SINGAPORE - The Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced on Friday an increase in the Traffic Police's theory & practical test fees.

The current test fees for the theory and practical tests, and the Proficiency Driving Test, have been in place since 1997.

Due to the rise in operating costs over the years, the Traffic Police said it will increase these fees.

From June 1, 2015, the test fee for the Basic Driving Theory Test, Final Driving Theory Test and Motorcycle Riding Theory Test will be increased from $6 to $6.50.

The test fee for the Practical Riding Test, Practical Driving Test, and Proficiency Driving Test will be increased from $20 to $26 on June 1, 2015 and to $33 on June 1, 2016.

This fee hike will apply to all who book their theory and practical tests, or Proficiency Driving Test, on or after June 1, 2015.

Meanwhile, the SPF also announced that from June 1, 2015, work permit and S Pass holders with foreign driving licences and those who wish to convert to a Class 3 licence will have to pass the Class 3 Practical Driving Test (PDT) on top of the existing requirement to pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT).

This will allow work permit and S Pass holders to drive all Class 3 vehicles, including light goods vehicles and small buses.

These changes - passed in Parliament in September 2014 - are to ensure these drivers are competent and familiar with driving on Singapore roads.

On June 1, a new Class 3C licence will be introduced.

It will allow the holder to drive all Class 3 vehicles except light goods vehicles, mini vans and small buses. Drivers need to pass only the BTT to convert their foreign driving licence to the Class 3C licence.

On the same day, a Class 3CA licence will also be introduced. This will allow the holder to only drive automatic Class 3C vehicles.

A two-year transition period - from June 1 to May 31, 2017 - will be implemented to give drivers who currently hold converted Class 3 licences sufficient time to take the Class 3 PDT.

Work permit and S Pass holders who obtained their converted Class 3 driving licences before June 1, 2015, can continue to drive all Class 3 vehicles including light goods vehicles and small buses, until their Class 3 licences expire.

If their Class 3 driving licences expire within the transition period, they will be able to renew their Class 3 licences until May 31, 2017, without having to pass the PDT.

To hold their Class 3 licences beyond then, they will need to pass the Class 3 PDT before June 1, 2017.