Two men, aged 65 and 70, will be charged in court on 13 November 2024 for their suspected involvement in a case of giving driving instruction when not a holder of a valid instructor's licence and other traffic offences.
Investigations revealed that from December 2023 to April 2024, a 65-year-old man allegedly provided driving instruction to multiple learners without possessing a valid driving instructor's licence issued by the Traffic Police. A 70-year-old man, who has a valid instructor’s licence, was believed to have abetted the 65-year-old man in these unlawful activities.
The 65-year-old man purportedly conducted lessons at various locations across Singapore, charging students for services while misrepresenting himself as a qualified instructor. He is also accused of permitting an unlicensed individual to drive a vehicle without a valid driving licence during one of the lessons.
The 70-year-old man, despite being a licensed instructor, allegedly failed to maintain proper record books for students under his supervision, as required by law.
The 65-year-old man will be charged for:
- Giving driving instruction when not a holder of a valid instructor's licence punishable under Section 51(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, read with Section 124(4) of Criminal Procedure Code 2010;
Permitting driving without a licence under Section 35(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1961; and
- Permitting users of motor vehicles to be insured against third-party risks under Section 3(1)(a) of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act 1960.
The 70-year-old man will be charged for:
- Abetting one to give driving instruction when not a holder of a valid instructor's licence punishable under Section 51(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871 which is an amalgamated charge pursuant to Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010; and
- Contravening Rule 15(1) Road Traffic (Driving Instructor and Driving School) Rule and read with Rule 32 of the same Rule.
The offence of giving driving instruction when not a holder of a valid instructor's licence carries a fine of up to $2,000, or a jail term of up to 6 months, or both. The offender may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
The offence of permitting driving without a licence carries a fine of up to $10,000, or a jail term of up to 3 years, or both. The offender may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
The offence of permitting users of motor vehicles to be insured against third-party risks carries a fine of up to $1,000, or a jail term of up to 3 months, or both. The offender may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
The offence of abetting one to give driving instruction when not a holder of a valid instructor's licence carries a fine of up to $2,000, or a jail term of up to 6 months, or both. The offender may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
The offence of being a driving instructor failing to maintain a record book carries a fine of up to $1,000.
The public is advised to only take driving lessons from licensed driving instructors. To verify an instructor’s credentials, members of the public can check the SPF website at https://www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Traffic/Traffic-Matters/Waiting-Time-and-Passing-Rates-of-Theory-and-Practical-Tests, under “Contact of Licenced Private Driving Instructors”.
Members of the public are encouraged to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit a report online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness if they suspect or know of anyone who could be providing driving instruction without a licence.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 November 2024 @ 8:45 PM