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SINGAPORE - Guitarist, singer, TikTok sensation and now, motorcyclist - Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has been showing he is a man of many talents outside of the office. Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, rode a Royal Enfield Classic 500 motorcycle as part of a convoy on Sunday (Aug 14) to raise funds for the Children's Cancer Foundation. Organised by Riders Aid Singapore, the event saw the convoy flagging off from Tampines Heavy Vehicle Carpark at about 1pm. More than 700 motorcyclists turned up at the event. Mr Suriya Kumar, president of Riders Aid Singapore, said about $30,000 has been raised so far. DPM Wong joined the convoy at about 1.45pm as they rode from Al-Istighfar Mosque in Pasir Ris to Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple about 1km away. At the temple, he gave a speech thanking the organisers for giving him the chance to ride a motorcycle after more than 20 years. "I haven't done it for 20 over years already, the last time I did it was when I was a student in America," he said. DPM Wong, who holds Class 2, 2A and 2B licences, said he picked up riding when he was a student in the United States, and previously owned a Suzuki street bike that he used to get around the city of Madison in Wisconsin. "When I returned home and started work, I had a scooter for a period of time," he said. "But it has been more than 20 years since I last rode a bike. So I was glad to have the opportunity to ride with Riders Aid Singapore this time to support a good cause." DPM Wong autographed the motorcycle that was provided for him to use during the event. It will be kept as a display piece by the dealership in Ubi. Mr Kumar said he had reached out to DPM Wong to be the guest of honour at the event after hearing from a grassroots leader that the minister used to ride motorcycles in his younger days. "We reached out to him, and we were very surprised when he said he wanted to ride a bike by himself," he said. "Usually, our guests of honour would just ride pillion so we were all very excited." As a token of appreciation, Mr Kumar presented DPM Wong with a painting of him with a motorcycle. Didn't know our DPM got 2B, 2A and 2 license. Now I can call him ah bang already. He just went from Lawrence Wong to Lawrence Wong. But after 20 years of not riding, hope he went for some refreshment lessons before going on the road lol. Before 14th August 2022. After 14 August 2022.

