Bus Driver Vocational Licence (BDVL)

[ScottyWittyKow]

Hi All.

Is been sometime since I post about my journey about attaining Class 4 driving license in 2022. So today, I will be sharing some information about Bus Driver Vocational License (BDVL), which I just recently completed and passed.

 

I went to ComfortDelgro Pte Ltd (600 Sin Ming Avenue Citycab Building) to register the BDVL course during early Dec 2024. Apparently, why I go there instead of any driving centers like SSDC, CDC and BBDC because it seems like all the driving centers also have BDVL but cannot use SkillsFuture credits to pay for the course. If not, I would have register the BDVL course at CDC which is nearer to where I stayed.

 

Registration for the course is at Level 1. Just have to take a queue number and wait for your turn to be call. Only 2 attendants are available, so waiting times can be long.

 

The course comprises of 2 days theory lessons and 1 day theory test. I will talk more about the details on the course and test later on.

 

When my turn came, I took the opportunity to ask the person to help me register the course via SkillsFuture credits. Before registration, it will be best if you have your Identification card, driving license and passport photo with you as all these are required for the registration. IIRC, I believed they also check your educational level certificate to verify that you can understand basic English or something. (For example, they check my O level certificate must at least D7 and/or above).

 

So after register for the BDVL course at ComfortDelgro Pte Ltd, first thing you need to do is to go for the medical check-up. It will be good if you can book the appointment after the registration so that medical result can be submitted before the course start date.

 

The person will provide you the medical check-up form by LTA, and you will need to bring this form to the medical clinic for the check-up. You MUST go to the clinic that provides Chest X-ray. The check-up consists of the followings: Eye-sight check, Color Blindness check, Blood pressure, Chest X-ray. After all these are done, the medical examiner will sign off the medical form and stamp their clinic stamp on the form. This form, you will need to submit back to the place where you register the course from (For me, I registered at ComfortDelgro Pte Ltd, so I have to go back there to submit the medical form to them).

 

I am not sure about other course locations, but for ComfortDelgro some of the dates are weekends and the test is on a Monday. so for working adults like me, I think is option is the best. So I chose 04 & 05 Jan 2025 (Sat & Sun) for the course, 06 Jan (Mon) for the test.

 

The 2 days course lessons basically touch based on what are the different types of buses and what are the requirements for the bus driver before they can operate the bus. Different buses such as Private Bus, Private Hire Bus, School Bus, Excursion Bus and so on and all these buses have different license plate starting with PC, PZ, PA PB, PD orCB etc...

 

They also covered topics like traffic road signs, very much similar to your Basic Theory Test (BTT) & Final Theory Test (FTT). For example, what are the 5 traffic signs, they are Prohibited signs, Mandatory signs, Warning signs, Information sign, Directional sign. Then they also covered parkings, such as single, double parallel lines, single and double Zigzag lines, what are the Do's and Don'ts etc..

 

They also covered topics such as what are the ways to overtake a vehicles, what are the types of accidents and what are the forces (frictional force, centrifugal force, etc..)

 

I won't focus much on the topics as all these will be taught during the 2 days lessons. After the lessons, the test will be usually on the following day.

 

After the 2 days lessons, you will be given the Certificate of Participation by ComfortDelgro.

 

As for the test, there will be 50 MCQs. 3 answers per question. Just have to circle the correct answer. There will be different booklets issued to everyone, so sitting side by side won't be able to copy each other answers as the questions will be different altogether. It is a 1 hour test.

 

After the test, you can submit the paper and the invigilator will mark your paper on the spot while you can wait outside. Once done, if you pass, you will be issue a temporary BDVL (a slip of paper) that you may start driving a bus.

 

By the way, this BDVL is different from the Omnibus you take public bus outside (Class 4A) license, as their licence a bit special because the driver works for the company. Once the driver quit, the Class 4A will return to the company. But the BDVL is valid for 3 years. Every 3 years must renew. Once hit the age of 50-65, every 2 years must go medical check up. After 65 years old, every year must go medical check up. (This info came out in the test).

 

Now LTA no longer issue physical vocational licence card already. Everything all digital and will reflect in your Singpass account. Just have to wait for LTA to update in a few days. If you wish to have the physical vocational licence, you may pay SGD 21.80 for the card to mail to you within 20 working days or something. That card will have your passport photo (which I mentioned is either you took a recent passport photo / the person took your photo on the day you register for your course), Name, NRIC etc..then behind which state what is your vocational licence type (Bus, taxi etc..)

 

For those who are not well verse in English, not to worry as the test will comprises of English and Chinese. A lot of my course mates were old uncles who were not good in English were actually worried that they have difficulty in passing the test.

 

However, the irony part is that the booklet for the lessons is all in English. The test actually is very simple one, very easy to pass actually.

 

A gentle reminder that the 2nd batch of SkillsFuture credits will expire 31 Dec 2025. Those who did not utilise them, is best to do so now.

 

Yup, that is about it. Will create another topic about Class 5 driving course which I did not complete it in 2023 due to work commitment and also hesitating whether do I want to continue again.

 

Edited January 8 by ScottyWittyKow
Adding pictures

[kobayashiGT]

You need a class 4 license then can take this vocational license right?

 

[ScottyWittyKow]

@kobayashiGT - Pertaining to your question, not necessary.
 

