PART 1
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES
Vehicles to which this Part applies
3.Subject to section33, this Part applies to all vehicles and trailers.
Classification of motor vehicles
(a) | heavy locomotives; that is to say, motor vehicles which are not constructed themselves to carry any load (other than water, fuel, accumulators and other equipment and materials used for the purpose of propulsion, loose tools and loose equipment) and the weight of which unladen exceeds 11,500kilograms; | ||||||||||
(b) | light locomotives; that is to say, motor vehicles which are not constructed themselves to carry any load (other than any of the articles specified in paragraph(a)) and the weight of which unladen does not exceed 11,500kilograms but exceeds 7,250kilograms; | ||||||||||
(c) | motor tractors; that is to say, motor vehicles which are not constructed themselves to carry any load (other than any of the articles specified in paragraph(a)) and the weight of which unladen does not exceed 7,250kilograms; | ||||||||||
(d) | heavy motor cars; that is to say, motor vehicles (not being vehicles classified under this section as motor cars) which are constructed themselves to carry a load or passengers and the weight of which unladen exceeds 2,500kilograms; | ||||||||||
(e) | motor cars; that is to say, motor vehicles (not being vehicles classified under this section as motor cycles) which are constructed themselves to carry a load or passengers and the weight of which unladen—
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(f) | motor cycles and power‑assisted bicycles; that is to say, motor vehicles with less than 4wheels and the weight of which unladen does not exceed 400kilograms; | ||||||||||
(g) | invalid carriages; that is to say, motor vehicles which are specially designed and constructed and not merely adapted for the use of persons suffering from some physical disability and are used solely by those persons and the weight of which unladen does not exceed 250kilograms. [3/2017] |
(2)The Authority may make rules for subdividing any class of motor vehicles whether according to weight, construction, nature of tyres, use or otherwise and making different provision with respect to each subdivision and varying in respect of any class the maximum or minimum weight fixed by this section.
(3)Any reference in this Part to a class of motor vehicles includes a reference to any subdivision of such a class.
(a) | in any case where a motor vehicle is so constructed that a trailer may by partial superimposition be attached to the vehicle in such manner as to cause a substantial part of the weight of the trailer to be borne by the vehicle, that vehicle is deemed to be a vehicle itself constructed to carry a load; |
(b) | in the case of a motor vehicle fitted with a crane, dynamo, welding plant or other special appliance or apparatus which is a permanent or essentially permanent fixture, the appliance or apparatus is not to be deemed to constitute a load but is deemed to form part of the vehicle; and |
(c) | a side-car attached to a motor cycle is, if it complies with the prescribed conditions, to be regarded as forming part of the vehicle to which it is attached and not as being a trailer. |
Prohibition of vehicles not complying with rules as to construction, etc.
(2)The Authority may, by notification in the Gazette, authorise, subject to any restrictions and conditions that may be specified in the notification, the use of special vehicles or trailers or special types of vehicles or trailers which are constructed either for special purposes or for tests or trials and of new or improved types of vehicles or trailers whether wheeled or wheel-less.
(3)The Authority may at any time revoke, vary or amend a notification made under this section.
[10/2017]
(4)Subject to this section, it is not lawful to sell or to supply or to offer to sell or supply a vehicle or trailer for delivery in such a condition that the use thereof in that condition would be unlawful by virtue of this section.
[10/2017]
(a) | that the accused had possession of the vehicle or trailer; |
(b) | that the vehicle or trailer was not non‑compliant when the accused acquired possession of it; and |
(c) | that at that time or soon after the vehicle or trailer (as the case may be) ceased to be in the accused’s possession, the vehicle or trailer is non‑compliant. [10/2017] |
[10/2017]
(6)If a vehicle or trailer is used or is sold, supplied, offered or altered in contravention of this section, any person who so uses the vehicle or trailer or causes or permits the vehicle or trailer to be so used or so sells, supplies, offers or alters it or causes or permits it to be so sold, supplied, offered or altered shall be guilty of an offence.
[10/2017]
(a) | where the person is an individual—
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(b) | in any other case—
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[37/2012]
[37/2012]
(a) | any damage to or loss of a vehicle or trailer during the period when the vehicle or trailer is in the possession of the Registrar or the authorised officer which is not wilfully or negligently caused by the Registrar or the authorised officer in the exercise of his or her powers under this section; or |
(b) | any depreciation in the value of the vehicle or trailer because of the detention of the vehicle or trailer. [37/2012] |
[37/2012]
[37/2012]
[37/2012]
[37/2012]
(a) | firstly, in payment of any licence fee which may be due in respect of the vehicle or trailer; |
(b) | secondly, in payment of expenses occasioned by the sale or disposal and any charges reasonably incurred in storing, detaining or otherwise carrying out the provisions of this section; and |
(c) | thirdly, any damage caused to any property of the Government by the unlawful use of the vehicle or trailer, |
and the surplus (if any) must be paid to the person in whose name the vehicle or trailer was registered at the time of its sale or disposal or, if not claimed by such person within 12months after the date of the sale or disposal, is forfeited to the Government.