Hi everyone. It has been a week since I obtained my Class 4 driving licence. I would like to share my Class 4 learning journey if those who are keen to take up Class 4 driving licence. Actually I tried to google as much as I can but without much information as not a lot of people willing to take Class 4/5. The last time I passed my Class 3 was Nov 2014. Was planning to take up Class 4 since 2016 but kept dragging until now. Anyway, back to main topic. When Jan 2022 starts, I decided to take up Class 4 as I don’t wish to procastinate any longer. The only driving centre to learn Class 4/5 is Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC). There is another valid driving centre that also teach Class 4/5. The company is Pan Country Driving Centre (PCDC). When I reach SSDC on 25 Jan 2022, I was told that SSDC slots are full. Only left with PCDC. I was reluctant to take up PCDC because I know nothing about PCDC. Previously I took up my Class 3 driving practical lessons at SSDC, I find that the instructors are very nice and patience. But oh well. I just have to give it a shot and try PCDC. For Class 4/5, you have to pay everything upfront. For my Class 4 package, I paid a full lump sum of SGD 1,115.52 for 1 theory lesson, 5 practical lessons, 1 Traffic Police test (TP) and 1 rental fee of the Class 4 vehicle. Really regret didnt take up my Class 4 few years ago, as the pricing was less than SGD 1K. So I managed to book the 5 practical lessons for the month of Feb 2022. The dates are 07, 16, 17, 18, 21 Feb 2022. The theory lesson basically is to attend and they will provide you a list of highway code with all the mandatory and warning road signs. At the end of the TP test, the TP will test you on the road signs and you have to explain to them what are the road signs means and what to do when driving a heavy vehicles when you see these signs. Basically you have to memorise the road signs and it is requirement during your Class 4 TP test. Previously I already knew that there will be rope tying and height measurement. So I managed to find Youtube on how to perform the rope tying and memorise the technique. I managed to learn the technique fast and have no issue with the rope tying. As for height measurement, it is pretty straight forward. The instructor will guide you how to estimate it. I won’t go much details on it. As for the 1st practical lesson, I mixed up the timing and came an hour late. But luckily the instructor managed to take me up for my lesson. It feels weird to drive the Class 4 vehicle because I don’t usually drive in Singapore. If I do, it will be usually in overseas. Mount kerb, strike kerb is pretty normal because I lack of driving experience. But overall, is quite fun to drive around the circuit and outside road. Cut long story short, after completing the 5 practical lessons, it is time to take my Class 4 TP test which I booked on 03 Mar 2022, 245pm. This timing is a very good timing as the traffic should not be heavy because the lunch time is over. Went for the TP test at 245pm. The lady at the front counter will inform you Test Vehicle Number. After that, I was brought to report to the vehicle and wait for the TP tester. Tester came, asked to demostrate the rope tying. Checked, no issue. Height measurement also no issue. Hop the vehicle and start the engine as per instructed. The tester conduct a briefing on how the test will be conducted. 1 immediate failure (IF) or/and 20 demerit points accumulated deem to have fail the test. Acknowledge and was asked to turn left and move off. 1st station done was at Directional Change. No issue. Next station was at Parallel Parking. No issue. Next station was at Crank Course. Came out wide turning. Turn left. Go straight and left turn bend. Strike curb when turning left. Immediate failure. Tester was quite disappointed but still allow me to did the rest of the circuit. No going outside public road. No issue with highway code. Ended up 12 demerits points and 1 immediate failure. Was told that the driving was Ok. But because strike kerb, he cannot pass me. Went up to Level 3 and book a re-test on 26 Mar 2022 (Sat), 0915am. Was feeling quite disappointed though. Thank god was a Sat. Normal bus lane is not applicable. It is also required to book 1 practical lesson before the TP test. So I managed to book 1 lesson on 25 Mar 2022. The practical lesson didn’t went well though. Still strike kerb in Vertical Parking and a lot of test vehicles during my lesson. Didn’t have the chance to practice hard enough. Came 26 Mar 2022. Woke up early and head straight to SSDC. Ate some breakfast at Woodlands Interchange. Reached SSDC around 8am plus. Waited until the lady at counter gather those taking TP test at 0915am. Same thing as the previous TP test. Reported to the test vehicle. That day, only 3 candidates including me. My tester came slightly late. I was the last to move off. The first 2 candidates move off first while I was waiting quite nervously for my tester. Finally my tester came and verify my IC and face before commencing the test. Rope tying and height measurement went smoothly. Hop on the test vehicle and was brief by the TP tester. This tester seems very professional and I had never encounter such tester who really go an extra miles to ensure the test candidate knows what he or she is doing. He conducted the briefing as per usual and ask me how do I check my blindspots. I demostrated to him and he acknowledged it. Thank goodness, the test vehicle was parked near to the slope and was instructed to do the slope first. So he instructed me to turn right when moving off. I was quite worried if he asked me to turn left because the previous test, I was asked to turn left and do some circuit tests and have to make half a round turn left to do slope. And I striked kerb during the left turning, as the turn is quite a tight corner for a Class 4 vehicle. I find that the slope location is quite away from the heavy vehicle circuit test. So I managed to perform the circuit pretty well except for Vertical Parking which I turned too early and require additional reverse movement. Other than that, not much issue in circuit. Went out the public road, perform U turn, Right Turn and Left Turn. Came back to driving centre. Went for the debrief room and was tested the highway verbal codes. Almost forgot one of the answer but managed to remember it. Tester show me the result. Passed with 18 points. Asked me to pass him my driving licence. Waited for 5 mins and came out hand me the driving licence and test checklist and told me that I passed. 18 points. The driving licence behind, he helped me paste the additional class of driving licence. There is an updated version for Class 3 where one can drive Ambulances and Medical Transport Vehicles, which is cool. So I was quite happy that I managed to close this chapter of taking up Class 4 driving course after so long. Reason for taking up Class 4 because I wish to drive a campervans in overseas such as New Zealand or Australia. Not sure whether the campervans unladen weight is how heavy so is better to take up Class 4 just in case. I was thinking whether to take up Class 5 but shall see how it goes. Meanwhile, take care everyone.

