P-Plate Rules in Singapore and a New Driver Car Kit (2026)

By nearme.sg Editorial Team

Short answer: after you pass, you are on probation for one year from the date your licence is granted. For that year you must display the P plate at the top right of the front and rear windscreens, and your licence can be revoked at 13 or more demerit points (12 or more from 1 January 2027). The kit below helps you stay calm, legal and covered in that first year.

Quick picks

The new-driver car kit

1. P plates (one front, one rear)

P plates, set of 2

It is the one item the law requires, and a set of two covers both windscreens.

Best for: the P-plate display rule

• Set of 2: one front, one rear
• Keep a spare in the glovebox in case one falls off in a car wash
• Static-cling or suction types are easier to move if you share the family car with a non-P driver

Price on Shopee: S$4.99, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

2. Phone mount: Baseus PrimeTrip VC2 Flex Magnetic Car Mount

Under the Road Traffic Act, holding a phone and using it while the car is moving is an offence. A first offence carries a fine of up to S$1,000, up to 6 months’ jail, or both.

Baseus PrimeTrip VC2 Flex Magnetic Car Mount (Suction Cup Version, 20N)

A mount at eye level lets you follow Google Maps or Waze without picking the phone up.

Best for: hands-free navigation

• Magnetic mount with a suction cup
• Rated 20N in the listing title
• Place it where it does not block your view or the airbag area

Price on Shopee: about S$12 (S$11.73, 11.11 sale price), checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

3. Portable tyre inflator: Xiaomi Portable Electric Air Compressor 2

Xiaomi Portable Electric Air Compressor 2

A slow puncture or low tyre warning on the PIE is stressful; a compact inflator lets you top up and reach a workshop.

Best for: low tyre pressure on the road

• Top up to the pressure on your door sticker
• Reads pressure digitally
• Stops at the preset level

Price on Shopee: S$59.90, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

4. Reflective warning triangle

Reflective warning triangle

A reflective warning triangle to set up behind the car if you break down.

Best for: breakdowns

• Reflective
• Check the listing for whether it folds flat for the boot

Price on Shopee: S$5.90, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

5. Blind spot mirrors

Round convex blind spot mirrors (2pc)

A pair of small round convex blind spot mirrors for your side mirrors.

Best for: extra view at the side mirrors

• 2 pieces, round and convex
• Check the listing for how they attach

Price on Shopee: S$5.19 for the pair, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

Also worth having: a dashcam

Footage settles who-did-what in a fender bender, which matters more when you are new. In a car parked in the sun, a supercapacitor model handles heat better than one with a built-in battery.

We compare options in our dashcam guide for new drivers.

The P-plate rules in plain English

• How long: one year from the date your licence is granted (Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules, rule 2).
• Where the plate goes (cars): top right portion of the front windscreen and top right portion of the rear windscreen, as seen from outside (rule 5(2)).
• Not displaying it is an offence. Two or more convictions or compounded offences for not displaying it can lead to revocation (rule 5(4) and 5(5)).
• Demerit points (until 31 December 2026): 13 or more within the probation year and your licence can be revoked. You get a written notice once you reach 6 points (rule 3).
• From 1 January 2027: SPF says the revocation threshold for probationary drivers drops to 12 or more points, and there is a one-time deduction of 1 point for probationary motorists as of 31 December 2026. A single 12-point offence, such as running a red light or using a phone while driving, will then be enough on its own.
• If revoked: you must retake and pass both the theory and practical tests (SPF).
• Converting a foreign licence? If you held a foreign licence for the same class for a year or more, the display rule may not apply to you (rule 5(3)). Check your case with Traffic Police.

You can check your demerit points in the Digital Driving Licence on the Singpass app, according to SPF.

Habits that protect your points

• Do one practice drive at night and one in heavy rain with an experienced driver beside you before you drive alone in those conditions.
• Set navigation before you move off. Do not touch the phone while moving.
• Running a red light and using a phone while driving are 12 demerit points each (SPF). Until 31 December 2026, your licence is revoked at 13 or more points, so one of these plus almost any other offence is enough. From 1 January 2027 the limit is 12 or more points, so one such offence alone can get your licence revoked (SPF).
• Sort out your cover before your first solo drive. Our guide to car insurance for new drivers explains what to check.

FAQ

When can I take off my P plate?

After one year from the date your licence was granted.

Do I need a P plate when driving my parents’ car?

Yes, unless the foreign-licence exemption above applies to you. The rule covers you as the driver during your probation, in any Class 3, 3A, 3C or 3CA vehicle you drive (rule 5(1)).

What happens if I get 13 demerit points as a new driver?

Your licence can be revoked and you must retake the theory and practical tests. From 1 January 2027 the threshold is 12 or more points, which one red-light or phone offence reaches on its own.

Still preparing for the test?

See our guide on how to get a driving licence in Singapore and our Class 3A practical test guide.

This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Check the Traffic Police and Singapore Statutes Online pages linked below for your own case.

Sources: Road Traffic Act s65B, Singapore Statutes Online; Road Traffic (New Drivers) Rules, Singapore Statutes Online; SPF, Driver Improvement Points System; SPF, licence revocation; Shopee SG listings for prices (5 Nov 2026).