[37/2012]
[37/2012]
(a) | a contract or arrangement has been entered into, or an understanding has been arrived at, for the non‑compliant vehicle or trailer to be exported (whether or not the accused is a party to that contract, arrangement or understanding); |
(b) | the accused sells the non‑compliant vehicle or trailer in the course of, or for the purpose of, the non‑compliant vehicle or trailer being exported; and |
(c) | the accused does not offer that non‑compliant vehicle or trailer for sale in Singapore and the sale is not a retail sale. [3/2017] |
(a) | the accused had received from the person to whom the non‑compliant vehicle or trailer was sold, evidence purporting to show that the person does not intend to use the vehicle or trailer on any road; and |
(b) | it was reasonable to, and the accused did accept, that evidence as correct. [3/2017] |
“authorised officer” means any employee of the Authority who is duly authorised by the Registrar in writing to act under this section;
“non‑compliant vehicle or trailer” means a vehicle or trailer which does not comply with the rules as to construction, weight and equipment applicable to the class or description of vehicles to which the vehicle or trailer belongs;
(a) | is convicted, or found guilty, of such an offence (called the current offence); and |
(b) | has been convicted or found guilty (whether before, on or after 3 April 2020) of an offence under subsection(5) or (6) (whether involving a power‑assisted bicycle) on at least one other earlier occasion within the period of 5years immediately before the date on which the person is convicted or found guilty of the current offence. [3/2017; 9/2020] |
No riding of personal mobility devices, etc., on roads
[3/2017; 38/2018]
(a) | if the individual crosses the road by the shortest safe route, and does not stay on the road longer than necessary to cross the road safely; or | ||||||
(b) | if—
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(a) | to a fine not exceeding$2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3months or to both; and |
(b) | if the individual is a repeat offender, to a fine not exceeding$5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6months or to both. [3/2017] |
No riding of personal mobility device, etc., when towed by motor vehicle
[38/2018]
(a) | to a fine not exceeding$2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3months or to both; and |
(b) | if the individual is a repeat offender, to a fine not exceeding$5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6months or to both. [3/2017] |
Rules as to use and construction of vehicles
(a) | to regulate the width, height, wheel base, length and overhang of vehicles and trailers and the load carried thereby, the diameter of wheels and the width, nature and condition of tyres of vehicles and trailers and to prohibit the use of any tyres likely to cause damage to the roads; | ||||||
(b) | to prohibit excessive noise due to the design or condition of the motor vehicle or trailer or the loading thereof; | ||||||
(c) | to regulate the maximum weight unladen of heavy locomotives and heavy motor cars and the maximum weight laden of motor vehicles and trailers and the maximum weight to be transmitted to the road or any specified area thereof by a motor vehicle or trailer of any class or description or by any part or parts of the vehicle or trailer in contact with the road and the conditions under which the weights may be required to be tested; | ||||||
(d) | to prescribe the particulars to be marked on vehicles and trailers; | ||||||
(e) | to specify the number and nature of springs and brakes on vehicles and trailers and to secure that springs, brakes, silencers and steering gear are efficient and kept in proper working order and for empowering any person or classes of persons named or described in those rules to test and inspect those springs, brakes, silencers and steering gear on a road or, subject to the consent of the occupier of the premises, on any premises; | ||||||
(f) | to regulate the appliances to be fitted—
and to regulate or prohibit the use of any such appliance and to secure that they are efficient and kept in proper working order; | ||||||
(g) | to regulate the lights to be carried by vehicles and trailers whether in respect of the nature of such lights, the positions in which they must be fixed and the periods during which they must be lighted or otherwise; | ||||||
(h) | to prescribe the safety equipment to be installed in vehicles; | ||||||
(i) | to control, in connection with the use of a motor vehicle, the emission of smoke, oily substance, ashes, water, steam, visible vapour, noxious fumes, sparks, cinders, gas or grit; | ||||||
(j) | to regulate the towing or drawing of vehicles by motor vehicles and the manner of attachments; | ||||||
(k) | to prohibit in connection with the use of a motor vehicle the use of any appliance or the commission of any act which is likely to cause annoyance or danger; | ||||||
(l) | to regulate the number of trailers that may be attached in train to any motor vehicle, the manner of attachment and the manner in which the trailers are kept under control and the maximum weight thereof; | ||||||
(m) | to prescribe the number of persons to be employed in driving or attending motor vehicles or trailers and to regulate the duties and conduct of those persons; | ||||||
(n) | to prescribe a maximum speed for motor vehicles of any class or description and to provide for exemption in special cases; and | ||||||
(o) | to regulate or prohibit either generally or in specified areas or roads and either at all times or between specified hours the use of horns or other warning appliances. [25/2011] |
(2)The Authority may make different rules for different classes or descriptions of vehicles for the same class or description of vehicles in different circumstances.
[37/2012]
[37/2012]
Alteration of fuel-measuring equipment
[25/2011]
(2)Any person who contravenes subsection(1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3months.
[25/2011]
[25/2011; 23/2013]
Leaving Singapore in motor vehicle with altered fuel‑measuring equipment
[23/2013]
(a) | that the person in charge of a motor vehicle has attempted to leave Singapore in the motor vehicle if the motor vehicle is driven past the Customs gantry before the departure bay of the Immigration Checkpoint at any place prescribed for the purposes of section136 of the Customs Act1960; and | ||||
(b) | that the person in charge of a motor vehicle knew that the fuel‑measuring equipment of the motor vehicle has been altered for the purpose of preventing it from duly measuring or indicating the quantity of motor fuel in the fuel supply tank if there is found in the motor vehicle or on him or her, at the time he or she leaves or attempts to leave Singapore in the motor vehicle, any artificial or mechanical means which, either alone or in conjunction with additional artificial or mechanical means (whether or not found)—
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Trials and use of autonomous motor vehicles, etc.