Over the years, we’ve seen our fair share of sports cars racing and speeding on the roads, especially late at night. While most of these drivers are experienced and often race without injury, it is not all that uncommon for them to get involved in a major accident. With one wrong move, these drivers might find themselves crashing their precious supercar beyond salvation. This then begs the question – Should there be a new class of license for sports cars? What is a sports car? Once used to describe two-seater cars with a soft top that are eligible for competition in the postwar era, the definition behind the term ‘sports car’ today seems to have faded into a rather grey area. For most consumers, a ‘sports car’ might be used to refer to any car that was manufactured by luxury automobile companies such as Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini. While these brands are famous for their sports cars, Asian automakers like Honda, Toyota and Nissan are often referred to as 'bread and butter', and not deemed with the same high regard (even though these brands produced some legendary sports cars like the NSX, Supra and GT-R) For the sake of this article, we shall define a ‘sports car’ as cars with a high-powered engine of more than 200 bhp, and generally seats two people. This includes a wide array of offerings, such as the BMW Z4, Porsche 718 Boxster and Alpine A110. More implementations for sports cars in SG Following the tragic Tanjong Pagar accident earlier this year, the government has installed more safety features to decrease speeding incidents along long stretches of roads. According to the Straits Times, road dividers, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will be implemented. The Traffic Police has stepped up patrols and enforcement in the area as well to deter and detect similar traffic offences. The accident occurred after a speeding white BMW M4 Coupe, a powerful vehicle that produces 510 bhp and 650 Nm of torque, crashed into a vacant shophouse unit and burst into flames. All five individuals in the car were killed. Call for a sports car license Although the Tanjong Pagar accident has been deemed to be an isolated incident in the area, there have been more instances of sports cars getting involved in crashes all over the island. Some of these include: As much as I love fast cars, the reality is that there is nothing in life that would prepare any driver to pilot a rear-wheel-drive performance car that puts out close to 500 bhp. No matter how many years of driving experience one has unless it’s been in a high-powered sports car, it is a whole different ball game when it comes to a Mustang or a Miata. Like pilot licenses, where multi-engine planes and seaplanes require extra training and are add-ons to a standard private license, there should be a special class of driving license should be implemented for these fast vehicles. Drivers of all ages should be better prepared if they want to drive a sports car. Just my two-cents worth. Please don't roast me. --- Thinking of selling your car? sgCarMart Quotz guarantees the highest selling price for your car. We’ll even give you $100 cash if you find a better offer elsewhere! Get a free quote to find out how much your car is worth today!

Anyone holding a TDVL or PDVL. Have some questions here. I obtained my TDVL back in January drove Taxi share for a month and earned about 1500+ in profit. The following month, I am employed full time and never perform any driving since. Here are the questions. 1) In-active license will kena kantong or not. 2) My grab driver app is prompting me to make at least 1 trip every 6 months if not it will kena suspend. Anyone experience it before? If suspend already in the future want to activate back, troublesome? If troublesome, I might just go and take a short 3hour rental and pick up at least 1 passenger. from Grab 3) IRAS need to declare the part time $1500 made from temp taxi driving? Now economy very bad. I intend to keep my taxi license in any case get retrenched or what in the future 😞

so this confession pops up in the sg subreddit today. If we're lucky, the driver will repent and sign up for refresher courses (unlikely) If we're lucky, he will hit 24 points and get off our roads (unlikely) Or he will get involved in a serious accident involving unlucky residents, found liable, then get off our roads (likely) Can TP be more stringent issuing conversion license to developing countries? (Requoted in case original post deleted)

Even if you are in a hurry, this is not the way to ride. Spotted going around group chats in Whatapp, a video of a biker who tried to overtake and crashed has gone viral recently. The accident which happened on TPE near IKEA Tampines, in the direction of Pasir Ris, was captured by the camera car on 27 Jun 2020. In the video we can see this biker who apparently had no bike license or insurance crashing badly while he tried to overtake the camera car which was changing lanes. Check out how far his bike went ahead of the camera car after the collision! According to Sg Road Vigilante, the rider was later arrested. Thankfully, the rider escaped death and we hope the authorities deal with him properly for hurting the road divider that he crashed into. Check out what netizens have to say about this crash!

