~ MHA and SPF accepted PWAs’ and NTWU’s feedback on potential impact on vocational drivers’ livelihood; and granted one-time demerit point deduction to ease motorists’, including vocational drivers’, transition to the tightened measures ~
The National Trades Union Congress’ (NTUC) affiliated associations — National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), and National Taxi Association (NTA) — and National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) support the intent of the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) tightening of the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS) as a measure to enhance road safety. Through the tightened measures, SPF wants to deter traffic violations and keep errant motorists off the roads for longer periods, in view of road traffic fatalities reaching a 10-year high in 2025.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) have consulted NDCA, NPHVA, NTA, and NTWU on these new measures and we have shared our concerns. This is because while we share the goal of safer roads for everyone who uses them, we also want to prevent any unfair impact on the vocational drivers’ livelihoods.
Vocational drivers such as taxi drivers, private hire drivers, delivery riders, and public transport workers spend long hours on the road, and tightened measures and suspensions can have a direct impact on their ability to work and support their families. In our consultations, we stressed that while unsafe driving must be deterred, vocational drivers should not be unfairly disadvantaged during the transition to the new measures.
We thank MHA and SPF for taking in our feedback that lowering the suspension thresholds could significantly impact our vocational drivers, whose driving licenses are essential to their livelihoods. We therefore welcome the transitionary measure of a one-time deduction of demerit points – up to six points for non-probationary motorists and one point for probationary motorists – so that motorists, including our vocational drivers, are not brought closer to suspension or revocation simply because of the revised thresholds coming into effect.
We also note that existing incentives for good driving and riding behaviour will remain in place following offence-free periods and sustained good driving behaviour, including the removal of demerit points, resetting of suspension records, and discounts on motor insurance policy.
Taken together, these measures and incentives recognise both the need to deter unsafe driving and encourage sustained safe driving practices, which will enhance the overall safety of our roads for all road users, including our vocational drivers.
Road safety is a shared responsibility that requires sustained efforts by all road users. This includes identifying risks early, adopting and strengthening safe practices, and fostering greater awareness and consideration among all road users. We encourage our vocational drivers to familiarise themselves with the new measures ahead of 1 January 2027 and continue practising safe and considerate driving and riding to protect themselves, their passengers, and all road users. Members can also tap on NTUC’s Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) to offset the cost of eligible road traffic safety courses to strengthen their road safety knowledge and practices.
NDCA, NPHVA, NTA and NTWU remain committed to championing the interests of our drivers, riders, and public transport workers, and will continue advocating for policies that safeguard their safety and livelihoods.
Yeo Wan Ling
Executive Secretary, National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU)
Advisor to National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Taxi Association (NTA)
NTUC is at the heart of the Labour Movement, which comprises 58 affiliated unions, seven affiliated associations, a portfolio of businesses and six related organisations, as well as a growing ecosystem of professional associations and enterprise partners.