From Oct 1, you will no longer get a refund, even if you cancel ahead of time.
The move is designed to stop aspiring drivers from abusing the system by making multiple bookings, cancelling them at the last-minute and auctioning test dates, said Traffic Police spokesman Danny Tan.
Those practices 'squander' test slots and force other drivers to wait longer for their chance to prove themselves behind the wheel, he said.
The no-refund policy marks a return to the past.
The Traffic Police used to have one,but lifted it in 2004, when test bookings were out sourced to three private driving centres.
But since then, it has seen an inordinately high number of people make multiple bookings, which cost $6 for theory tests and $20 for practical exams.
Between 2005 and 2007, an average of 8,800 people a year scheduled more than one test at a time.
About 15 per cent of approximately 238,000 theory tests, and about 28 per cent of approximately 104,000 practical tests booked each year are cancelled.
That amounts to about $800,000 in refunds annually.
Officials from two of Singapore?s driving centres said the change would help reduce waiting times, which can be up to two months for theory exams and four months for practical tests.
The Traffic Police say they will, however,consider not forfeiting test fees if a person has a valid reason, supported by documents, such as reservist training and medical reasons. -ST