Lorry Driver Who Lied About Having Class 3 Licence Pleads Guilty For Causing Fatal Yio Chu Kang Accident source: https://mustsharenews.com/yio-chu-kang-accident/ The driver crashed into a father-daughter pair and their family friend. Lorry Driver In Fatal Yio Chu Kang Accident Guilty Of Driving Without A Valid Licence On 23 April 2018, 27-year-old Xu Kai Xiang was driving a lorry along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into three pedestrians. All three died instantly at the scene. Xu, who was driving his father’s company lorry, admitted today (14 Oct) to driving without a valid licence, according to a report by The Straits Times. Lied to father about licence validity The report also stated that Xu had been ferrying the company’s workers daily since 8 April, just over 2 weeks prior. His father had entrusted him with the lorry as he believed that his son possessed a Class 3 licence. Unbeknownst to the elder Xu, his son who had applied and obtained a Class 3 Provisional Driving Licence, only took his practical driving test in automatic transmission vehicles. One would need a Class 3 licence, which allows a person to drive a car with manual transmission and a clutch pedal, to drive large vehicles like lorries. Charge for causing deaths still pending Xu initially faced a fine of $1,400 and a year-long driving ban for driving the lorry without a valid licence and insurance. A third charge for causing the deaths of the pedestrians is under review, pending the result of a coroner’s inquiry. If the evidence proves to be against Xu, the court can prosecute him for the offence later. Be a responsible driver It’s essential to adhere to the limitations of the type of licence that you have and not be complacent with your driving skills. A careless mistake can sometimes lead to a tragedy. Remember to abide by the traffic laws as well when you’re on the roads.

Kinda curious with this. Anybody with experience may clarify this? 1) SAF drivers gets their SAF Driving License during their army time(different from Civilian’s), but what if you have already gotten a Civilian Driving License before you entered the Army? Will you get posted to the driver vocation? I’ve heard that if you already have a Civilian Driving License, chances of you getting into the Driver Vocation is almost ZERO or you don’t even have a chance as they want to give those people with no license to experience as a driver? How reliable is this? 2) Second question. So example if I got into the driver vocation and I hold both SAF Driving License & Civilian Driving License, and One unfortunate day (example) I am driving the military vehicle and I accidentally got caught committing traffic offences (such as speeding/beat red light/knock down people with no intention), does it affect only my SAF driving license only and get charged, or it will also affect my Civilian driving license as well? Meaning both my SAF & Civilian driving license gets affected (Demerit points etc.) It just some thought that makes me curious & just for in case. Accidents do happen, I know we can prevent it but it’s just for some knowledge.

Seeking advice from those that have done this before .... 1. I'm planning to bid for my own car license plate number. 2. AD usually include 6 mths road tax, license plate etc in car price Questions : a. If I bid for my own plate number, what kind of rebates can I expect from AD? b. Do I need to inform SE before he bids COE on my behalf or only when car is ready for registration? Appreciate all advice. Thanks !

Dear bros, Just want to confirm something: If i just converted foreign license to Singapore license, do i still have to show the triangle probationary plates for a year? Or no need at all? Thanks for the quick help.

Can one of you kind souls help me on this? Despite reading the Wikipedia page numerous times I still cannot derive or understand the check digit calculation of my vehicle. Using the example quoted in Wiki, how do they derive the "6 fixed numbers as (9, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2)"? and why are the 19 characters used quoted in this order?? (A, Z, Y, X, U, T, S, R, P, M, L, K, J, H, G, E, D, C, B) where A=0, Z=1, etc... Can anyone make this Wiki page a lot clearer to understand for a layman? Cheers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Singapore#Checksum

In March 1983, the Traffic Police replaced the PDS (Points Demerit System) with the DIPS (Driver Improvement Points System). Under the former, stricter scheme, Singaporean motorists who accumulated 12 demerit points in a year would have their driving licences revoked. Under DIPS, however, a driver would only lose his licence if he racked up 24 points within two years. New drivers who’d just passed their driving test, on the other hand, still had to abide by “PDS rules” – their licences would be revoked if they amassed more than 12 demerit points within 12 months. But the leniency of DIPS compared to PDS soon attracted criticism. The AAS (Automobile Association of Singapore), for one, was concerned that it might cause some good drivers to go bad, since they had more points to “play” around with. Singapore’s Traffic Police (TP), however, hoped that the doubling of the points and allotted time period would not only give some allowance to motorists who might have unintentionally committed traffic offences, but also persuade repeat offenders to “self-correct” before it was too late. In any case, TP made the penalties for certain offences even stiffer under DIPS – for example, beating the red light used to mean a $150 fine (for light vehicles) and six demerit points, but these were raised to $200 and 12 demerit points respectively after the DIPS was amended in 2000. The scheme had been extended to foreigners the year before, creating a fairer playing field for every motorist who uses our roads regularly. To incentivise motorists to practise good driving habits, any demerit points accumulated under the DIPS scheme will be erased if the driver stays “clean” for the 12 months following his last offence. Any suspensions, too, would be wiped off his driving record if he remains offence-free for two years from the time his licence was suspended. Speaking of which, if your driving suspension is for a year or longer, you’ll have to earn it back later on by passing the theory and practical exams all over again. The best incentive by far is the Certificate of Merit, given to every motorist who maintains a clean driving record for three years straight. This reward entitles him to a five per cent discount on his car insurance premium upon renewal, in addition to any No-Claims bonus, provided his insurer participates in this scheme and he didn’t file any policy claims during the last three years. This article was written by Jeremy Chua, writer for Torque.

