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Probationary Plate Requirements
The requirement for new riders or drivers to display a distinctive plate, sign or mark is not new. Countries like Australia, Japan and New Zealand require it for new motorists riding or driving within the probation period.
Traffic Police accident statistics for the past 3 years reveal that newly qualified riders and drivers with less than a year's riding or driving experience are more prone to accidents.
On average, the accident rate involving probationary riders and drivers is about 2.6 to 3.2 times that of all riders and drivers. Specifically, the accident rate of probationary Class 2B riders is about 4 to 4.5 times higher than that of all Class 2B riders whilst the accident rate of probationary Class 3 drivers is about 1.6 to 1.8 times that of all Class 3 drivers.
The new 'Probation' plate requirement has been introduced to reduce the vulnerability of new Class 2B riders and Class 3 drivers to accidents.
Who are affected?
Only new Class 2B and Class 3 licence holders are affected by it. New licence holders refer to those who have held their licence for less than a year.
The requirement applies only to new Class 2B riders and new Class 3 drivers, including those still serving their one-year probation period when the legislation comes into effect on 1 September 1994.
New Class 2B and Class 3 foreign licence holders who "convert" their licences to a local one will also be affected by this requirement. However, foreign licence holders who have more than a year’s driving or riding experience will not be subjected to this requirement. They would however continue to be subjected to the requirement that they not accumulate more than 12 demerit points over their one-year probation period.
How will ‘probation’ plates benefits us?
New licence holders often have no chance for "on-the-road" orientation when they switch from vehicles with ‘L’ plates to "normal" ones. And other motorists cannot recognise them as being "new" on the road. Tempers fly when a new rider or driver makes a mistake, which has sometimes resulted in verbal abuse and even road bullying. Or worse, the use of ‘Probation’ plates will alert other motorists to be more forgiving and generous about road space when around new riders or drivers. Also, the new riders and drivers themselves will be reminded to obey the rules from a very early stage.
How to display the ‘probation’ plate for new class 3 (motor car) drivers
- Display one plate at the top right portion of the front windscreen, and the other plate at the top right portion of the rear windscreen.
- Fix the plates onto the windscreens by mounting each plate on one or two plastic suction cups, which are connected through the openings provided in the plate.
- Press the cups firmly to ensure that the plate is securely fixed onto the windscreen.
- Check or adjust the plates to make sure that your view is not obstructed.
For new Class 2B (Motorcycle) riders
- Display one plate above or below the front headlight, and the other plate above or below the rear licence plate.
- Secure the plate to a suitable part of the motorcycle using the nylon cable ties through the openings provided in the plate.
- Ensure that the front headlight and rear licence plates are not obstructed by the plates.
Penalty
Those who fail to display the 'Probation' plates as required will be fined S$120.00. Repeat offenders will have their licences revoked.
Final road safety reminder from Traffic Police
The ‘Probation’ plate requirement is not to punish you; it is for your own safety. It gives an early warning to other motorists to allow you more road space to manoeuvre and to be more tolerant and forgiving to you as you pick up additional road skills and experience. At the end of your 1-year probation period, please remember to remove the ‘Probation’ plates.
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