Civil servants in Singapore, take note: You must apply for permission before you can carry out carpooling services as it constitutes as moonlighting, The Straits Times reported.

The Public Service Division (PSD) has said that civil servants must declare additional trade or work that draws income to ensure that there is no conflict of interest.

The request will then be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Singapore public service is the largest employer with about 145,000 employees.

Can earn up to S$600 a month

According to Grab, a driver that offers carpooling services can receive up to S$600 per month in compensation.

This is so as private car owners are paid a distance-based fare with GrabHitch.

Grab says the service "encourages road users to carpool... and contribute to a car-lite movement".

However, the Road Traffic Act limits car owners to two paid carpooling trips a day at most.

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Grab's argument is that drivers do not earn profits from providing the service, and on average, just covers costs. These include petrol, parking and maintenance.

Although a driver can theoretically ferry four passengers in his car on a single trip -- each paying anywhere between S$8 to S$12 -- to carpool all the time is not possible.

SAF fined staff sergeant for moonlighting

This hoo-ha over public servants offering carpooling services surfaced after the Singapore Armed Forces supposedly fined a staff sergeant S$2,000 for giving 140 rides using the GrabHitch app between October and March.

The case was shared in a screenshot posted on social media, showing an SAF case study of moonlighting.

The SAF regular had not sought prior approval.

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Top photo via Grab