Bag was stolen and lost my driving license among other things. Is it possible to apply for a replacement online or do I have to go to ubi? Also, must the photo be a hard copy or can I give them a soft copy photo? Thanks.

Hi guys, I got an unfortunate news this morning as my friend was caught by an undercover cops this morning. Worse thing is she just completed her sentence after her licensed got revoked for one year due to drink driving. She is in the mid re-taking her driving license and in fact she already passed her basic theory in May. What do you think what will be penalty or chargers to her?

Luckily I was driving at a slow speed of around 40 to 45 km/h along a residential road, I never expect this old man to walk out in front of the car besides me and nearly bang into him! This old man is putting himself in harms way as crossing at a traffic junction is definitely a no-no, because at an uncontrolled traffic junction cars are turning in and out of the junction in many directions which the pedestrian or driver might not be aware of each other presence thus causing a fatal accident.

hi brothers, as the title says it all, an unfortunate event where a friend's license got revoked and now having troubles selling off his car. hope all the mcf bros here can share any advice where should he start off with? 1. post an ad in used cars 2. consign unfortunate as it is, there's an existing bank loan tagged. and he is afraid no one might be able to fork 30k for an `06 fit. thanks in advance to all. have an enjoyable weekend. P.s. Apologies if this is posted in wrong cat.

hello, i actually have some contacts that looking for buyer to buy their lottery license. of course, it's not in singapore but malaysia. license is for eternity, as you are aware.. the price of the license has grown over the years.. it's really a good source of investment. profit, you will get your commission from every sales and winning.. operation is at penang but able to switch to other states with some underwriting. no additional tax or whatever. yes, license is for malaysian only but paper work can be done to allow foreigner as owner.. i know it's kinda impossible to obtain such operating license especially in singapore.. but in malaysia, it worth the thought. yes, there are a few players such as toto, 4D and Da Ma Cai. this license that i got is from Toto.. worth a thought? sorry mods, if this is regard as an advertisement. i just thought it would be a good talking point, since we buy flat, property as an investment. why not, a lottery license?

Hello.. Am writing this post to clarify my doubts on the actual procedure for getting a license. Have heard many rumors from my friends that they recently changed the minimum legal age to 21 instead of 18, is this true? I want to be able to get a license as soon as possible because my Dad was caught for drink driving just a month ago.. He was bringing out some Chinese clients out for dinner and they had a couple of drinks, on the way home after sending them back to the hotel, he was stopped by a TP, not really sure of the full details but he was told that he is going to be suspended from driving for a year, fine of $3000 and must make an appearance in court. He is the only person in my family that can drive and not driving would be impossible as my grandmother is wheelchair bound and have to make regular visits to the hospital every once in awhile, taking a taxi would definitely cost a bomb! Anyway, can anybody please enlighten me on how to get a license? -I'm 17 this year, is there anyway I can take the theory test beforehand and then take the practical test when I'm 18 next year? -Do they count the age by the actual birthdate or just the year itself? (My birthday is actually 31st December) -How long does the entire course last for? Do I have to attend several theory and practical lessons before taking the test? -How much is the fees for the course/tests? -Where can I apply for the theory test/practical test? P.S. I'm doing this on my own accord, nobody is forcing me to get a license as soon as possible to ferry them around. Besides, I have been a fan of cars since my kindergarten days, driving a car is my ultimate dream! Sorry for the lengthy post, thanks in advance!