(a) | provide for the regulation by the Authority of—
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(b) | require the person authorised under the rules to undertake the approved trial or carry out the approved special use (called in this section and section6D the specified person)—
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(c) | require the specified person to cause to be published (at the person’s cost), before the approved trial or approved special use starts, a notice about the approved trial or approved special use, in a manner as will secure adequate publicity for the approved trial or approved special use, including—
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(d) | provide for grant of an authorisation by the Authority to the specified person to undertake an approved trial or carry out an approved special use to be subject to conditions, and for the modification of those conditions by the Authority from time to time after affording the specified person concerned a reasonable opportunity to be heard; | ||||||
(e) | limit the period that an approved trial or approved special use may be undertaken or carried out; | ||||||
(f) | prescribe the weather and any climatic or other circumstances when an approved trial or approved special use may or may not be undertaken or carried out, as the case may be; | ||||||
(g) | prescribe the construction, design or use of infrastructure technology, equipment or devices in relation to the autonomous motor vehicle or automated vehicle technology involved in the approved trial or approved special use, including requiring that the vehicle—
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(h) | prescribe the use of the autonomous motor vehicles in the approved trial or approved special use, and their construction, design and equipment, for the safety of other road users or for public safety or both; | ||||||
(i) | require the keeping of records by the specified person, and the giving of information to the Authority or any other person designated by the Authority (such as sensor data and video footage from the autonomous motor vehicle) about the approved trial or approved special use undertaken or carried out, including the automated vehicle technology involved in the trial or special use; | ||||||
(j) | provide the grounds under which any authorisation granted under the rules to undertake an approved trial or carry out an approved special use may be cancelled in whole or part, or suspended in whole or part, after affording the specified person concerned a reasonable opportunity to be heard unless it is not practicable or desirable to do so in the circumstances of the case, including if—
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(k) | provide for a right to appeal to the Minister (whose decision on appeal is final) against any decision made by the Authority under the rules cancelling or suspending any authorisation granted under the rules to undertake an approved trial or carry out an approved special use, and the procedure for those appeals; | ||||||
(l) | prescribe the fees (either by specifying amounts or by prescribing a method of calculation) in relation to applications or requests to, or the doing of anything by, the Authority under the rules made under this section; | ||||||
(m) | provide that any contravention of any provision of the rules made under this section shall be an offence punishable with a fine not exceeding $10,000; and | ||||||
(n) | prescribe any saving and transitional provisions that may be necessary or expedient. [10/2017] |
(a) | that is commercially sensitive in nature; and |
(b) | that is the subject of a request to the Minister by a person connected with the approved trial or approved special use, or the proposed approved trial or proposed approved special use, for the information to be kept confidential, |
from being published or otherwise made public under this Part.
[10/2017]
[12/2021]
[10/2017]
[10/2017]
(a) | in relation to death or bodily injury caused by, or arising out of, the use of the vehicle or trailer on a road; and |
(b) | in relation to damage to property caused by, or arising out of, the use of the vehicle or trailer on a road. [10/2017] |
Exemptions and modified application of laws to approved trials and special uses
(a) | exempt (with or without conditions) from the application of section5 or other specified provisions of this Act or its subsidiary legislation, or any other applicable written law, any of the following:
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(b) | provide for the application of specified provisions of this Act or its subsidiary legislation, or any other applicable written law, affecting—
with prescribed exceptions, modifications and adaptations. [10/2017; 20/2019] |
[10/2017]
[10/2017]
[10/2017]
(a) | the Bus Services Industry Act2015; |
(b) | the Motor Vehicles (Third‑Party Risks and Compensation) Act1960; |
(c) | the Point‑to‑Point Passenger Transport Industry Act2019; or |
(d) | the Public Transport Council Act1987. [20/2019] |
Interfering with autonomous motor vehicle trial, etc.
(a) | hinders or obstructs an approved trial or the carrying out of an approved special use; or |
(b) | interferes with any equipment or device in or on an autonomous motor vehicle, or relating to any automated vehicle technology, used in an approved trial or approved special use, |
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
[10/2017]
[10/2017]
[10/2017; 9/2018]
Savings
7.Nothing in this Part authorises any person to use any vehicle or trailer so constructed or used as to cause a public or private nuisance or be deemed to affect the liability by virtue of any act or otherwise of the driver or owner so using such a vehicle.
Definition of licence
8.In this Part, “licence” means a vehicle licence issued under the provisions of this Part.
Appointment of Registrar, Deputy Registrar and assistant registrars
[10/2017]
(2)The Authority may appoint from among its officers a Deputy Registrar and any number of assistant registrars that may be required for the purposes of this Act.
(3)The Authority may give to the Registrar any directions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, that it may consider necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Part, and may vary or revoke those directions, and the Registrar must comply with any directions so given.
[10/2017]
Registration of vehicles
[10/2017]
(2)The Registrar may charge any fees that may be prescribed for the registration of a vehicle under this Act.
[10/2017]
Vehicles not to be registered without permits issued by Registrar
[10/2017]
[10/2017]
(3)The Minister may by notification in the Gazette, prescribe a limit on the number of permits to be issued by the Registrar under subsection(1) and the Minister may prescribe different limits for vehicles belonging to any category, class or description.
(a) | provide for the issue of permits under this section to successful applicants who submitted bids for the permits; |
(b) | require fees and deposits to be paid for the submission of applications for the issue of permits under this section, and provide for the forfeiture of deposits for non-compliance with any conditions governing the submission of such applications; |
(c) | prescribe the levy, or the method or manner for determining the amount of the levy, payable for a permit issued or transferred under this section; |
(d) | prescribe the period for which a permit issued under this section is in force and different periods may be prescribed for vehicles belonging to different categories, classes or descriptions; |
(e) | prescribe the conditions upon which permits are issued or transferred under this section; |
(f) | provide for a rebate on all or any part of the levy payable for the issue or transfer of a permit under this section, in such circumstances as may be permitted by the rules; |
(g) | provide for the cancellation of a permit issued or transferred under this section and the refund of all or part of the levy paid for the issue or transfer of the permit in such circumstances as may be permitted by the rules; |
(h) | provide for the transfer of permits under this section at any time prior to the registration of a vehicle authorised by the permit; |
(ha) | provide for the transfer of permits under this section to facilitate the replacement of defective vehicles; |
(i) | provide for the issue of permits, whether with or without the payment of a levy, for vehicles which were registered under this Act prior to 2 April 1990; |
(j) | provide for the renewal of a permit before or after its expiry and the levy and any other fee to be paid therefor; |
(k) | exempt any particular vehicle or class of vehicles from the payment of the levy for a permit issued or transferred under this section; and |
(l) | provide for all matters which are required or permitted to be prescribed or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this section. [7/2012] |
Heavy vehicle not to be registered without valid vehicle parking certificate
[4/2006]
Charge of tax on vehicles
(a) | the first registration of every vehicle under this Act; |
(aa) | the registration under this Act of a de‑registered vehicle; and |
(b) | every vehicle used or kept on any road in Singapore. [23/2013; 10/2017] |
(2)The tax must be paid upon a licence to be taken out by the person keeping the vehicle.
