NEW DRIVING LICENCE

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the size of the driving licence will be reduced to that of a credit card; (b) whether it is necessary to have the photograph of the licensee shown on the driving licence; and (c) whether the driving licence's validity period will be extended from 3 years to 5 years.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Traffic Police is studying the feasibility of introducing a new driving licence of credit card size. The inclusion of the licensee's photograph will be considered also.

For operational reasons, the Traffic Police does not intend to extend the driving licence's validity to five years. Currently, a person may renew his licence for one year or three years. More than 80% of the 760,000 licences are renewed for one year.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: Sir, when will this feasibility study be completed?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Sir, as I said, the Traffic Police is studying this new driving licence. We have not decided on the date of implementation. But the study will be carried out expeditiously.