Hi, Is there a website that displays the car license plate series and the associated month/year registered? E.g. SGN - Nov 2006 SDK - May 2001 Thanks

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/love-of...0-1226533204151 IT'S not Monaco, the Nurburgring or even Oran Park - this racetrack is NSW's best-kept secret. The privately owned road in Kulnura, on the Central Coast, is a 5.1km Formula One-style track with 22 turns, described by one motorsport champion as the second-best track in the world. The track, which is said to have cost $10 million, was built by car enthusiast and former Coca-Cola Amatil boss Dean Wills after he lost his licence for speeding on the old Pacific Highway in 1996. Mr Wills wanted to enjoy his growing fleet of exotic cars - which included the only McLaren racing car ever sold privately - without having to worry about oncoming traffic. His son Mark said the track was motivated by a lack of opportunity for "spirited" driving in a safe environment. "In the early days it was possible to wake up early on Sunday morning and go driving," he said. "It was becoming increasingly less safe so we really needed somewhere we could go where we wouldn't get into life-threatening situations. Love it!

How can we allow foreigners carrying fake licenses to be driving an ambulance? Or rather... to be driving in Singapore at all? What a lapse. I'm starting to think there are perhaps many more such "fake license" drivers on our roads. http://therealsingapore.com/content/foreig...se-fake-license

Hi All, Going to relocate to China half years, can anyone advise if driving in China, Singapore License or IDP, or have to get China license? Thanks

