Whereas looking back on our local car market last year, it’s been an horrendous year buying a car due to the skyrocketing COE premium and the ever appreciating Yen tormenting the Japanese car prices in Singapore. It’s not surprise that their European counterpart did better last year due to the constantly depreciating Euros and their higher margin of profit to cost to play with, thus curbing the rising COE cost. Buyers looking for a premium European make wouldn’t mind paying the extra COE cost as well.

I reckon the workshop’s businesses is going to improve further largely due to car owners clinging on to their ride especially for Japanese/Korean cars, meaning that forking out some savings on servicing is inevitable.

This year sees Hock Wah Motor entering into its 30th Anniversary and we believe with our rich amount of experience in the automotive industry, the company will continue to grow consistently. Also stay tuned for our upcoming new branches, located at The Premier @ Kakit Bukit Ave 4. The workshops cater to mostly large vehicles, Four Wheel Balancing/Alignment, Spray-painting and serve as another accident reporting centre as well to add convenience to our valued customers. 

Anyway, that’s about all the highlights for this year and I sincerely wish all a very prosperous, healthy dragon year ahead! Huat ar!

日月如梭，我们已经来到了2012年。尽管经济的阴霾还在头顶上盘旋，能够解决欧元区债务和美国经济危机的方法在逐渐展现。因此，接下来经济会慢慢复苏。

回顾去年新加坡车辆市场，高涨的COE价格和日元汇率的上涨使得欧洲车的销售量节节上升。高昂的COE价格促使更多的车主将会更加珍惜自己的爱车，也必将推动修车厂的业务上扬。

今年也是福华修车厂成立三十周年之际，居于我们庞大的客户群和我们完善的客户服务系统，希望能够提供更加贴心的服务以及跟客户一起成长。同时也很高兴宣布我们新的分厂将会在The Premier @ Kaki Bukit Ave 4成立，该分厂能够为大部分型号车辆提供维修和保养等服务，也是车辆报案中心。为客户提供一条龙服务是我们服务的宗旨。

祝大家在新的一年里阖家平安，身体健康！

Cheers
Legolas

the Orange Force Accident Response Team

Accidents can happen at anytime, anywhere. But from today, every driver insured by NTUC Income can count on the Orange Force for help, no matter where you are.

As your personal accident response team, Orange Force Riders can assist with documenting the damage, calling a tow truck, and ensuring your interests are protected. But more importantly, the Rider will be by your side to give you the reassurance you need most. For accident assistance anytime, anywhere, call the Orange Force at 6789 5000.

车祸应急团队

您无法预知意外的发生，但从今天开始，只要您是投保职总英康汽车保险，无论何时何地Orange Force都能提供援助。在这项车祸应急服务下，Orange Force 骑士将能协助您记录车子损坏部分，电召拖车以及确保您在事故中的权益。更重要的是，骑士能迅速赶到事故现场，在您最需要帮助的时候给予适当的援助。

无论何时何地，当您需要紧急协助，请拨打6789 5000联系Orange Force。

Note: If you prefer, please feel free to call Hock Wah’s hotline 8339 6888 / 9679 6229 for further assistance. | 如果您还需要其它关于保险索赔事宜，请拨打福华车厂热线： 8339 6888 或 9679 6229。

1. A holder of a VALID foreign driving licence who intends to stay in Singapore for ONE YEAR OR LESS, and who wishes to drive in Singapore during that period of time, is NOT required to convert his foreign driving is not in English, he is required to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation of his foreign driving licence in English.
2. A person residing or who intends to reside in Singapore for a period exceeding 12 months is required to convert his foreign driving licence to a Singapore driving licence in order to drive in Singapore.
3. Before applying for a Singapore driving licence, the applicant is required to pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT) at any of the driving centers.
4. Applicant has to furnish the following:
   1. Passport and NRIC / Employment Pass (EP) / Dependent Pass (DEP) / Work Permit / Social Visit Pass (SVP) / Entry Permit Cert (PR) / Student Pass (STP) and
   2. Fee: S$6.00
5. After passing the BTT, an application for licence conversion must be made IN PERSONat any of the following driving centers:
   • Comfort Driving Centre
     205 Ubi Avenue 4 Singapore 408865
   • Bukit Batok Driving Centre
     815 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 Singapore 659085
   • Singapore Safety Driving Centre
     2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4 Singapore 757387
     www.ssdcl.com.sg
6. The following documents (both ORIGINAL and PHOTOCOPIES) are required:
1. Passport (from 1st entry) and Entry Permit / EP / DEP / WP / SVP
2. A valid qualified foreign driving licence
3. A valid International Driving Licence (IDP)
4. An offical translation of the foreign driving licence from the relevant Embassy / High Commission, if it is not in English
5. An extract of driving licence record from the Licensing Authority, indicating the date of the first issue of the foreign driving licence & classes
6. A completed medical examination form (obtainable from Traffic Police Department or any of the test centers) for applicants age 65 and above, where applicable
7. A recent coloured passport size photograph with matt or semi-matt finish on the white background
8. A fee of S$50.00 (by Nets / Cashcard)
7. The foreign driving licence must be obtained at least six months prior to the issuance of the application’s EP / DEP / WP / PR / SVP etc
8. A Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident of Singapore who applies to convert foreign driving licence to a Singapore Driving Licence, has to show documentary proof from his passport(s) and other official documents (eg. Income Tax Documents, Result Transcripts of course of study etc), indicating that he has resided in the foreign country for at least SIX MONTHS CONTINUOUSLY. Either preceding the first issue of the foreign driving licence or from the 1st day of issuance of the foreign driving licence.
9. Contact & Feedback: spf_feedback_to@spf.gov.sg

For more information, please visit Conversion of Driving Licence on Singapore Traffic Police’s website.