[23/2013]
(4)The tax chargeable under subsection(1)(b) in respect of a vehicle of any description is chargeable by reference to such annual or semi-annual rate as may be prescribed by the Minister from time to time.
(5)Any rates prescribed by the Minister may be so made to apply only to vehicles of a specified class, category or description and the Minister may prescribe different rates for vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or vehicles used for different purposes.
(a) | a rebate on all or any part of the tax payable for vehicles of a specified class, category or description; and |
(b) | different rates of rebate or the methods for determining the amount of the rebate for vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or vehicles used for different purposes. |
(a) | to be chargeable with the like tax as on the occasion of the issue of the vehicle licence or last vehicle licence issued for the vehicle under this Act, and to be so chargeable by reference to the prescribed rate applicable to the vehicle on that occasion; or |
(b) | if no vehicle licence has been issued for the vehicle under this Act, to be chargeable by reference to the prescribed rate applicable to the vehicle. |
(a) | the tax chargeable under subsection(1)(a) applies as if the replacement vehicle had been first registered under this Act on the same date as the defective vehicle which it replaced; and |
(b) | the tax chargeable under subsection(1)(b) applies as if the replacement vehicle had been used or kept on any road in Singapore since that same date. [7/2012] |
(8)Nothing in this section operates so as to render lawful the keeping of a vehicle for any period, in any manner or at any place, if to do so would be unlawful apart from this section.
[12/2021]
[12/2021]
(10)The Registrar may compound any offence punishable under subsection(9) by collecting from the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding $1,000 and the amount of the tax undercharged, and may before judgment stay or compound any proceedings thereunder.
Vehicular emissions tax
(a) | that is within a prescribed class or category, or of a prescribed description; and |
(b) | that has an emission level for any prescribed vehicular emission (including a deemed emission level) that exceeds the maximum level of the neutral emission band prescribed for the vehicle. [24/2017] |
(a) | must be paid upon the first registration of a taxable vehicle by the person keeping the taxable vehicle; and |
(b) | is the amount prescribed for that taxable vehicle. [37/2012; 24/2017] |
(a) | of an amount by which the vehicular emissions tax chargeable on the replacement vehicle (calculated for the purposes of this subsection as if the replacement vehicle was first registered on the same date as the replaced vehicle), exceeds the vehicular emissions tax chargeable on the replaced vehicle; or |
(b) | if any carbon emissions tax was chargeable on the replaced vehicle, of an amount by which the carbon emissions tax chargeable on the replacement vehicle (calculated for the purposes of this subsection as if the replacement vehicle was first registered on the same date as the replaced vehicle), exceeds the carbon emissions tax chargeable on the replaced vehicle. [24/2017] |
[37/2012]
(a) | a rebate on all or any part of the tax payable under section11(1)(a) for any taxable vehicle that has an emission level for any one or more prescribed vehicular emissions, that is below the minimum level of the neutral emission band prescribed for that emission in relation to a vehicle of that class, category or description, or used for a particular purpose; and |
(b) | different amounts of rebate or different methods for determining the amount of the rebate for taxable vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or used for different purposes. [24/2017] |
(a) | prescribe different amounts of vehicular emissions tax chargeable for taxable vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or used for different purposes; |
(b) | prescribe different neutral emission bands for different prescribed vehicular emissions; |
(c) | prescribe different neutral emission bands for vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or used for different purposes; and |
(d) | provide for the method or criteria for the method of determining or deeming the emission level of any prescribed vehicular emission of any taxable vehicle, and provide different methods or criteria for taxable vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or used for different purposes. [24/2017] |
[37/2012]
[37/2012; 24/2017; 12/2021]
[12/2021]
(a) | compound any offence punishable under subsection(8) by collecting from the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence—
| ||||
(b) | compound any offence punishable under subsection(8) as in force immediately before 1 January 2018, by collecting from the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence—
|
and may before judgment stay or compound any proceedings thereunder.
[24/2017]
“carbon emissions tax” means the tax chargeable under section11AA(1) as in force immediately before 1 January 2018;
“neutral emission band”, in respect of any vehicular emission, means the range of emissions from a minimum level to a maximum level, prescribed for a vehicle of any class, category or description or used for any purpose;
[24/2017]
Restricted licences and supplementary licences
(a) | provide for the issue of supplementary licences, whether at prescribed fees or without charge, and regulate their use and exhibition; and |
(b) | provide for all matters necessary or incidental to allow subsection(1) to apply or cease to apply to motor vehicles of any description, including the re-registration of the vehicles and the imposition of any fee or levy in connection with the re-registration. |
(a) | a fine not exceeding $5,000; and |
(b) | in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, a fine not exceeding $10,000. |
(a) | falsifies an identification mark or plate prescribed in the case of a motor vehicle issued with a licence subject to the restriction mentioned in subsection(1); or |
(b) | displays, or causes or permits to be displayed, a falsified identification mark or plate on the motor vehicle, |
shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be punished with a fine not exceeding $20,000 or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12months or with both.
(5)Despite the provisions of any written law to the contrary, a District Court or Magistrate’s Court has the jurisdiction to try any offence under this section and to impose the maximum penalty prescribed therefor.
Taxes and fees payable upon loss of exempt status
(a) | the operation of section 14 which is repealed by the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2021; |
(b) | an exemption under section 33; |
(c) | an exemption under any order made under section 142. |
(a) | upon the happening of the earlier of the following:
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(b) | at the end of any period of extension allowed by the Registrar for payment of that tax. |
(3)The tax under subsection (2) is payable and recoverable from the person who is keeping or using the vehicle when the disqualifying event happens for a relevant impost with respect to that vehicle.
