ComfortDelGro's $200M AI Driving School: Singapore's Future of Driver Assessment

Date: March 11, 2026

Singapore is taking a massive leap forward in driver training and assessment with ComfortDelGro's announced investment of over $200 million to build a next-generation driving school in Choa Chu Kang. The new facility, set to replace Bukit Batok Driving Centre by 2030, will leverage artificial intelligence to conduct assessments—marking a significant shift from traditional human-instructor evaluations.

A New Era for Driver Training

The transportation giant unveiled its ambitious plans on March 11, revealing that the new driving centre at Lorong Bistari will utilize sensors, cameras, real-time monitoring systems, and AI-powered assessment tools. This technological overhaul aims to deliver more objective and independent training while addressing the declining number of private driving instructors in Singapore.

"The use of technology would benefit learners through more efficient and objective assessments, while contributing to safer roads in Singapore," said Mr. Vincent Tan, chief executive of ComfortDelGro Driving Centre. The AI systems will analyze driver behavior, reaction times, and decision-making patterns in real-time, providing consistent evaluations that eliminate human subjectivity.

What the New Facility Will Feature

Spanning 24,890 square meters with a gross floor area of 72,500 square meters across multiple storeys, the Choa Chu Kang driving school will be Singapore's second multi-storey driving facility after the Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC), which opened in 2010.

The centre will include at least two nursery circuits covering at least 18,000 square meters each, designed for beginners learning to drive cars and motorcycles. Additionally, there will be intelligent driving circuits equipped with AI assessment capabilities and simulator training facilities for classroom-based learning.

Notably, the new school will also cater to those applying for Class 4 and 5 heavy vehicle licenses—services currently exclusively available at SSDC, expanding access for Singaporeans seeking to operate larger vehicles.

Addressing Singapore's Driver Shortage

The $200 million investment comes at a critical time for Singapore's driving education ecosystem. The country has seen a steady decline in private driving instructors, creating growing concerns about accessibility and quality of driver training. By investing in technology-driven solutions, ComfortDelGro aims to maintain training capacity while reducing reliance on human instructors.

The AI-powered assessment system represents a paradigm shift in how driving competence is evaluated. Rather than relying solely on human instructors' judgments, the new system will use computer vision and machine learning algorithms to assess everything from lane discipline and signaling to hazard perception and parking accuracy.

Technology Meets Traditional Training

Despite the heavy emphasis on technology, the new driving school will still offer traditional training options. The integration of AI doesn't mean the end of human instruction—rather, it provides a complementary system that can enhance the learning experience.

Simulator training facilities will allow learners to practice in controlled virtual environments before hitting the actual roads, potentially reducing the risk of accidents during the learning phase. These simulators can replicate various driving scenarios, including challenging weather conditions and emergency situations, that might be difficult to safely create in real-world training.

Implications for Singapore's Transportation Future

This investment reflects ComfortDelGro's long-term confidence in Singapore's transportation ecosystem. "This is an important, long-term investment that will increase the number of drivers in our transportation ecosystem, and reflects our strong confidence in Singapore and our commitment to continually reinvest, innovate and build capabilities here," said Mr. Cheng Siak Kian, CDG's managing director and group chief executive.

The AI-driven approach also aligns with Singapore's broader smart nation initiatives, where technology is increasingly woven into everyday services. By applying AI to driver assessment, Singapore is positioning itself at the forefront of transportation technology in the region.

As the new driving centre opens in phases starting from 2030, it will set a new benchmark for driver training in Southeast Asia. Other countries in the region may look to Singapore's model as they seeking to modernize their own driving education systems.

The combination of AI assessment, simulators, and traditional training methods represents a balanced approach to driver education—one that embraces innovation while recognizing the value of human guidance. For Singapore's learners, this means potentially safer roads, more consistent assessments, and a modernized path to obtaining their driving licenses.

Sources

The Straits Times: ComfortDelGro to invest over $200m in driving education; new CCK driving centre to use AI in tests

This article is part of our ongoing coverage of AI developments in Singapore and Southeast Asia. For more AI news from the region, visit AI Dominance SG.