​COVID-19 Circuit Breaker: New Measures That May Impact You As a Vehicle Owner

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[UPDATE] 5 June 2020, 5.45pm

The Land Transport Authority has announced that Authorised Inspection Centres (AICs) will resume vehicle inspection services for private cars from 8 June 2020. More details here.

In light of the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker measures, LTA will be making several adjustments that may impact vehicle owners in Singapore.

These adjustments follow the recently announced elevated safe distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore.

As such, there will be some changes to vehicle-related transactions. For those unsure, we have put together a handy Q&A for you below:

What should I do if my COE has expired?

If your COE has expired, you are not allowed to drive your vehicle under any circumstances. If you are caught, the penalty is a fine of up to S$1,000 or up to 3 months in prison or both.

A mandatory disqualification from holding a driving licence for at least 12 months will also be issued.

You are required to park your vehicle, and continue paying for its season parking until the elevated safe distancing measures are lifted on 4 May 2020. You can then arrange for a tow truck to deliver your deregistered vehicle to a scrapyard or exporter.

How do I renew my COE?

You may still renew your COE by bank transfer via OneMotoring. For those intending to renew your COE, you have one month to do so after your COE expires, but you will be subjected to late renewal fees from S$50 to $250. This is payable, irregardless of the impact caused by the Circuit Breaker.

If you’re unable renew within one month after your COE expires, you may have to contact LTA and request for an extension. However, this is a case by case basis, and it will be highly unlikely that your request will be granted. Your vehicle will be automatically deregistered if an extension is not granted and you won't be able to renew its COE again.

Most loan providers are deemed non-essential, and will be closed from 7 April to 4 May 2020.

If you require help with your COE renewal, kindly fill up the form below. Not only will we help you source for the lowest COE loan interest rates in Singapore, but we will also provide you with updates if your COE renewal process is affected by any changes.

How do I deregister my vehicle?

You can deregister your vehicle via OneMotoring. Please follow this guide if you are unsure of how to do so.

Owners will have three months to dispose of their deregistered vehicles. It includes owners who have recently deregistered their cars and those with their one-month disposal deadline approaching.

All LTA-authorised scrapyards, Export Processing Zones, and other vehicle exporters will not be open during this period.

Remember, it is an offence to drive a deregistered vehicle. If you are caught, the penalty is a fine of up to S$1,000 or up to 3 months in prison or both. A mandatory disqualification from holding a driving licence for at least 12 months will also be issued.

Feel free to enter your details below if you are looking to scrap your vehicle after the elevated safe distancing measures are lifted. You can also submit your details if you want to receive the latest updates on this.

Help! My vehicle inspection/road tax is due soon!

LTA will be deferring periodic inspections for private cars that are due between 7 April to 4 May 2020.

If your vehicle is due for inspection after the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker measures are lifted, you will have to send your car for inspection first before you can renew your road tax.

Goods vehicles, buses, taxis, private-hire cars and motorcycles are still required to go for periodic inspections. Authorised Inspection Centres will remain open to facilitate these inspections.

Vehicle owners can still renew their road tax online for six months via OneMotoring, provided they have valid insurance coverage.

Can I drive my car if my road tax has expired?

No, it is a serious offence to keep or drive a vehicle without paying for road tax. The penalty includes a fine of up to S$2,000. Late renewal fees from $10 to $270 also apply.

My car insurance is expiring soon!

There are no changes to car insurance. You may proceed to your preferred company to renew or purchase your insurance if they have digital services available.

If you would like to compare online quotes from different companies, click on the button below and we can help you assess which company provides the most competitive policy for your needs.

Help Me Compare Online Car Insurance Quotes

Do I need to go for seal inspection my off-peak car (OPC)?

Seal inspection for OPCs will be waived during this period. Under normal circumstances, OPCs will need to pass an annual seal inspection before they can renew their road tax.

How do I transfer vehicle ownership to another person?

You may still transfer vehicle ownership via OneMotoring. Please follow this guide if you are unsure of how to do so.

How do I pay for traffic fines or file an appeal?

You can still pay for traffic fines and submit appeals through OneMotoring. Unfortunately, speed and red-light cameras will still remain in operation during this period.

Are other traffic or vehicle-related services still available?

Yes, they are available via OneMotoring. It includes buying an e-Day Licence, declaring OPC usage, confirming/cancelling transfers, changing authorised person’s details, and other enquiries.

Will the COE Bidding Exercise continue in April? (Updated)

No. LTA recently announced the COE Bidding Exercises in April 2020 has been suspended. Dealers may use their existing stock of Temporary COEs (TCOEs) to register new vehicles

The Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP) for CAT A to D will apply in May 2020. Car owners can pay the May 2020 PQP from 15 April 2020.

Due to the closure of LTA office, no cash or cheque payments for PQP will be allowed. Owners are advised to renew their COE online instead.

When will ERP operations cease?

ERP operations will cease at all gantries from Monday, 6 April 2020 at 0000 hours.

Are car grooming services still available?

No. They are not considered essential services.

What about vehicle recovery and repair services? (Updated)

Yes, they will still be operating. However, routine servicing will not be allowed.

Can I wash my vehicle at HDB car washing bay? (Updated)

Yes. As of 20 April 2020, a call to HDB verified that you CAN indeed wash your car at designated HDB parking lots.

However, you MUST ensure that you follow the necessary safe distancing measure. For instance, being alone while you wash your car, wearing a mask and ensuring that you do not spend more time than you need to.

Can I ferry my colleague to work? (Updated)

The answer to this is still unclear. As of 20 April, there is no clear jurisdiction between LTA and the Traffic Police with regards to this.

There is no answer on LTA's side. On the other hand, the Traffic Police mentioned no fines will be issued on their end with regards to ferrying of another colleague from the same essential services of the same workplace.

This is of course, subjected to other safe distancing measure such as wearing a mask etc.

Is Motorist closed during this period?

No, our online services are still available. You may still obtain an online valuation for your vehicle, compare bank loans for COE renewal, compare quotes for car insurance, and manage your vehicle with the Motorist App.

For any future updates, kindly refer back to this article. Alternatively, you may also download the Motorist App. We will be sending updates to our users there as well.

Read More: ERP To Be Ceased With Effect From 7 April

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