(a) | where the disqualifying event relates to any tax payable under section 11 upon the first registration of a vehicle — an amount worked out in the prescribed manner, which must not exceed the amount of the tax that would have been payable under section 11(1)(a) on the first registration of the vehicle if not for an event in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c); |
(b) | where the disqualifying event relates to any levy payable under section 10A — an amount worked out in the prescribed manner, which must not exceed the amount of the levy that would have been payable under section 10A(2) on the first registration of the vehicle with a permit if not for an event in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c); |
(c) | where the disqualifying event relates to any other relevant impost — an amount worked out in the prescribed manner, which must not exceed the total amount of the relevant impost that would have been payable if the event in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) did not happen. |
(5)To avoid doubt, a vehicle to which this section applies may be the subject of different disqualifying events for different relevant imposts.
(6)To ascertain the relevant impost that was not payable upon the first registration, continued registration or the keeping or use on roads, of the vehicle concerned, any rebate from that relevant impost that may be claimed under section 11 when the vehicle was first registered must be reckoned.
(7)Any person who gives any incorrect information in relation to any matter affecting the amount of tax chargeable under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, and the court shall order the person to pay the amount of tax which has been undercharged.
(8)The amount of the tax under this section which has been undercharged and ordered under subsection (7) to be paid may be recovered according to the law for the time being in force for the recovery of fines.
(9)The Registrar may compound any offence punishable under subsection (7) by collecting from the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding $1,000 and the amount of the tax undercharged, and may before judgment stay or compound any proceedings thereunder.
(a) | the expiry of any period the relevant impost is not payable with respect to the vehicle because of an event in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c); |
(b) | the cancellation of the registration of the vehicle under section 27(1) or (1A); |
(c) | the first breach of any condition (whether a condition precedent or a condition subsequent) that the exemption described in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) with respect to the vehicle is subject; |
(a) | any fee payable under section 10; |
(b) | any levy payable under section 10A(2); |
(c) | any tax payable under section 11; |
(d) | any carbon emission tax payable under section 11AA as in force immediately before 1 January 2018, or any vehicular emission tax payable under that section as in force on or after that date. [Act 12 of 2021 wef 03/01/2022] |
Vehicles licensed outside Singapore
(a) | a citizen of Singapore; |
(b) | a resident of Singapore; or |
(c) | the holder of a work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act1990, |
the tax chargeable under section11(1)(a) must be paid in respect of the vehicle by the person keeping or using it in Singapore as if that vehicle is first registered and used in Singapore.
[30/2007]
(2)Any person who has in his or her possession or comes into possession of, or uses, a motor vehicle in respect of which a licence issued under the provisions of any law of any country relating to motor vehicles is in force must inform the Registrar, within the prescribed period, if he or she is a resident of Singapore or takes up residence in Singapore.
(a) | has been granted the status of a permanent resident of Singapore by the competent authority, even though he or she may not have a place of residence in Singapore; or |
(b) | resides in Singapore for a continuous period of 6months and any temporary period or periods of absence during that period is immaterial. |
(4)Any person who fails to comply with subsection(2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3months and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6months.
Commencement and duration of licences
(a) | for any period of 6months or 12months; and |
(b) | for any shorter period that the Registrar may approve, |
and is to, unless the Registrar otherwise determines, first have effect on the first day of the month in which the licence is applied for or on the day following the expiry of the last vehicle licence issued for the vehicle under this Act.
(2)A licence which first has effect before the day on which it is issued shall not affect any criminal liability incurred before that day.
14.[Repealed by Act 12 of 2021 wef 03/01/2022]
Using and keeping of vehicle without licence
(a) | shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000; or | ||||
(b) | if it has been proved to the satisfaction of the court that the person had the intention to evade payment of any tax chargeable under this Act, shall be punished on conviction with a fine of an amount equal to 3times the tax payable—
and ending with the last day of the month during which the offence was committed. |
Presumption as to use or keeping of vehicle
(a) | for a vehicle registered under this Act, that the person is, at the material time, recorded as the owner of that vehicle in a register of vehicles; |
(b) | for a vehicle the registration of which under this Act is cancelled under section27(1) or has lapsed, that the person is last recorded as the owner of that vehicle in a register of vehicles; or |
(c) | for a vehicle that is not registered under this Act and is not a vehicle mentioned in paragraph(b), that the person has a legal right to possession of the vehicle (including any person who has the use of the vehicle under a lease or hire‑purchase agreement, but not the lessor while the vehicle is being leased under any such agreement). [10/2017] |
[10/2017]
Continuous liability for duty
(a) | for any period for which tax under this Act in respect of the vehicle has been paid and has not been repaid in consequence of the surrender of a licence; |
(b) | for any period in respect of which the person has, in accordance with the rules, given notice to the Registrar that the vehicle will not be used or kept on a public road during that period; and |
(c) | for any period by reference to which there was calculated an amount ordered to be paid by the person as a fine pursuant to section15(b). [29/2018] |
(3)A person is not, by virtue of subsection(2)(b), exempt from the person’s liability for any period under subsection(1) in respect of a vehicle if at any time during that period the person or any other person with the firstmentioned person’s consent uses or keeps the vehicle on a public road and no vehicle licence is in force for the vehicle at that time.
(4)For the purposes of subsection(3), the consent mentioned in that subsection is presumed to have been given unless the contrary is shown, but any use or keeping of the vehicle in question as respects which the vehicle is exempt by virtue of any written law for the time being in force from tax under this Act is to be disregarded.
(5)Sums payable under this section by way of tax in respect of a vehicle accrue due for every period of a calendar month at one‑sixth of the semi-annual rate of tax applicable to the vehicle at the relevant time.
Suit for recovery of tax
[Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]
(2)In any suit under subsection(1), the production of a certificate signed by the Registrar giving the name and address of the defendant and the amount of tax from the defendant in respect of any vehicle kept by the defendant is sufficient evidence of the amount due and sufficient authority for the court to give judgment for that amount.
