Forum: Concerned over synchronised fee hikes at driving centres

The decision by the three driving centres in Singapore – ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, Bukit Batok Driving Centre and Singapore Safety Driving Centre – to raise fees from Jan 1 for practical lessons, theory classes and simulator training bears the hallmarks of cartel-like behaviour that penalises consumers (Driving centres in Singapore hike learner fees in 2026, Jan 4).

The fee hikes, ranging from 6.8 per cent to over 25.2 per cent for specific modules, are being implemented at a time when learners are already struggling with a bottlenecked system.

The demand for learning slots now far outstrips supply. This chronic imbalance has created a market where driving centres have zero incentive to improve productivity or streamline operations. Instead, they operate in a “seller’s market” where learners have no choice but to pay whatever is demanded just to secure a slot.

When all players in a limited market raise prices at the same time, it suggests a lack of genuine competition. In a healthy, competitive landscape, at least one provider would maintain or lower prices to capture the massive overflow of demand.

Instead, we see a coordinated upward trend that suggests the centres are comfortable increasing fees with impunity, knowing that their customer base is captive and desperate.

The justifications provided – such as rising operational costs and instructor wages – must be scrutinised. If productivity is not being enhanced to offset these costs, the burden is simply shifted to the young Singaporeans and workers for whom a driving licence is a vital asset for employment.

I urge the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore to investigate the fee structures. We need to ensure that the price adjustments are a result of market forces and not a lack of competitive spirit among the only three providers in the country.

Phoon Kok Hwa