The requirement are as follows:

i. As Singaporean,
- Be at least 21 years old;
- Hold a valid class 3 Singapore driving licence for a continuous period of at least one year at the point of application;
- Pass LTA's required medical examination and background checks
ii. As Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR),
- Hold a valid class 3/3A Singapore driving licence for at least a continuous period of one year at the point of application;
- Pass LTA's required medical examination and background checks;
iii. As Foreign Work Pass (FWP) holder,
- Hold a valid class 3/3A Singapore driving licence for at least a continuous period of one year at the point of application;
- Pass LTA's required medical examination and background checks;
- Be an employee with a Bus Company and produce a copy of your Work Permit (stating "Bus Driver" as Vocation), Employment Letter (stating that "you are employed as a Bus Driver) at the point of application 

[Battledome64]

On 1/8/2025 at 3:07 PM, ScottyWittyKow said:

@kobayashiGT - Pertaining to your question, not necessary.
 

The requirement are as follows:

i. As Singaporean,
- Be at least 21 years old;
- Hold a valid class 3 Singapore driving licence for a continuous period of at least one year at the point of application;
- Pass LTA's required medical examination and background checks
ii. As Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR),
- Hold a valid class 3/3A Singapore driving licence for at least a continuous period of one year at the point of application;
- Pass LTA's required medical examination and background checks;
iii. As Foreign Work Pass (FWP) holder,
- Hold a valid class 3/3A Singapore driving licence for at least a continuous period of one year at the point of application;
- Pass LTA's required medical examination and background checks;
- Be an employee with a Bus Company and produce a copy of your Work Permit (stating "Bus Driver" as Vocation), Employment Letter (stating that "you are employed as a Bus Driver) at the point of application 

Thanks for the info. With this lisence can become SBS driver? School bus driver etc?

[ScottyWittyKow]

On 1/8/2025 at 4:40 PM, Battledome64 said:

Thanks for the info. With this lisence can become SBS driver? School bus driver etc?

@Battledome64 - According to the instructor, I was informed that the BDVL only applies to the following buses:

1. Private hire bus

2. Excursion bus

3. School bus

(Please refer to the attached picture, as it stated on the temp vocational licence)

 

The so-called public bus vocation licence is Omnibus Vocational Licence (Class 4A).

 

This Class 4A vocational licence, you must join & work for the company, then you will be send for training, drive the actual bus for orientation, before you can drive the public bus yourself. 
 

If you quit, the Class 4A must surrender to the company and it will be void. 

[Lala81]

Most interesting thread in a long while. 

Can share why you want to take bus exam? Given the much stronger preference towards PHV driving among local vocational drivers. 

Local drivers are definitely in demand. 

Edited January 8 by Lala81

[Benarsenal]

How much is the course fee?

[Mkl22]

On 1/8/2025 at 7:13 PM, Lala81 said:

Most interesting thread in a long while. 

Can share why you want to take bus exam? Given the much stronger preference towards PHV driving among local vocational drivers. 

Local drivers are definitely in demand. 

He probably has PHV already. 

[Lala81]

On 1/8/2025 at 8:33 PM, Mkl22 said:

He probably has PHV already. 

Lol Didn't think of that when I asked. Haha. 

[mersaylee]

On 1/8/2025 at 7:13 PM, Lala81 said:

Most interesting thread in a long while. 

Can share why you want to take bus exam? Given the much stronger preference towards PHV driving among local vocational drivers. 

Local drivers are definitely in demand. 

As PhD you look for your passengers while as BD passengers look for you...😁

[Mkl22]

On 1/8/2025 at 8:34 PM, Lala81 said:

Lol Didn't think of that when I asked. Haha. 

Middle age syndrome. Some buy toys, some go take licenses, some go study, some travel, some look for mistress, some TCSS here.! 🤣

Edited January 8 by Mkl22

[ScottyWittyKow]

On 1/8/2025 at 7:13 PM, Lala81 said:

Most interesting thread in a long while. 

Can share why you want to take bus exam? Given the much stronger preference towards PHV driving among local vocational drivers. 

Local drivers are definitely in demand. 

@Lala81 - BDVL is much easier to pass. As for TDVL/PDVL, I did applied before, but due to work commitment, I didn’t attend the course. $40 fly away. 

That time the trainer for BDVL got mentioned that TDVL/PDVL harder to pass. Must remember DIPS as it will be tested in the theory test. And the test is 30 mins only, as compared to BDVL which is 1 hour. 

[ScottyWittyKow]

On 1/8/2025 at 8:33 PM, Mkl22 said:

He probably has PHV already. 

@Mkl22 - Actually no. I don’t have PDVL. No car. Sadded.

[ScottyWittyKow]

On 1/8/2025 at 8:06 PM, Benarsenal said:

How much is the course fee?

@Benarsenal -

BDVL: $109 incl GST

TDVL: $225 incl GST

Edited January 8 by ScottyWittyKow

[13177]

On 1/8/2025 at 8:45 PM, Mkl22 said:

Middle age syndrome. Some buy toys, some go take licenses, some go study, some travel, some look for mistress, some TCSS here.! 🤣

True, i have plan to go take PHV licence just for fun since can use SkillsFuture credits. But so far say only but still never take any action. Lol.

Anyway, didn't know even obtained BDVL, if want to drive for public bus, still have to go take Omnibus Vocational Licence, so troublesome. Lol. But whatever the case, i have no interest to drive a bus cause i cannot handle such a big vehicle. 😅

[13177]

On 1/8/2025 at 9:59 PM, ScottyWittyKow said:

@Benarsenal -

BDVL: $109 incl GST

TDVL: $225 incl GST

TDVL course so much ex than BDVL? Why siah.

[ScottyWittyKow]

On 1/8/2025 at 10:22 PM, 13177 said:

TDVL course so much ex than BDVL? Why siah.

@13177 - Sorry typo error. I made an amendment (attached) as follows:

BDVL: $100 exclusive GST

TDVL: $225 exclusive GST

Why so expensive? Hmm. Only LTA will knows because they are the one charging this course fee.

[107fan]

So what is the motivation to drive a bus? And what type of bus?