Issue and exhibition of licences
[7/2012]
(a) | that the licence applied for is the appropriate licence for the vehicle specified in the application and all fees and taxes due and payable in respect of the vehicle and any penalty recoverable from the registered owner of the vehicle under this Act or the rules have been paid; | ||||
(b) | in the case of an application for a licence for a vehicle purporting to be the first application for a licence for the vehicle, that a licence has not previously been issued for that vehicle; | ||||
(c) | that there is no warrant of arrest issued under section120 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 against the applicant in respect of any offence committed by the applicant under this Act or the rules or any written law specified in Part1 of the FirstSchedule; | ||||
(d) | that either—
| ||||
(e) | in the case of a motor vehicle to which section91 applies, that a test certificate in respect of the vehicle has been issued at any time within 3months prior to the issue of the vehicle licence or within any other period that the Registrar may approve; and | ||||
(f) | in the case of a heavy vehicle, that for the period of the licence there will be in force a vehicle parking certificate or such other document issued by the relevant authority under the Parking Places Act1974 in respect of the parking of the heavy vehicle. [15/2010; 10/2017] |
[10/2017]
[4/2006]
(6)Any vehicle licence may be transferred in the prescribed manner.
(7)Subject to subsection(8), the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, amend Part1 of the FirstSchedule.
(8)The Minister must, before exercising his or her powers under subsection(7), consult the Minister responsible for the written law to which the amendment relates.
Number of persons carried on vehicle
[4/2006]
[4/2006]
Late application for licence
[4/2006]
Surrender of licences
22.The holder of a licence may at any time surrender the licence to the Registrar in the prescribed manner and on so surrendering the licence is entitled, if the holder satisfies the prescribed requirements, to receive from the Registrar, by way of rebate of tax paid upon the surrendered licence, a sum equal to the amount of tax which had been charged for the remaining number of calendar months or part thereof for which the licence would have been in force.
Vehicle destroyed, exported, etc.
[7/2012]
Duty of manufacturers and dealers to notify Registrar and owners of safety-related defects in vehicles
(a) | the Registrar; | ||||
(b) | each person who has obtained such a vehicle from the manufacturer or dealer; and | ||||
(c) | each current owner of such a vehicle as determined from—
|
(a) | order the manufacturer or dealer to give notice of the defect by publication in all daily newspapers in Singapore or by dissemination in such alternative medium for such period as the Registrar may determine; or |
(b) | order that the current owner need not be notified. |
(a) | contain a description of the defect, an evaluation of the safety risk arising from it and the directions for rectifying it; and |
(b) | state the time and place at which the person to whom the notice is given may present the person’s vehicle in order that the defect may be rectified by the manufacturer or dealer or the manufacturer’s or dealer’s agent. |
(a) | within a period of one month from the date on which the notice is given; and |
(b) | thereafter, within any subsequent period that the Registrar may require, |
submit to the Registrar a report in such form and containing such information relating to the safety‑related defect and its rectification as the Registrar may require.
(a) | fails to comply with the requirements of subsection(1), (3) or (4) or any order given by the Registrar under subsection(2)(a); or |
(b) | fails to rectify or secure the rectification by the person’s agent of any safety-related defect in any vehicle that is presented for rectification pursuant to a notice given by the manufacturer or dealer under this section, |
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction—
(c) | to a fine not exceeding $2,000 for each vehicle in respect of which the offence is committed, subject to a maximum fine of $50,000; and |
(d) | in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $500 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction. |
(6)Despite the provisions of any written law to the contrary, a District Court or Magistrate’s Court has jurisdiction to try any offence under subsection(5) and to impose the maximum penalty prescribed therefor under that subsection.
(7)Any person who, being the owner of a vehicle in respect of which a notice has been given by a manufacturer or dealer under this section, fails to produce the vehicle for rectification within the period specified in the notice or any other period that the Registrar may allow shall be guilty of an offence.
(8)The Authority, with the approval of the Minister, may make rules for the purposes of carrying this section into effect.
“dealer” means a person who is engaged in the business of importing or selling vehicles;
“safety-related defect”, in relation to a vehicle, means a feature of the design or construction of the vehicle that is liable to cause significant risk of personal injury or death to any person using the vehicle or any other road user, and includes any defect relating to a component of the vehicle that is bought by the manufacturer of the vehicle from a supplier and sold by the manufacturer of the vehicle together with the vehicle as original equipment.
Alteration of vehicle or of its use
[10/2017]
[10/2017]
(3)Where a vehicle licence has been taken out for a vehicle, and by reason of the vehicle being used as mentioned in subsection(1), a higher rate of tax becomes chargeable and tax at the higher rate was not paid before the vehicle was so used, the person so using the vehicle shall be guilty of an offence.
Visitors’ vehicles
(a) | provide for the issue of a permit, in respect of a vehicle not registered under this Act that is brought into Singapore from any place outside Singapore (called in this section and section34D a foreign vehicle), authorising the keeping and use in Singapore of the vehicle for any period that the Registrar may determine; | ||||||
(b) | prescribe the manner of application for the permit; | ||||||
(c) | prescribe the fees and charges payable for the issue of the permit in accordance with any rates that may be approved by the Minister; | ||||||
(d) | prescribe the conditions for the issue of the permit; | ||||||
(e) | provide for the extension of the period of validity of the permit; | ||||||
(f) | provide for the cancellation of the permit; | ||||||
(g) | provide for the permit to be stored in any electronic form that the Authority may determine; | ||||||
(h) | regulate the use of the permit; | ||||||
(i) | [Deleted by Act 1 of 2006] | ||||||
(j) | provide for the levy of a tax for the keeping or use of a foreign vehicle in Singapore in accordance with any rates that may be prescribed by the Minister; | ||||||
(k) | prescribe the manner in which any fee or tax payable under the rules is to be levied and collected, including the use of electronic or computerised or other facilities, and the use by the foreign vehicle concerned of specified points of exit from Singapore, for that purpose; | ||||||
(l) | prescribe the records to be kept by the Registrar in connection with the rules; and | ||||||
(m) | empower the Registrar and any officer authorised by him or her to prohibit the entry by driving into, or exit by driving from, Singapore of any vehicle —
|
(3)Any rates prescribed by the rules may be made to apply only to vehicles of a specified class, category or description, and the Minister may prescribe different rates for vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or for vehicles used for different purposes.
