Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on the Number of Persons who have Been Rejected in Driving Licence Applications Because of Their Mental Illness in the Past Five Years, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) in the past five years, how many persons have been rejected in driving licence applications because of their mental illness; and (b) how does the Ministry determine the types of mental disorders that bar a person from applying for a driving licence as defined under Rule 8 of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licenses) Rules.

Answer:

1.    Between 2018 and 2020, 31 persons were prohibited from taking the driving tests to obtain a driving licence as they were suffering from a mental disorder. This constituted 0.014% of all the applicants in that period. TP does not have data prior to 2018, before the implementation of online application for the Provisional Driving Licence.

2.    When applying for a driving licence, should an individual indicate that he is suffering from a mental disorder, or if there is reason to believe that the person may have mental disorder, then there will be a requirement to undergo a medical assessment. A doctor will assess if he is fit to drive based on guidelines stipulated by the Singapore Medical Association. He will be allowed to take the driving tests only if the doctor certifies that he is fit to drive.