Losing your wallet is stressful enough without worrying about whether you can still drive to work tomorrow. The good news about a lost driving licence in Singapore is that your licence itself is not lost. Your driving entitlement sits on the Traffic Police’s records, and the plastic card is only proof of it. Today, most drivers can also show a digital version on their phone. This guide explains what to do first, how the digital licence works, when a physical card is still useful, and how to request a replacement.
First Steps When Your Licence Goes Missing
Before anything else, work out whether the card is simply misplaced or likely stolen.
- Retrace your steps: Check your car, workplace, last few shops and any lost-and-found counters at malls or MRT stations.
- If your wallet was stolen: Make a police report through the Singapore Police Force’s online e-services or at a Neighbourhood Police Centre. A report is especially sensible if other identity documents, such as your NRIC or bank cards, were taken too.
- Cancel bank cards: Call your banks immediately if cards were in the same wallet.
- Check your NRIC: If your NRIC is also missing, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) handles that replacement separately.
You do not need to stop driving just because the card is gone, as long as your licence is valid and you can produce it when asked. That is where the digital licence comes in.
Using the Digital Driving Licence
Singapore driving licence holders can view a digital driving licence through official government apps, most notably the Singpass app. Depending on current arrangements, it may also be viewable in other government apps, so check the Traffic Police website for the latest list.
To get started:
- Download the official Singpass app from the App Store or Google Play, and log in with your Singpass account.
- Look for the digital cards or profile section, where your driving licence details appear once linked to your NRIC or FIN.
- Check that your name, licence classes and validity are correct. If anything looks wrong, contact the Traffic Police.
Tips for using it day to day:
- Keep your phone charged when driving, especially on long trips.
- Avoid screenshots as your proof. Officers and businesses may want to see the live digital licence in the official app rather than an image.
- Update the app regularly so the digital card displays properly.
The digital licence is generally accepted for local checks such as Traffic Police enforcement. Car rental and car-sharing companies set their own rules on what they accept, so check with the operator before you book.
When You Still Need a Physical Card
For many drivers, the digital version is enough at home. A physical card still helps in a few situations.
- Driving overseas: Foreign authorities and rental counters generally cannot verify a Singapore digital licence. Many countries also expect an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your licence. In Singapore, IDPs are issued by the Automobile Association of Singapore. Check the rules of the country you are visiting before you travel.
- Places with poor reception or strict phone rules: Some sites may ask you to show a card rather than a phone.
- Personal preference: Some older drivers simply find a card easier.
If none of these apply, you may decide you do not need a new card at all. Whether a physical card is still issued by default, on request or only in certain cases has changed over time, so read the Traffic Police guidance before you apply.
Physical Replacement Versus Digital Licence
| Point | Digital licence | Physical replacement card |
|---|---|---|
| How you get it | View in the official app after logging in with Singpass | Apply online via Police e-services, or as directed by Traffic Police |
| Cost | No charge to view | A replacement fee may apply; check the current amount |
| Wait time | Immediate once set up | Takes time to process and deliver or collect |
| Use in Singapore | Generally accepted for local checks | Accepted |
| Use overseas | Usually not recognised | Accepted where Singapore licences are recognised, often with an IDP |
| Main risk | Flat phone or app issues | Can be lost again |
How to Apply for a Replacement Card
Replacement requests are handled by the Traffic Police, part of the Singapore Police Force, not by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The usual route is online.
- Go to the Singapore Police Force e-services portal and find the driving licence services section.
- Log in with Singpass. You will need your own account; family members cannot apply on your behalf without proper authorisation.
- Choose the replacement option and state that the card was lost, stolen or damaged.
- Upload a photo if asked. Follow the photo requirements closely, as poor photos are a common reason for delays.
- Pay the fee using the payment methods offered.
- Note how you will receive the card, whether by mail or collection, and keep the acknowledgement.
Fees, processing times and whether you must attend in person can change. The Traffic Police website and the Police e-services portal are the authoritative sources. If you cannot apply online, for example because you do not have Singpass, contact Traffic Police for alternatives.
If your old card turns up after you have applied, do not use both. Follow Traffic Police instructions on what to do with the old card.
Special Cases Worth Knowing
Your licence is about to expire. Most Singapore Qualified Driving Licences are valid until a certain age and then need renewal. If your card is lost close to that point, it may make sense to deal with renewal rather than just replacement. See our guide to renewing your Singapore driving licence.
You are on probation. Newly qualified drivers on a probationary licence face extra rules, including displaying a probation plate. Losing the card does not change those rules. Our guide to probationary driving licence rules has the details.
You converted a foreign licence. Once converted, your Singapore licence works like any other, so the replacement process is the same. Your original foreign licence is a separate document handled by the issuing country.
Your vehicle documents are missing too. If the same wallet held your vehicle log card details, see how to replace a lost vehicle log card, which is handled by LTA.
Your licence is suspended. A replacement card does not lift a suspension. You cannot drive until the suspension ends and any conditions are met.
Avoiding a Repeat
- Set up the digital licence now, even if you still have your card.
- Keep a note of your licence number and classes somewhere secure.
- Store your physical card separately from your NRIC when travelling, so one loss does not take everything.
- Before overseas trips, check the expiry dates on your licence and IDP together.
A lost driving licence in Singapore is usually a minor hassle rather than a crisis. With the digital licence on your phone, you can keep driving locally while you decide whether you really need a new card.
Official sources: OneMotoring
Further reading: How to Apply for a Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) in Singapore · Can Tourists Drive in Singapore With an Overseas Licence?