[10/2017]
[10/2017]
Registration and identification marks
(2)Subject to this section, the Registrar must assign a separate number to every vehicle registered with him or her and a mark indicating both the registered number of the vehicle and the fact that it has been registered in Singapore must be fixed on the vehicle or on any other vehicle drawn by the vehicle or on both in the prescribed manner.
(3)The Registrar must, on any application for the registration of a bicycle made to him or her in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee, register the bicycle in the prescribed manner, assigning a separate number to every bicycle registered with him or her, and a mark indicating both the registered number and the fact that it has been registered must be fixed on the bicycle in the prescribed manner.
(4)If the mark to be fixed in accordance with this Act is not so fixed, or if being so fixed it is in any way obscured or rendered or allowed to become or to remain not easily distinguishable, the person driving the vehicle or having charge of the vehicle while it is being used shall be guilty of an offence.
(5)A person charged under this section with having an obscured mark or with obscuring a mark or rendering or allowing it to become or to remain not easily distinguishable shall not be liable to be convicted on the charge if the person proves that the person has taken all steps reasonably practicable to prevent the mark being obscured or not easily distinguishable.
(a) | the person had no reasonable opportunity of registering the vehicle in accordance with this section; and |
(b) | the vehicle is being driven on the road for the purpose of being so registered. |
Cancellation of registration
(a) | if the permit issued under section10A authorising the registration of the vehicle under this Act has been cancelled or has expired and has not been restored or renewed within the time prescribed therefor by this Act or any rules; | ||||||||
(b) | if no licence under section19 has been taken out for the vehicle for a period exceeding 3years by the registered owner who has notified the Registrar that the registered owner will not use the vehicle during that period; | ||||||||
(c) | if the tax chargeable under section11(1)(b) has not been paid by the registered owner of the vehicle for a period of 12months or any longer period; | ||||||||
(d) | if the Registrar is satisfied that the vehicle—
| ||||||||
(da) | if the Registrar becomes aware of a circumstance that would have required or permitted the Registrar to refuse to register the vehicle, had the Registrar been aware of the circumstance immediately before registering the vehicle; | ||||||||
(e) | if the vehicle exceeds the age-limit prescribed for the class or description of vehicles to which the vehicle belongs; or | ||||||||
(f) | if the vehicle has been forfeited pursuant to any written law. [4/2006; 37/2012; 23/2013; 10/2017] |
(a) | the vehicle has been so permanently altered (on or after the date of commencement of section 8 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2021 and whether in the course of repair or otherwise) so as to render its construction, weight and equipment or condition such that the vehicle no longer conforms to the class, category or description it is registered under; or |
(b) | the use of the vehicle has so materially changed (on or after the date of commencement of section 8 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2021) such that the use of the vehicle does not conform to the purpose of use it is registered for. [Act 12 of 2021 wef 03/01/2022] |
[4/2006; 23/2013]
[Act 12 of 2021 wef 03/01/2022]
[4/2006]
General licences
(a) | if satisfied as to the bona fides of the applicant; and |
(b) | on payment by the applicant of the prescribed levy, |
issue a general licence to the applicant either unconditionally or subject to any conditions that the Registrar thinks fit to impose.
(a) | more than one vehicle at any one time except in the case of a motor vehicle drawing a trailer and used for the prescribed purposes; or |
(b) | any vehicle for any purpose other than such purposes as may be prescribed. |
(4)Nothing in this section operates to prevent a person entitled to take out a general licence from holding 2or more such licences.
(a) | for the period of the licence there will be in force the policy of insurance or the security required by law in relation to the use of the vehicle by the applicant or by other persons on the applicant’s order or with the applicant’s permission; or |
(b) | the vehicle is a vehicle to which section3 of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act1960 does not apply at any time when it is being driven by the owner thereof or by an employee of the owner in the course of the employee’s employment or is otherwise subject to the control of the owner. |
(6)Provision may be made by rules under this Act for the issue of more than one type of general licence and for assigning a general identification mark to a person holding any licence issued under this section.
(7)No general licence may be assigned or transferred and the holder of any general licence who assigns or transfers or attempts to assign or transfer the licence shall be guilty of an offence.
(a) | that the issue of the licence has been procured by fraud or misrepresentation; or |
(b) | that the person to whom the general licence was issued has contravened or failed to comply with any of the provisions of this Act or the rules or with any condition of the general licence. [10/2017] |
(9)Upon the suspension or revocation of a licence under subsection(8), the holder of the general licence must surrender the general licence to the Registrar.
(10)If any person is aggrieved by the refusal of the Registrar to issue a general licence or by the suspension or revocation of a general licence, the person may appeal to the Minister.
(11)The Minister must, on any appeal, make any order in the matter that he or she thinks just and the Registrar must comply with any order so made.
(12)Any order made by the Minister under subsection(11) is final.
Special purpose licences
[10/2017]
(2)Sections10 and 11 do not apply in respect of a vehicle that is licensed under this section.
(3)Upon receiving an application under subsection(1) and upon payment by the applicant of the prescribed levy, the Registrar may issue a special purpose licence to the applicant either unconditionally or subject to any conditions that the Registrar thinks fit to impose.
(a) | any of the provisions of this Act or the rules; or |
(b) | any of the conditions subject to which the special purpose licence was issued. [10/2017] |
(a) | for the period of the special purpose licence there will be in force the policy of insurance or security required by law in relation to the use of the vehicle by the applicant or by any other person on the applicant’s order or with the applicant’s permission; or |
(b) | the vehicle is a vehicle to which section3 of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act1960 does not apply at any time when it is being driven by the owner thereof or by an employee of the owner in the course of the employee’s employment or when it is otherwise subject to the control of the owner. |
(6)A special purpose licence issued to any person under this section is not transferable to any other person and the holder of any special purpose licence who transfers or attempts to transfer the holder’s licence to any other person shall be guilty of an offence.