外国驾驶执照转换注意事项

1. 拥有有效驾照而在新加坡停留时间不超过一年，可以在停留期使用该有效驾照。如果该驾照没有英文版，则需要一个公证后的英文翻译版本或者是国际驾驶执照。
2. 如果打算或者已经在新加坡停留时间超过一年，则必须将有效外国驾照转换成新加坡驾照（比如中国驾驶执照转换成新加坡执照）。
3. 在申请转换驾照前，申请人需要在各个驾驶考试中心通过基本理论考试。基本理论考试需要申请人的有效证件以及新币6元的考试费用。有效证件包括：护照和公民证 / 就业准证 / 工作准证 / 家属准证 / 访问签证 / 永久居民证 / 入境许可证 / 学生签证。
4. 通过基本理论考试后，申请人必须亲自去驾驶考试中心转换驾照（任选一间）：
• Comfort Driving Centre
  205 Ubi Avenue 4 Singapore 408865
• Bukit Batok Driving Centre
  815 Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 Singapore 659085
• Singapore Safety Driving Centre
  2 Woodlands Industrial Park E4 Singapore 757387
  www.ssdcl.com.sg
5. 驾照转换需要申请人提供以下资料和费用（包括原件和复印件）：
1. 护照（含有第一次进入新加坡之印章）和入境许可证 / 就业准证 / 家属准证 / 工作准证 / 访问签证
2. 有效外国驾驶执照或有效国际驾驶执照
3. 驾照有效期以及类型证明
4. 非英文驾驶执照的公证处或大使馆英文翻译版本
5. 最近白底哑光或半哑光人头像（护照照片尺寸规格）
6. 申请人年龄超过65岁仍需一份全身检查医疗报告（可以从交通警察部或检查中心获得）
7. 转换驾照费用为新币50元（只接受Nets或现金卡）
8. 基本理论考试通过证明
6. 申请人必须在拿到有效外国驾照后在所在国家连续住满半年以上，才能转换成新加坡驾照。
7. 新加坡公民或永久居民如如要转换外国驾照，则需提供护照或文件证明证实该申请人在国外连续居住六个月以上（比如所得税证明，学历证明等）。连续居住时期可从取得外国驾照时之前或之后计算。
8. 咨询邮件地址：spf_feedback_to@spf.gov.sg

以上中文资料如有出入，请以英文为准。欲知更多细节，请访问新加坡交通警察网站中关于驾照转换之页面（英文版）。

Update (Nov 25, 2011):

1. Please bring your old passport if you had used it to enter Singapore for resident purpose. （请带上你的旧护照，如果你曾用它进入新加坡申请居留或工作。）
2. For Driving License from China, please make sure your license has the ‘chip’ with it, which can be scanned at the Traffic Police counter. （对中国驾驶执照而言，须确认该执照具有微芯片以便通过新加坡交通警察部门柜台机器的扫描认证。）

It is an offence for any driver to leave the engine of a motor vehicle running when it is stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions.

Problems caused by idling engine
A stationary motor vehicle with engine running (idling) wastes fuel and also causes air pollution. It also causes smell and noise nuisance to the public.

A vehicle parked with engine running can damage the engine in the long term as the engine is not operating at optimum temperature for complete combustion of the fuel. This leaves fuel residues that may contaminate engine oil and make the spark plug dirty.

A vehicle parked with prolonged idling of the engine also allows water to condense in the vehicle exhaust, contributing to corrosion of the exhaust system.

• What is the law against stationary motor vehicles with engine running (idling)?
  Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations
• What is the purpose of the law?
  To minimise the emission of exhaust gases from vehicles
  To help conserve energy by minimising fuel wastage
  To minimise smell and noise nuisance to the public
• What is the penalty for this offence?
  A composition sum of $70 or
  A court fine not exceeding $5000
• Are there any exemptions to the law?
  No enforcement action will be taken under any of the following circumstances:
  1. Due to traffic conditions;
  2. For working of on-board machinery as for controlling cargo temperature, operating a life, crane, pump, hoist, mixer;
  3. Taxis/buses in a moving queue at their designated stops, stands or terminals waiting to pick up passengers;
  4. For law enforcement or emergency purposes, such as ambulances; or
  5. Vehicle under inspection, maintenance or diagnostics at inspection/repair facility.
• How to obtain further information on idling engines?
  If you need any further information on idling engines, please contact NEA Call Centre on 1800-CALL NEA (1800 2255 632) or email to: contact_nea@nea.gov.sg or visit www.nea.gov.sg

Or you’d like to visit us:
@ Bedok Branch | Block 3011 Bedok North Avenue 4, #01-2008/2010/2012, Singapore 489977
Tel: +65 6441 5655 | Fax: +65 6243 8121 | Email: bedok@hockwah.com.sg

@ Tampines Branch | Block 9006 Tampines Street 93, #01-204, Singapore 528840
Tel: +65 6785 3933 | Fax: +65 6788 3933 | Email: tampines@hockwah.com.sg

24 hrs emergency Hotline: 8339 6888 (Towing services included)

Or send us a message:
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