Getting Your License & Buying A Motorcycle in Singapore | DirectAsia
Thinking of owning and riding a motorcycle? If you don’t want to rely on public transport daily, buying a motorcycle is a good idea. Motorcycles are convenient to ride, easy to park and cheaper to maintain, but their design increases the risks of serious injury in an accident. So, ensure you ride responsibly at all times!
Importantly, motorcycles are also not as expensive as cars – not only because of pricing but also parking, petrol, maintenance and insurance. Besides that, you must first have a valid motorcycle license and COE if you want to ride in Singapore.
How can I get my motorcycle license?
If you are new to the country, and you’re wondering how to first get a motorcycle license, or how to convert it to a Singaporean motorcycle license, here’s a quick guide:
Short Stays
If you are here for a holiday or on a short-term visit pass, there is no need to convert your motorcycle license to a Singaporean license. Instead, you have to obtain a valid foreign license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) from an authorised organisation in your own country and an official translation of your license in English - unless you’re employed as a driver holding a work permit or S pass. In this case, you must hold a valid driving license recognised by the Singapore Traffic Police.
Long Stays
If you are staying in Singapore for more than 12 months, getting your own valid Singapore motorcycle license is a must.
There are 2 ways to get your motorcycle license in Singapore – go through the motorcycle license test as everyone else does, or convert your existing foreign license.
You can convert a non-Singapore motorcycle license into a Class 2B license once you pass the Traffic Police’s Basic Theory Test (BTT). This test can be booked at either the Bukit Batok Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre or the Singapore Safety Driving Centre.
Bear in mind that if you wish to own and ride a larger motorcycle of Class 2A (engine capacity of 201 cc to 400 cc) and Class 2 (engine capacity of 401 cc and above), you’d need the following:
- Documented proof of training and testing with a larger motorcycle;
- Documented proof of ownership of a larger motorcycle; and
- Approximately 1-year of overseas riding experience on the road.
Motorcycle COE
A COE, or Certificate of Entitlement is a must for your newly owned motorcycle in Singapore. As of October 2022, the COE price for owning a motorcycle in Singapore has hit a new high of $12,801. It’s not cheap, but much cheaper compared to the COE for a car.
This piece of documentation entitles you to register, own and use your motorcycle in Singapore for 10 years. You can get one by bidding in auctions administered by the LTA, every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.
After 10 years, you will either pay to renew it for an additional 5-10 years – to continue using your motorcycle – or deregister and scrap your vehicle.
Where to get your motorbike
Now you’re ready to get your motorcycle. If you’re looking for a new one, you can go to any authorised motorcycle dealer in Singapore. Here’s a few worth exploring:
- Unique Motorsports
- A.S. Phoon
- Mah Pte Ltd
- United Cycles
- Southern Motor
- GP Motoring
- Comfort Cycle
- Sin Boon Motor Co
If second-hand bikes are more within your budget, you can search for it on motorcycle marketplaces online. You could still visit the dealers, but they will take a cut, which will mark up the overall sales price.
Some of the sites which lists second-hand motorcycles include:
Additional Costs of Owning a Motorcycle
Besides the cost of the motorcycle license, the COE and actually buying the bike, there are other costs like road tax and tax duties.
Below are the overall estimate of the other costs involved:
| Types of Fees | Costs |
| Registration Fee | $220 |
| Additional Registration Fee | ~$5,000, depending on the Open Market Value (OMV) of the bike |
| Excise Duty | 12% of OMV |
| Road Tax | ~$100 (based on the power rating of your motorcycle or scooter) |
Get Insured!
Remember that it is mandatory to get motorcycle insurance coverage before you take your two-wheeled beauty out for a spin. A comprehensive motorcycle insurance covers you not only from third-party liability claims, or if your motorcycle gets stolen or damaged by fire, but also protects you from crashes, natural disasters, vandalism and towing following an accident.
So, if you’re ready to take your new bike on the road, get an instant quote from DirectAsia now!
