What happens after your license has been revoked?

Singapore has very little leniency when it comes to those violating traffic provisions. We run on a demerit points system, and depending on what type of offense you commit, you can face different types of punishments. It can be as straightforward as having points deducted and paying a fine, or as serious as having your license revoked and suspended. 

Read more: The rundown on Singapore’s demerit points system

First, let’s address the different types of punishments when charged with a traffic offense. 

1. Minor traffic offense with a composite of fine 

If you’ve committed a minor infraction with a composite fine, a Notice of Traffic Offence will be sent to you  stating what you’ve been charged with. The notice will state an offer of composition, which is the sum you have to pay to settle the notice without going to court. 

You can make the payment through various different channels. Further information on these methods of payments are available at the Singapore Police Force’s website.

Read more: How to renew your license in Singapore 

2. Minor traffic offence without an offer of composition

For this type of offense with no offer of composition, you’ll receive a Notice to Attend Court. This means you’ll have to attend Traffic Court on the date stated on your notice. The offence will be heard before a judge. 

After your court appearance, you’ll be given a Payment Advice by the Court Officer. You’ll then have to use the Payment Advice to make payment at the Automated Collection System kiosks located in the Finance Section and Crime Registry at Level 1 of the State Courts.

3. Serious traffic offence without an offer of composition

For serious traffic offences where death or injury has been caused, there is no offer of composition. These types of offenses may include reckless driving, negligent driving, and are classified as an arrestable offence. 

The police will likely detain you and ask for your statement as they investigate your offence. After 48 hours, you will make your first appearance at the Criminal Mentions Court. At this point, you will be formally charged with the offence and advised to hire a criminal defence lawyer who will guide you through the relevant procedures and consequences. 

Under this system, your license can be suspended or revoked, depending on your status as a driver and how many points you’ve accumulated. 

Not sure what the status of your license is? Check it out here.

So you had your license revoked? What happens next?

For new or probationary drivers

If you accumulate 13 or more demerit points during your probationary period of 1 year, your driving license can be revoked and become invalid for good without any chance of renewals. This means you’ll also have to retake all the necessary driving tests in order to obtain a license to drive a vehicle again. Sorry folks, better drive safe!  

For non-probationary drivers 

If you have no previous suspension record and accumulated 24 or more demerit points within 24 consecutive months, your driving license will be liable for a first suspension of 12 weeks. \

After the first suspension, the suspension periods are as follows:

(a) 2nd suspension: 24 weeks

(b) 3rd suspension: 1 year

(c) 4th suspension: 2 years

(d) 5th suspension (onwards): 3 years

If the suspension period is more than a year, your license will become revoked and invalid. You’ll have to retake all the necessary driving tests before you can obtain a license again. 

Demerit points don’t last forever. So if you drive safely and don’t rack up any further demerit points within 12 months of your latest conviction, then your points will bee reset.

Suspension is one way that the police or court can take away your license. However, your license can also be disqualified. This is something that happens to you, so whether or not you have a current license, you will not be allowed to have or obtain a driver’s license for the period of the disqualification. If you do have a current license, the effect of the disqualification is also to suspend that license. While they’re very similar punishments, it’s important to understand the difference. 

In both cases, you will be suspended from driving for a period of time. 

So, what do you do next? 

Your license has been taken away, and you’ve been given a suspension period. For those with 12-week suspensions, it’s easy enough to go back to driving. But for those who’ve committed more serious offenses, suspensions can easily last for longer than a year. 

This means that when your suspension period is over, you’ll have to redo all your driving tests to get a license to make sure you’re up to the task of driving again. 

However, if you’ve been suspended for more than a year, or maybe even longer, what do you do with your car? It’s difficult to keep a car collecting dust and it’ll likely be in your best interest to have someone else cover the cost. This can mean transferring ownership to someone you know, or just selling your car. 

So, if you find yourself in a position where you’re unable to drive for a long period of time, why not sell to Carro? It’s quick, easy, and efficient. All you have to do is submit your details to us. We’ll auction your car to 1,000 of our dealers and get you the best price guaranteed. 

Why sell anywhere else when you can sell with Carro?