Anyways, I enrolled with BBDC for my Class 3A license on the very last day of December 2017. Why BBDC? Welll, according to the traffic police website, BBDC is known to be the best driving school in Singapore, with the highest pass rate on the first try. Furthermore, I live in the west, so getting there was rather convenient.
Also, if you are wondering why I didn't pick up Class 3 instead, it is because I heard that Class 3A will be easier to pass the traffic police test and tbh, I do not think I have great coordination skills (hahaha). For Class 3, there will be the usage of the clutch and the problem of the car stalling. Personally, I don't see myself driving a manual car in the future and that most cars are now auto cars in Singapore, thus me picking the easier option.
GETTING TO BBDC
There are several ways to get to BBDC. The school provides the students with a free shuttle bus service to and fro Bukit Gombak MRT Station and BBDC, with a waiting time of around 20-30 minutes for each bus to arrive. The website provides the full schedule of the shuttle bus so do check it out if you plan on taking the shuttle bus from the MRT station.
Another way you could try is to walk from Bukit Gombak MRT station to BBDC. All you have to after tapping out of the MRT station is to turn left, and walk towards the Bukit Gombak Sports Stadium, then, all you have to do is to follow the MRT tracks! According to google maps, it is around a 1.0km walk and it will take around 12 minutes.
Lastly, you can also take the bus. There is a bus stop directly outside of BBDC and one opposite of the driving centre thus it is very convenient. Bus services includes 188, 985 and 991 which you can take from Choa Chu Kang bus interchange and 187 from Woodlands bus interchange.
Registration/Sign up
Make sure you have brought along your NRIC before enrolling for driving lessons! After you have reached BBDC, proceed to the information counter and wait for your turn. The lady will then pass you a queue number and ask you to complete a pre-enrolment online form where you have to fill up your particulars (name, date of birth, address, etc). When you are done, just wait for your turn and the counter staff will attend to you. Firstly, they will ask you if you would like to opt for Auto (Class 3A) or Manual (Class 3). They will then basically brief you through the entire process. You would also be needed to do an eye check up and a photo taking at the centre as well for the application of the Qualified Driving Licence (QDL) on the same day (yep, they just implemented this in Oct 2018, so from now on, we will need to take our passport photo with the centre instead of bringing our own passport size photo on the day of the TP test as our good luck charm and saving the $7)
The BBDC staff will also pass you a BBDC Practical Training Handbook (Manual/ Automatic Transmission, depending on what you have signed up). On the day I signed up, I asked the staff if I would be getting "The New Highway Code" Book 1 and 2 (the theory books), as I thought they have forgotten to put it in the bag for me (lol), but apparently, it is now sold separately and you have to purchase it on your own if you want it.
Next, you will have to top up some money into your BBDC account in order to start booking for theory lessons. The counter staff will guide you to the e-kiosks across the room and you can opt to top up with NETS or cashcard. The counter staff actually recommended me to top up $200 so that I would be able to start booking for the theory lessons and theory practice sessions, but personally, I think $100 will be enough to cover the first few lessons.
After all these administrative work is done, you will officially be enrolled with BBDC! The enrolment will last for 12 months, thus it will be best to get your licence within this timeframe as monthly renewals will be at $4.01 for each month you choose to extend your membership.
Theory Lessons, and BTT
After signing up with BBDC, you must be pumped up for this journey! I knew I was then, haha. For BBDC, it is compulsory for each student to go through 4 theory lessons, 2 for basic theory test (BTL 1.01 and BTL 1.02) and 2 for the final theory test (FTL 1.01 and FTL 1.02) . All you have to do is to login in to your BBDC account using your NRIC and password and look under "Theory Training". The order of you attending does not matter as long as you clear all the theory lessons (eg. you can go for BTL 1.02 first, followed by BTL 1.01). Each theory lesson is at $17.12.
I suggest finishing the theory lessons asap and to go for practice sessions. Remember to bring your NRIC for all the lessons as they will take your attendance by scanning your NRIC once before class starts, and once at the end of the class. Each lesson will last around 1 hour 40 minutes with a short break midway through it. Basically, they will just run through the basics of road safety and show you some videos. You can bring along a pen and a paper if you wanna take notes as well.