It's been more than half a century since some of the first concept cars boasting self-driving features were presented to the world and they're still not on the roads. But many auto executives say the industry is on the cusp of welcoming vehicles that make the idea of keeping both hands on the wheel an anachronism. General Motors showed off "dream cars" in the late 1950s like the Firebird II and Cadillac Cyclone with features automakers are now starting to roll out in new models as the technology, based on sensors, lasers, radar systems, GPS, cameras and microchips -- improves and becomes less costly. While most industry officials don't envision a fully self-driving, or autonomous, vehicle before 2025, features such as adaptive cruise control or traffic jam assist that automatically slow or apply the brakes for a car in certain situations are already being introduced. And much like anti-lock brakes became the norm after initial resistance, these new technologies will prepare drivers for a future where they are needed less. "The whole concept of a car being able to drive itself is pretty profound," said Larry Burns, GM's former research and development chief and an adviser for Google's self-driving car project. "This is the most transformational play to hit the auto industry in 125 years." The progress has been in the making for decades as GM's Firebird II, introduced in 1956, included a system to work with an electrical wire embedded in the highway to guide the car. Three years later, the rocket-like Cyclone boasted an autopilot system that steered the car and radar in front nose cones that warned of a collision and automatically applied the brakes. However, the pace of invention has quickened, with such automakers as GM, Ford Motor Co, Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG developing technologies to help drivers avoid accidents. Some even envision a future where today's cars are more amusement. "In the same way we all used to travel on horses and now horses are entertainment, you could imagine automobiles driven by people becoming more entertainment," said Chris Urmson, the Google program's technical head. In a world where Nevada and Florida have already passed laws allowing the licensing of self-driving cars, the rush is on to make the job easier for drivers. For many, the ultimate goal is to take the steering wheel totally out of consumers' hands and eliminate accidents altogether. "Once we have a car that will never crash, why don't we let it drive?" said Nady Boules, GM's director of autonomous technology development. However, Boules and executives like him will have to win over a public that includes those who love to drive or simply wouldn't trust their lives to a robot. Others, like long-haul truckers, could resist the technology for fear of job losses. Blue screen of hell "My mental model of trust in technology is a Windows blue screen of death. That's how much faith I have in PCs and computer systems," said Bryan Reimer, a research scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's AgeLab. Reimer, whose group studies human behavior in relation to transportation safety and has worked with BMW, Ford and Toyota, said people are terrible overseers of highly autonomous systems and a car that helps drivers rather than replaces them would be a better model. J.D. Power and Associates found 37 percent of U.S. consumers it surveyed in March were interested in autonomous driving technology, but only 20 percent definitely or probably would buy it at an estimated price of $3,000. Consulting firm Accenture said last year that almost half of U.S. and British consumers it polled would be comfortable in a self-driving car. Even if the industry eventually wins the hearts and minds of most consumers, it also must establish the infrastructure that supports self-driving cars, including not only the technology but the necessary legal and liability frameworks -- things that may takes years to put in place. Bill Windsor, associate vice president of consumer safety at insurer Nationwide Mutual, pointed out the airline industry has had an autopilot feature for years, but people still man the cockpit. The same will be true for cars. "It's going to be a long time before we're going to feel comfortable turning over all the day-to-day decisions in driving to a computer," he said. Costs must come down as well. For instance, the laser-based Light Detection and Ranging system used by Google costs $70,000 according to a study released this month by consulting firm KPMG and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). For that reason, the rollout over the next decade of more semi-autonomous features that assist drivers or take control of cars in only some cases is the path the industry is taking with the idea of preparing consumers for a future with fully driverless cars. "The socialization of autonomous driving is actually the difficult part. The invention of the vehicle is the easy part," said John Hanson, Toyota's national manager for environmental, safety and quality issues. The Japanese automaker has two autonomous car programs, one in Japan and the other in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "George Jetson" days not close Even some automakers developing semi-autonomous features for their cars don't believe consumers will accept a future without human drivers. "The days of George Jetson getting in the vehicle, saying 'to the office' and then reading a newspaper, we don't envision for an awful long time," said Tom Baloga, BMW's US vice president of engineering. "We will always be the ultimate driving machine," he said, adding that there will be times when bored drivers stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic will turn over control of their cars. BMW has worked on autonomous technology for more than a decade. Others developing autonomous technologies include: Honda , Hyundai, Mercedes, Nissan and Volvo, as well as suppliers, technology firms and universities. Chip giant Intel Corp created a $100 million fund in February to invest in future auto technology. "The industry appears to be on the cusp of revolutionary change ... engendered by the advent of autonomous or 'self-driving' vehicles. And the timing may be sooner than you think," KPMG and CAR said in their study. GM, for instance, believes semi-autonomous cars will be available by mid-decade with more sophisticated self-driving systems by the end of the decade. Cadillac is testing a feature dubbed "Super Cruise" that is capable of fully automatic steering, braking and lane centering in certain highway driving that could be ready for production by mid-decade. Meanwhile Bill Ford, the chairman of rival Ford Motor, sees semi-autonomous driving technology by 2025 like driver-initiated autopilot systems, as well as, the ability to reserve parking spots ahead of your destination in a linked network, with fully autonomous cars following after that. "There's a lot of moving parts to all of this, but it's almost limitless in terms of what we can do," he said in June at an event in California's Silicon Valley. Ford's 2013 Fusion mid-sized car includes a lane-keeping aid system, an active park assist function, adaptive cruise control and collision warning. Self-driving cars: "Not in our lifetime" Google launched its autonomous car program in 2010, viewing the problem as one of computer science. It has tested its modified Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 450h cars over more than 300,000 miles and is talking with almost every automaker about its technology. Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said the company has not figured out how it would bring its technology to market, but licensing it is an option. "Self-driving cars should in our lifetime become the predominant way," he told Reuters in July. Last year, one of Google's self-driving cars was involved in a minor accident, but supporting the idea that robots would be better drivers it occurred when the car was under human control. The self-driving mode has yet to be in a fender bender. Bob Casey, the curator of transportation at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, regarded the self-guiding driving system of GM's Firebird II concept car of more than 50 years ago "almost as a parlor trick," but he said the technology now brings such cars closer to reality. The question is whether the auto industry is ready for that. "Part of the fundamental attraction of automobiles has been the actual driving of them," he said. "If you do away with that, then it really becomes an appliance ... a toaster, a washing machine." Source: http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlig....aspx?id=281681

Not sure if it is already the case and not trying to be racist. Just stating the obvious that road conditions and driving culture here are different from road conditions and culture elsewhere. Maybe in other countries weaving around a dozen pedestrains at 50km is considered skillful but here it is dangerous driving.

Hi folks, Anyone here have a private pilot's license? I remember there used to be a youth flying club but dunno much. Read up and happen to find that the Seletar Flying Club offers flying lessons to get a license. I was actually interested in learning but the price is pretty steep, the membership alone is $1K with $100+ every month. Calculated based on the flying rate stated, prepare to spend around 20K before you get your license. :( Can I still fly if I wear glasses? I know Airforce/Airline is a no no but private plane more relaxed right? I know MCF got many rich folks out there... anyone got license? How about plane ownership/maintenance? Get gian to take up, but the one $$$$$