How to be a Taxi Driver in Singapore
Introduction      
Its' not easy living on an average wage in Singapore. Hence, there is an alternative to obtaining that extra cash. In lieu of the nature of the job requirements, if you're too tired from your full-time job than you shouldn't be doin this. In some instance, if your instinct tells you that you will be retrenched by your current employer sooner or later, than you should start getting that license ready for a rainy day.
Well, there are jobs such as property agents, insurance agents, network/ pyramid sales and than there are the telemarketers.
Well! here's my experience, been there & done that. Another 'tougher' but direct approach to earning a daily income is transportation..
I am writing this to disclose and share my experience but not act as a consultant or sales person to any of the organisations mentioned in this summary. Sharing my experience, as I did it on my own without any guidance from anyone.
   
Knowledge is free, it is the time that matters;
 Johani A.
   
Application  
6th December 2005, Tuesday  
   
The journey begins with the trip to Land Transport Authority, Sin Ming Drive (refer to diagram). Upon reaching the reception counter, you'll be welcomed by a very helpful and friendly reception, hence just tell them you want to apply for vocational license. They'll be kind to give you a queue number and direct you to the right where the application counter is. The waiting time was about less than a minute for me. (probably because I came after lunch).
Vehicle & Transit Licensing Division (LTA)
10 Sin Ming Drive
SINGAPORE 575701

Now, here's the formality apart from filling the form:

  
NRIC
Education Certificate. (e.g. O level, N level etc. This will be helpful)
Sin$40
$40.00
Driving License ( if you have a class 4, you might as well get your Bus vocation too, just a tick same cost)
   
Receipt & Instructions  
16th December 2005, Friday  
Checked the mail box ! I received the letter from LTA, instructing me to go:  
Medical Check Up    
  Register & undergo Training course (to select from the following)  
    SMRT
$270.50
    Singapore Taxi Academy
$258.00
    Comfort
$262.50
    CitiCab Pte Ltd

$262.50
         
Medical Check Up
19th December 2005, Monday
 
A medical form (see picture) is attached with the LTA instruction documents. Take note there is an number in the LTA documents which will be useful later.
I had tried to go to the Toa Payoh Polyclinic to get the medical Examination, but I changed my mind after realising they were going to charge me for $25. Thus, I headed back home and just see my regular private doctor at my neighbourhood. It cost only $18 but he refered me to another radiology which was is Orchard or Ang Mo Kio
$18.00
I had my X-ray done in Orchard Road. I was surprised that the X-ray only cost $10.50.
$10.50
Medical Imaging Pte Ltd Orchard Branch, 15 Cairnhill Road, #04-03 Cairnhill Place
Registration for Taxi Training    
20th December 2005, Tuesday    
I had registered myself with SMRT taxi because they have a scheme where I have to earn $120 daily from driving their taxis for 3 months. In return they will reimburse my training fee, pay a min. salary of $800 ++ (relatively to monthly revenue) and all other perks. Well one thing that I was not happy was the $10 registration fee that was not mentioned in their brochures.
$262.50
  
$10.00

Must produce and submit to them the following.

    
  Copy of Driving License    
  Copy of NRIC    
  Copy of completed Medcal Exam Form    
  Copy of LTA Approval    
       
29th December 2005, Thursday    
After regitering and sending the cheque to SMRT, you'll be required to attend the briefing and in the briefing. you'll get tips and pasword for the E-learning via internet.    
     
E-learning    
30th December 2005, Friday    
My primary objective was to get a fastest Excursion Date so that I can get the earliest Test Dates. Henceforth, I never really studied the text but merely did the quizes. You can do as many times and the questions are usually repetitions.However, I recommend you really study the text before the test as I found out later that lots of the quiz questions prepared by SMRT are minimum only not too many in the test paper.   Note: you must attend an excursion before attending the 2-Day test. Furthermore, the excursion date only limited seats and only like once or twice a month. Complete the quizes than can book the excursion date.
31st December 2005, Saturday    

I managed to clear all the quizes and get an excursion date by the following Sunday.As you may see it's very fast. but the problem is Excursion Dates and Test dates are not every week that's why I finally graduated in March. The reason is I couldn't go for the excursion in January due to last minute photography clients on a Sunday. Hence I tried to rebook on the following Sunday but I couldn't as it was already filled up.

    
The next available Excursion Date was in February - No Choice so I take la.    
Subsequently, the test date is on the following week- Both Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 4 pm.    
Ofcourse, I passed and SMRT gave me a call to come down to take photograph and make applications for the Vocational license.    
     
Thats' It ! & Good Luck!