After your theory lessons, it is time to book your practice sessions and evaluation sessions. Each theory practice session cost $3.21 while each theory evaluation session cost $5.35 and they both 45 minutes each. Personally, I feel that it is important to book practice sessions as the questions are similar to the evaluation sessions and the actual BTT test. I read the old theory book (basic theory of driving) that was being passed down to me and it didn't work as I failed my evaluation. What is even funnier is that I booked my next evaluation immediately after, and I failed the second one too, lol, there goes by $10. Thus it is very important to practice, practice and practice!
In order to book for the actual Basic Theory Test, you will need to pass your evaluation (passing mark: 45/50) before the BBDC system allows you to book it. BBDC provides a total of 4 booklets, each with around 50 questions in them. So for each practice session you book, you can complete around 2 booklets. Alternatively, you can also search up "basictheorytestsg.com" as they provide a set of questions for you to practice on. I would say that the questions on the website tests your knowledge as well, but if you want a more accurate presentation of how the evaluation and the actual basic theory test is like, it is better for you to go for the practice sessions. These sessions are usually held at the third floor, room 6 or 7. After passing your evaluation, you will be ready to book for your actual basic theory test. The actually BTT will be at the cost of $6.50.
The earliest date which I can book for my BTT is around 2 months from the date I passed my evaluation (yes, it is a long wait). I actually booked one more practice session before my BTT so as to make sure that I will definitely pass my actual BTT (kiasu-ism). The actual test room will be located at level 2, directly in front of the staircase. Just remember to bring your NRIC and to keep calm when going in for the computerised test. The invigilator will also provide you with a piece of paper with your name and password on it for you to log in to the system. Most people will complete the test in around 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, you will be able to apply for your Provisional Driving Licence (PDL), congratulations!!
I suggest finishing the theory lessons asap and to go for practice sessions. Remember to bring your NRIC for all the lessons as they will take your attendance by scanning your NRIC once before class starts, and once at the end of the class. Each lesson will last around 1 hour 40 minutes with a short break midway through it. Basically, they will just run through the basics of road safety and show you some videos. You can bring along a pen and a paper if you wanna take notes as well.
After your theory lessons, it is time to book your practice sessions and evaluation sessions. Each theory practice session cost $3.21 while each theory evaluation session cost $5.35 and they both 45 minutes each. Personally, I feel that it is important to book practice sessions as the questions are similar to the evaluation sessions and the actual BTT test. I read the old theory book (basic theory of driving) that was being passed down to me and it didn't work as I failed my evaluation. What is even funnier is that I booked my next evaluation immediately after, and I failed the second one too, lol, there goes by $10. Thus it is very important to practice, practice and practice!
In order to book for the actual Basic Theory Test, you will need to pass your evaluation (passing mark: 45/50) before the BBDC system allows you to book it. BBDC provides a total of 4 booklets, each with around 50 questions in them. So for each practice session you book, you can complete around 2 booklets. Alternatively, you can also search up "basictheorytestsg.com" as they provide a set of questions for you to practice on. I would say that the questions on the website tests your knowledge as well, but if you want a more accurate presentation of how the evaluation and the actual basic theory test is like, it is better for you to go for the practice sessions. These sessions are usually held at the third floor, room 6 or 7. After passing your evaluation, you will be ready to book for your actual basic theory test. The actually BTT will be at the cost of $6.50.
The earliest date which I can book for my BTT is around 2 months from the date I passed my evaluation (yes, it is a long wait). I actually booked one more practice session before my BTT so as to make sure that I will definitely pass my actual BTT (kiasu-ism). The actual test room will be located at level 2, directly in front of the staircase. Just remember to bring your NRIC and to keep calm when going in for the computerised test. The invigilator will also provide you with a piece of paper with your name and password on it for you to log in to the system. Most people will complete the test in around 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, you will be able to apply for your Provisional Driving Licence (PDL), congratulations!!
Provisional Driving Licence (PDL)
In order to apply for your PDL, you will have to log on to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) e-services website using your SingPass account. BBDC will no longer be providing a hardcopy PDL to their students. After logging on to the website, all you have to do is to select the option to apply for PDL and to make payment via nets or credit card. After payment has been made, you will then be brought to a page which shows you the validity of your PDL (2 years wef from the date you have made payment). Remember to screenshot your PDL and keep it in your phone as you will need to show it to your driving instructor in every practical lesson and you will be ready to go!
In the next blog post, I'll be sharing more about FTT and the practical lessons.
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