Singapore Vehicle Registration Process

Understanding The Process of Vehicle Registration In Singapore

Before we dig into the details of registering an imported car in Singapore, we should briefly touch on the limitations applied to cars brought in from another country. Any vehicle that is more than three years old (from the date of initial registration) is not allowed to be imported or registered in Singapore.

Vehicles imported into Singapore must also be right-hand drive, meaning the steering wheel is on the right, rather than the left side of the car. This can be an issue if you’re shipping a car from most places in North America. If you are intent on shipping a left-hand drive vehicle, you will have to make the appropriate (and pricey) changes to get it registered locally.

If you happen to be importing a used vehicle, there is a hefty charge ($10,000 as of this writing) in addition to the ARF, or Additional Registration Fee.

Requirements For Singapore Car Enrollment

The following documents are required to register a car in Singapore:

• Proof of identification

• Registration application form
• Certificate of Entitlement (COE)*
• Proof of residency & identification
• Valid insurance
• Purchase invoice (if the car is new)
• Certificate of vehicle inspection
• Any customs or import paperwork

*The Certificate of Entitlement is a document required to register a vehicle in Singapore and must be bid on at auction. The system has been

implemented to restrict the number of cars on the road. You can learn more about the COE by clicking here.

For further information on the requirements for registering an imported vehicle in Singapore, see the resource at the bottom of this page titled “Land Transit Authority.”

If you’d like more information about the shipping process when it comes to importing a vehicle in Singapore, click here to visit our international shipping page! There you can learn more about the costs, limits, and procedures of shipping a car, truck, or motorcycle to Singapore.

Car Inspection & Enrollment Resources

One of the main parts of the registration process is the roadworthiness or car inspection. This section briefly outlines what this inspection entails and concludes with some helpful resources that can help you round out what you learn about the topics covered on this page.

Auto Inspection Process

If you’re importing a vehicle to be registered in Singapore, you’ll have to get it inspected for mechanical and safety issues at an office of the Land Transit Authority. Emissions testing is a big part of the test so it’s important to make sure that your car is compliant with Singapore vehicle emissions standards, which are the same as those used in the EU.

(*Important note: EU vehicle emission standards are slightly different from those in the U.S.).

Car Enrollment Resources

Land Transit Authority - The Land Transit Authority is the governmental body of Singapore that you’ll need to register your car with. On their website, you can find further information about how to register a vehicle, as well as expected costs and driving tips.

An excellent reference for learning more about the car registration process in Singapore is Importing a Car into Singapore. Parts of it repeat what's on this page, while others provide further information, for example on the car inspection, de-registering, or registering a motorcycle.

Do you have questions or concerns about shipping a vehicle to Singapore? Call us today at 1-888-230-9116 to learn how we can help! We provide worldwide service, both shipping and storage, and offer FREE cost estimates! Call or email today to learn about our discount programs!