Owning a private car in Singapore is a very expensive endeavour. Car ownership includes and attracts a number of fees in addition to the car costs. These fees include vehicle insurance and road tax charges. This publication discusses the LTA road tax, covering the payment and renewal process.
The road tax is a compulsory, recurrent levy that is placed on car owners and drivers in Singapore. In essence, the government of Singapore instituted a road tax system to reduce road traffic on roads and encourage environmental practices. The road tax forms part of vehicle ownership tax in Singapore, and it is factored into the total price of the new car. According to regulations, road taxes are still transferrable in the event of the sale or purchase of a vehicle that has already had its road tax paid. The revenue accrued from road taxes is used to build and maintain land transport infrastructure in Singapore.
How to renew and pay road tax
Car owners and drivers who intend to renew their road tax are considered eligible to do so only after meeting the following requirements:
1. A vehicle insurance cover valid for the road tax period. According to the stipulations of this requirement, such an insurance cover must take care of third-party liability for deaths and physical injury. People who have cars that are not insured are automatically disqualified for renewals. They may also be subjected to stringer legal penalties.
2. A valid inspection notice. This document is given to vehicle owners 90 days to the day of road tax expiry by the Land and Transport Authority of Singapore. It is issued for vehicles that have undergone periodic inspections at a Land Transport Authority authorized inspection location.
3. To qualify for road tax renewal. Also, the vehicles owners are supposed to make sure that their vehicles are not subject to outstanding fines from the following Singaporean government agencies: Land and Transport Authority, Housing and Development Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority and Traffic Police.
4. In the event that the vehicle is classified as a heavy vehicle, it must have a Vehicle Parking Certificate to meet eligibility requirements. According to the Land Transport Authority, examples of heavy vehicles include vehicles with a 15-seat capacity, a trailer, a mobile crane, vehicles with a loading capacity of more than 5000 kg.
Typically, vehicle owners and drivers who pass the eligibility test proceed to renew their road tax after determining their road tax renewal payment rate through the online platform of Lands Transport Authority accessible through vrl.lta.gov.sg/lta/vrl/action/pubfunc?ID=EnquireRoadTaxPayable.
Initial road tax payment is made at the time of purchasing a new car as the road tax constitutes part of vehicle ownership tax in Singapore and is included in the total cost of a new vehicle. In the event of the purchase of a used vehicle, the road tax is transferred from seller to buyer.
Where do I renew my road tax?
Road tax renewals can be done electronically or in person. Renewal transactions can be undertaken through five channels. These channels are discussed below:
1. Via OneMotoring: This renewal channel is accessible through the URL: https://vrl.lta.gov.sg/lts/vrl/action/pubfunc?ID=RoadTaxEnquiryDT. With this method, the owner of the vehicle keys in the necessary details of the (plate number and owner ID). This method requires a valid credit or debit card issued by VISA and MasterCard for renewal charge payments. Vehicle owners who do not have a valid card are given particular internet banking methods. Renewals via OneMotoring can be done from 2:00 am till before midnight daily (local Singaporean time). This channel is generally recommended as the best method for renewing road tax in Singapore.
2. Via AXS Services: This renewal channel is hybrid: it offers both in-person and online payment modes. In-person payments are made at AXS Stations, where payments can be made with ATM Cards issued by the following seven Singaporean banks: DBS, POSB (Post Office Savings Bank), HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), Maybank, OCBC (Oversea Chinese Banking Corporation), Standard Chartered Bank and UOB (United Overseas Bank). Payment at these AXS locations can also be made with credit cards issued by DBS, POSB and Diners Club International. Apart from on-site locations, AXS also offers two online payment platforms (m-Station and e-Station). Under this payment mode, payments are made using eNets Debit- Internet Banking, DSB/POSB MasterCard Debit Card, DBS Paylah or Master Pass. Further information on site locations and electronic channels can be accessed at axs.com.sg
3. Via SAM Services: This renewal channel is also hybrid; accordingly, it offers in-person and online payment modes. In-person payments are made at SAM Kiosks using the NETS or NETS Flash pay payment infrastructure. For the online mode, Users can also use the SAM web and mobile applications to pay. This mode involves the use of eNets Debit- Internet Banking platform. Further information on site locations and electronic payment channels can be accessed at mysam.sg
4. Via GIRO (General Interbank Recurring Order): General Interbank Recurring Order, GIRO, is a cashless funds transfer method between banks that involves no paperwork. This method of renewing road tax is a bit complex and complicated. As part of the renewal process, users send a duly filled, completed application form by post to Land Transport Authority at least one and a half months prior to the expiration of existing road tax. Users also require a payment schedule outlining eligibility requirements to be satisfied before payment is made through this channel. This payment channel also offers DBS, POSB or OCBC account holders the opportunity of getting instant approval for their road tax renewals. The renewal process is done using this method normally takes as long as one month to be sorted.
5. Road Tax Collection Centres: This renewal channel requires in-person visits to designated centres for over the counter renewals. Designated locations include 291 SAM kiosks situated across Singapore, authorized insurance companies, Automobile Association of Singapore and JIC Inspection Services locations. Users present original copies of documents attesting to their satisfaction with eligibility requirements at the centres prior to payment. Most centres usually operate between 8:30 am to 6:00 pm (local Singaporean time).
How do I check my road tax status in Singapore?
Road tax status in Singapore can be accessed through; vrl.lta.gov.sg/lta/vrl/action/pubfunc2?ID=EnquireRoadTaxExpDtProxy. Information on road tax status can be accessed through the input of vehicle numbers.
How do I find out when my road tax expires?
Users can know their road tax status simply by inputting their car number. The Land Transport Authority also sends renewal notices a month before the expiration of the validity period of a road tax. Details about the expiry level of road tax are available at vrl.lta.gov.sg/lta/vrl/action/pubfunc2?ID=EnquireRoadTaxExpDtProxy.
How much is my road tax going to cost?
The Land Transport Authority has a dedicated platform that allows vehicle owners to perform calculations of road tax payments and renewal rates. This platform is accessible through vrl.lta.gov.sg/lta/vrl/action/pubfunc?ID=EnquireRoadTaxPayable. Information on tax renewal payment rates can be accessed through the input of vehicle registration numbers and engine and vehicle details. Also, some types of cars attract additional tax surcharges in addition to the regular road tax. Vehicles aged more than or equal to ten years attract a 10% annual road tax surcharge. Annual tax surcharge rates of 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% apply to vehicles aged more than or equal to 11, 12, 13 and 14 years, respectively.
The cost of road tax is also determined by the car’s engine capacity and fuel consumption rate. The engine capability calculations usually fall between S$ 312.8 (at the rate of 400 Singaporean Dollars multiplied by 0.782). The base value for computing on account of fuel consumption is pegged between 156.4 Singaporean Dollars (at the rate of 200 Singaporean Dollars multiplied by 0.782).
When can I renew my road tax?
Road tax renewals are done on a 6-month or yearly basis. The renewal process can be initiated three months before the expiry of an existing road tax. This is, however, subject to the fulfilment of basic eligibility requirements such as having vehicle insurance cover valid for the road tax period; valid inspection notice which is given by the Singaporean LTA to eliminate the possibility of vehicles not having existing charges from the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Traffic Police, Housing and Development Board, Land and Transport Authority. Failure to renew road tax as of the due date attracts late renewal fees. Car owners who fail to renew within six months of expiry face the prospect of court prosecution. Late renewal charges depend on the delay period and type of vehicle. These types of vehicle charges lie between S$10 and S$ 230.