Free Singapore TDVL Exam Flashcards
Memorize 50 essential terms and definitions for the Singapore Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL) Test. See the term, recall the definition, then flip to check yourself.
Name both vehicle classes a TDVL holder may use for chauffeured point-to-point work.
It authorises chauffeured point-to-point services using either a taxi or a private hire car, subject to the operating rules for the vehicle being used.
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About These Singapore TDVL Flashcards
These 50 flashcards are designed to help you memorize key terms and definitions for the Singapore Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL) Test. Each card shows a term on the front and its definition on the back—the classic flashcard format for vocabulary memorization. Use these alongside our practice questions to build both recall and comprehension.
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Complete Flashcard Reference
Review every term in this set. Open any term to reveal its definition.
Name both vehicle classes a TDVL holder may use for chauffeured point-to-point work.
It authorises chauffeured point-to-point services using either a taxi or a private hire car, subject to the operating rules for the vehicle being used.
Why is a Class 3 or 3A licence not a substitute for TDVL?
Class 3 or 3A authorises driving the relevant vehicle class; TDVL is the separate vocational authority needed to provide taxi or private-hire chauffeured services for reward.
What citizenship and age conditions apply to a direct TDVL applicant?
The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen and at least 30 years old when applying.
How long must a TDVL applicant have held a Class 3 or 3A Singapore driving licence?
For more than 1 year; merely having just obtained the underlying driving licence is not enough.
What published evidence can satisfy the TDVL basic-English requirement?
A GCE O-Level or N-Level English pass at D7 or better, an accepted equivalent, or Workplace Literacy Level 3 in Listening, Reading and Speaking.
A self-employed applicant meets the age and driving-licence conditions but has outstanding MediSave contributions. What remains unresolved?
The applicant must be up to date with MediSave contributions as part of the application requirements.
In a direct TDVL application, what does Approval to Attend Course, or ATC, allow the applicant to do next?
In the direct application path, it allows the applicant to complete the required medical steps and register with an appointed training provider for the TDVL course and assessment path.
What medical evidence follows ATC in a direct TDVL application?
A direct applicant must complete a medical examination and chest X-ray. From 2 February 2026, the examining doctor submits the Health and Medical Examination Report digitally to LTA.
What does the current 12-hour figure mean in the direct TDVL path?
It is the official direct-course training duration effective 24 February 2025. It is not the duration of the TDVL test.
What test-format fact does LTA publish for TDVL, and which key numbers remain unpublished?
LTA publishes that the TDVL assessment has three papers. It does not publish the per-paper item counts, total item count, time limit, passing score or topic weights.
How does the current PDVL-to-TDVL conversion path differ from a new direct TDVL path?
An eligible valid PDVL holder takes the 5-hour conversion course effective 24 February 2025, and the converted TDVL keeps the original PDVL's remaining validity rather than starting a fresh 3-year term.
Which vehicle types may TDVL and PDVL holders use for chauffeured services?
TDVL: taxi or private hire car. PDVL: private hire car only.
What is a street-hail service in Singapore's P2P framework?
A taxi service obtained by flagging down a taxi on the street or taking one from a taxi stand or taxi stop.
What is a ride-hail service?
A point-to-point trip booked by phone or application; licensed ride-hail services may arrange taxi or private-hire-car trips.
May a private hire car accept a passenger who flags it down on the street?
No. A private hire car trip must be booked through a licensed or exempt ride-hail service provider; street-hail service is for taxis.
May a private hire car pick up or drop off passengers at a taxi stand?
No. Private hire cars may use lawful P2P stops, other permitted passenger pick-up points or building driveways, but not taxi stands.
How can road users identify a chauffeured private hire car?
It must display the required 'Private Hire' identification decals at the front and rear of the vehicle.
What child-restraint distinction matters when a TDVL holder drives a private hire car?
A private hire car must use an appropriate child restraint or booster seat for a passenger below 1.35 metres. The taxi exemption must not be carried over to a private hire car.
At what stage must an application disclose a flat price for a taxi or private-hire-car trip?
The flat fare must be clearly shown upfront in the application before the passenger confirms the booking.
Does holding TDVL turn a private hire car into a taxi for operating-rule purposes?
No. TDVL authorises the driver to use either vehicle type, but a private hire car remains subject to private-hire rules such as no street hails and no taxi-stand boarding.
Break a taxi's final charge into the four fare layers a passenger may see.
The flag-down fare, distance-and-waiting-time charges, applicable surcharges, and a booking fee when the trip is booked.
How can a booked taxi trip be priced under LTA's P2P framework?
A passenger may book a taxi trip charged by the meter or accept a flat fare displayed upfront through the ride-hail service.
Which route should a taxi driver use when the passenger gives no different instruction and no reasonable cause requires a detour?
The shortest and most direct route to the named destination.
When may a taxi driver start the taximeter?
Only after every passenger has boarded and the driver has accepted the hiring; starting it before boarding is not permitted.
When must a taxi driver stop the taximeter?
As soon as the hiring is terminated.
May a taxi driver reset the taximeter while the same hiring is still in progress?
No. The driver must not reset the meter during the hiring.
What condition must the taximeter be in before a taxi is plied for hire?
It must be correctly adjusted, in proper working order and sealed as required; the driver must not use a defective or tampered meter.
Where must a taxi driver avoid stopping to pick up or set down passengers?
In an operating bus lane, within 9 metres of a bus stop, or where signs, road markings or other traffic rules prohibit stopping.
How should a taxi enter and advance through a taxi stand queue?
