The Ultimate Guide to Renewing your Road Tax - DirectAsia

Road tax is just one of the many running costs of driving a vehicle in Singapore. It is required by law and has to be renewed annually or on a 6 month basis. For new car or motorcycle owners, the process of renewal may seem complicated but in this article we aim to clarify any questions you may have about your upcoming road tax renewal.
 

Check This Pre-Requisites Before Renewing Your Road Tax

Before renewing your vehicle’s road tax, make sure to meet all your renewal prerequisites at least 3 working days in advance. You have to renew your road tax before it expires, or you will have to pay late renewal fees and fines of up to $2,000. You may also be charged in Court for keeping an unlicensed vehicle.
 

• Road Tax Renewal Notice – If you are unable to produce the renewal notice, a validated road tax disc will not be issued on the spot.
• Certificate of Motor Insurance or Cover Note – LTA requires that you have insurance for the entire duration of the new road tax. Make sure you renew your motor insurance with a trusted car insurance company.
• Inspection Certificate – Passing a vehicle inspection is required to renew your road tax. Inspections must be conducted by authorised inspection centres. Here is the frequency of inspection depending on your vehicle:
• Number Plate Inspection Certificate (applicable to off-peak cars)
• Vehicle Parking Certificate (applicable to heavy vehicles such as buses, trailers, mobile cranes, and recovery vehicles)
• Pay off outstanding fines from LTA, HDB, URA and Traffic Police
   

4 Easy Ways to Renew Your Road Tax

Once you have all the applicable pre-requisites, there are four easy ways in which you can proceed with your road tax renewal.
 

• Online (service is available daily from 6 am to 12 midnight)
• Kiosks - AXS Stations (service is available from 6 am to 12 midnight) & iNet Kiosks
• GIRO (General Interbank Recurring Order)
• Collection Centres and SingPost
   

Don't Miss: 4 Habits of Highly Successful Drivers
 

For a complete list of the Road Tax collection centres in Singapore, check out the One Motoring website here.

If you have successfully completed the road tax renewal, a validated road tax disc will be sent to you within 5 working days. Road tax disc are used to identify vehicles which are up to date with on their road tax. [Starting February 15, 2017, however, the LTA will no longer be issuing any paper road tax discs and will not be a required display on vehicle windscreens. Motorists will only be given a payment notice which must be in the vehicle at all times.] Do note that you will only be able to use your vehicle 14 days (excluding Sundays and Public Holidays) after the road tax’s expiry. Please renew your road tax before the expiry date. Otherwise, late renewal fees will be imposed. Driving a vehicle without a valid road tax is an offence and liable to a fine of $2,000.
 

How You Can Calculate Road Tax for Your Car

Road tax is computed by a variety of factors. The age of the vehicle, engine capacity, vehicle scheme, and propellant used are all taken into account. Take a look at how some of these factors might affect the cost of your road tax.
 

• Old Vehicles (Cars and motorcycles 10 years and older)

Vehicles more than 10 years old incur a surcharge of 10% to 50% on top of the standard road tax. (10% surcharge for 10 year old vehicles with 10% increments for each additional year – a maximum of 50% surcharge)
 

• Revised Off-Peak Cars (ROPC)

Revised off-peak cars, on the other hand, get $500 off their annual road tax which is subject to a minimum road tax payment of $70 annually.
 

• Engine Capacity

In order to know how much road tax you’d need to pay, simply key in your details here.
 

• Special Tax

A Special Tax is levied on diesel cars and is payable in addition to the road tax of the vehicle. Starting 20 February 2017, the diesel tax restructure will focus on usage and volume, instead of continuing with the current lump sum special tax on diesel vehicles.
 

You May Be Interested In: What is the Easing of Car Financing Mean for You?
 

Reminders Before Road Tax Renewal
 

• Make sure to resolve any pending traffic and parking fines from the Housing and Development Board, Urban Redevelopment Agency, Land Transport Authority, and the Traffic Police before you renew your road tax.
• Your motor insurance must not expire within the new road tax period. Extend or renew your motorcycle or auto insurance policy before getting your insurance certificate. To add to this, a valid car or motorcycle insurance must be in your vehicle at all times.
• Avoid delaying your road tax renewal. Late fees will be applicable to those who haven’t renewed their road tax on time. Rebates are available for those who renew their road tax ahead of time.
   

Renew your auto insurance in time for your road tax expiry. Receive a quick car insurance quote here to get started. Choose the plan you want. Pay the way you want. You are insured!