Enter from the rear and move through the available spaces toward the front without exceeding the stand's capacity or obstructing other taxis.
How should a TDVL holder use a navigation application during a trip?
Use it as a route-planning aid, while still applying legal stopping rules, road signs, safety judgement and any lawful passenger route preference.
May a taxi driver refuse to convey a passenger without a reasonable excuse?
No. Refusal without a reasonable excuse is prohibited and is also a scheduled VLPS offence.
A hiring has begun, but the driver wants the passenger to leave before the agreed destination. What rule applies?
Not without a reasonable excuse. The driver must not terminate the hiring or require the passenger to leave before reaching the destination merely for convenience.
May a driver carry another person or article during a hiring without the hirer's consent?
No. A taxi or private-hire driver needs the hirer's consent before carrying an additional person or article during that hiring.
What conduct toward a passenger is expressly prohibited even if no physical contact occurs?
Insulting, intimidating or harassing the passenger, including sexual harassment, is prohibited.
May a taxi or private hire car be used to collect and deliver unaccompanied cargo as a courier job?
Only with the Registrar's prior approval. Cargo without an accompanying hirer or passenger is treated as courier pickup or delivery for this rule.
How should a vocational-licence holder respond to an authorised officer carrying out lawful vehicle or licence duties?
Cooperate and do not obstruct the officer; obstruction is a scheduled VLPS offence.
Where should ordinary property found in a taxi be deposited?
As soon as reasonably practicable: with the designated employee if the taxi is owned by a specified company; otherwise at the Registrar's office or a police station. Special items such as weapons, drugs or more than S$1,000 have the separate destinations stated in the conduct rules.
May a TDVL holder lend the vocational licence to another person?
No. Only the licensee may use the licence; allowing another person to use or possess it is a serious VLPS offence.
What should a driver do when a passenger asks to stop at an unsafe or prohibited location?
Decline that exact stop, explain the safety or legal restriction, and use the nearest lawful pick-up or drop-off point.
How do the road markings distinguish a P2P stop from a taxi stop under the current conduct rules?
A P2P stop is indicated by blue lines; a taxi stop is indicated by yellow lines. Drivers must still follow the vehicle type and sign restrictions at each stop.
When are VLPS points awarded for a scheduled offence?
After the vocational-licence holder is convicted of the offence or the offence is compounded; an allegation alone is not the point-award event.
What period does the VLPS use to count relevant demerit points?
A rolling 24-month relevant period ending on the date of the latest scheduled offence.
What suspension bands apply when a driver accumulates 6 to 20 VLPS points in the relevant period?
6-10 points: 2 weeks; 11-15: 4 weeks; 16-20: 8 weeks. More than 20 points may instead lead to revocation.
What may happen when a vocational-licence holder accumulates more than 20 VLPS points in the relevant period?
The Registrar may revoke the vocational licence.
What opportunity must precede a VLPS suspension or revocation decision?
The holder must receive written notice and at least 14 days to make written representations to the Registrar.
How many VLPS points apply to a taxi fare overcharge based on the amount improperly charged?
An overcharge of less than S$20 carries 12 points; an overcharge of S$20 or more carries 21 points.
How many VLPS points apply to tampering with a taximeter?
21 points, reflecting that meter tampering is treated as a serious scheduled offence.
What are the normal TDVL validity period and the statutory maximum age?
The licence is normally valid for 3 years, with shorter validity from age 67; the statutory maximum age for a driving vocational licence is 75.
Map the two TDVL refresher-course tracks by cadence and duration.
Once every 6 years. Active drivers with a good VLPS record take the 3-hour course; other drivers take the 5-hour course.
Which Singapore point-to-point vehicles may provide passenger service across the Singapore-Malaysia border?
Only licensed Singapore or Malaysian cross-border taxis. Private hire cars may not provide cross-border passenger service for hire or reward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TDVL test the same as Singapore's Class 3 or 3A driving test?
No. A Class 3 or 3A Singapore driving licence held for more than 1 year is an entry requirement. TDVL is a separate vocational licence for providing chauffeured services using taxis or private hire cars.
What is the difference between TDVL and PDVL?
A TDVL holder may provide chauffeured services using a taxi or a private hire car. A PDVL holder may provide those services using a private hire car only. The vehicle's own operating rules still apply.
How many questions are on the TDVL test, how long is it, and what is the pass mark?
LTA's official material identifies three assessment papers but does not publish the item count, exam duration or passing score. The 12-hour figure is the current direct-course training duration, not the test time.
Are the five flashcard topics official LTA paper weights?
No. LTA does not publish topic weights or enough paper-level detail to calculate a weighted 50-card blueprint. These cards therefore use a disclosed neutral allocation of 10 cards, or 20%, in each of five official-source study domains.
Who may apply directly for TDVL?
The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen aged at least 30, have held a valid Singapore Class 3 or 3A licence for more than 1 year, meet English, MediSave, criminal-record and medical requirements, and complete the LTA application and training path.
How long is current TDVL training?
From 24 February 2025, LTA reduced direct TDVL training from 16 hours to 12 hours and the PDVL-to-TDVL conversion course from 8 hours to 5 hours. Those are course durations, not examination time limits.
How soon can a candidate retake a failed TDVL paper?
LTA does not publish a fixed retake interval or a separate rule after three failures on its public TDVL pages. Candidates should follow the reassessment instructions from the appointed test provider rather than assume a number of days.
How long is a TDVL valid?
It is normally valid for 3 years. Shorter validity applies from age 67, the statutory maximum age for a driving vocational licence is 75, and TDVL holders must complete refresher training once every 6 years.
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