(a) | register the vehicle; |
(b) | remove the vehicle from use on all roads in Singapore and produce proof of that to the satisfaction of the Registrar; |
(c) | destroy or export the vehicle and produce proof of that to the satisfaction of the Registrar. [10/2017] |
(a) | to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3months; and |
(b) | in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6months. [10/2017] |
Offences in connection with registration and licensing of vehicles
[10/2017]
(2)If any person uses a bicycle which has not been registered or a trishaw which has not been licensed under this Part, the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100.
(3)[Deleted by Act 10 of 2017]
(4)Where a licence has been taken out for a motor vehicle to be used solely for a certain purpose and the motor vehicle is, at any time during the period for which the licence is in force, used for some other purpose, the person so using the motor vehicle or causing or permitting it to be so used shall, if the rate of fee chargeable in respect of a licence for a motor vehicle used for that other purpose is higher than the rate chargeable in respect of the licence held by the person, be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, shall in addition be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3months.
(a) | as to the number of motor vehicles used; |
(b) | as to the character, weight and horsepower of any motor vehicle; |
(c) | as to the number of seats provided in a motor vehicle; or |
(d) | as to the purposes for which any motor vehicle has been used, |
it is sufficient for a witness for the prosecution to give evidence on oath that, in consequence of inquiries which the witness has made or of reports which the witness has received, the witness has reasonable grounds for believing that—
(e) | the number of motor vehicles used; |
(f) | the character, weight and horsepower of any motor vehicle; |
(g) | the number of seats provided in a motor vehicle; or |
(h) | the purposes for which any motor vehicle has been used, |
or any one or more of these facts was or were such as would be necessary to establish the offence charged.
(6)Thereupon the burden is on the defendant to prove that the number of motor vehicles used or the character, weight and horsepower of any motor vehicle, the number of seats provided in a motor vehicle or the purposes for which any motor vehicle has been used (as the case may require) was or were in fact such that the offence charged was not in law committed by the defendant.
Court may order offender to pay arrears of taxes
(2)The amount under subsection(1) may be recovered according to the law for the time being in force for the recovery of fines.
Power to seize and sell vehicles
(2)The person to whom any warrant is addressed may break open in the daytime any house or building for the purpose of the seizure of the vehicle pursuant to the warrant.
(3)Any fees prescribed by the Authority are payable by way of costs in the case of the issue of a warrant for the recovery of any tax under this section.
Limitation on bringing of proceedings for recovery of over‑payment of tax
31.No proceedings may be brought for enforcing any repayment of tax to which a person may be entitled in respect of any over-payment of tax made on a vehicle licence taken out by the person, unless the proceedings are brought before the end of the 12months beginning with the end of the period in respect of which the licence was taken out.
32.[Repealed by Act 4 of 2006]
Exemptions and application to vehicles belonging to Government
(2)This Part applies to vehicles belonging to the Government.
33A.[Repealed by Act 38 of 2018]
33B.[Repealed by Act 38 of 2018]
Rules for purposes of this Part
(a) | to regulate the registration and licensing of vehicles, to prescribe the forms of application for and the contents of vehicle licences, and to provide special facilities for the licensing of motor vehicles brought into Singapore from places outside Singapore; | ||||
(b) | [Deleted by Act 4 of 2006] | ||||
(c) | to prescribe the size, shape and character of the identification marks or the signs to be fixed on any vehicle and the manner in which those marks or signs are to be secured, sealed, displayed and rendered easily distinguishable whether by night or by day and to prohibit those marks, signs and seals from being tampered with; | ||||
(d) | to provide for the marking of prescribed particulars on any vehicle; | ||||
(da) | to require any person to whom any vehicle is sold or disposed of or any person who sold or disposed of any vehicle to furnish any particulars of the sale or disposal that the Registrar may require; | ||||
(db) | to require any person who is, in the course of business, selling or supplying, or offering or exposing for sale or supply, by retail, any vehicle on any premises or place—
| ||||
(e) | to prescribe the form of, and the particulars to be included in, the register with respect to vehicles for which a general licence has been taken out by a manufacturer, repairer or dealer and the identification marks to be carried by any such vehicle and to define the purposes for which the holder of a general licence may use a vehicle under the general licence; | ||||
(f) | to extend any provisions as to registration and provisions incidental to those provisions to any vehicle in respect of which taxes chargeable under this Part are not payable and to provide for the identification of the vehicle; | ||||
(g) | to provide for information contained in any records maintained by the Registrar with respect to the marking, registration, licensing or keeping of vehicles to be made public or to be made available, either without payment or on payment of the prescribed fee, to any persons that may be determined by or under the rules; | ||||
(h) | with respect to the form and particulars to be included in a notice under section17(2)(b), the manner of giving the notice and the time at which it is to be treated as being given; | ||||
(i) | for securing that notice under section17(2)(b) is not given in respect of a period of less than 30 days or more than 12months; | ||||
(j) | as to the mode of calculating the period in respect of which notice under section17(2)(b) is to be treated as given; | ||||
(k) | with respect to the mode of proving the giving of the said notice; | ||||
(l) | for deeming the said notice to have been given in relation to a vehicle in respect of any period or at any time if in the circumstances of any particular case the Minister considers it reasonable to do so; | ||||
(m) | to make provision with respect to the furnishing of information and production of certificates of insurance or security and with respect to the registration and identification of such vehicles (including vehicles belonging to the Government); | ||||
(n) | to prescribe the particulars to be marked on vehicles and trailers; | ||||
(o) | to prescribe —
| ||||
(p) | to prohibit the registration under this Act of used vehicles beyond a prescribed age-limit; | ||||
(q) | to prescribe a levy for the re-registration of a used vehicle in the name of the purchaser of the vehicle; | ||||
(r) | to regulate the registration, licensing, keeping and use of heavy vehicles; and | ||||
(s) | to regulate the registration and licensing of a replacement vehicle, and to deem the date of registration of the replacement vehicle to be the same as that of the vehicle which it replaced for any of the purposes of this Act. [4/2006; 7/2012; 3/2017; 10/2017] |
(a) | where the person is an individual—to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 24months or to both; or |
(b) | in any other case—to a fine not exceeding $40,000. [9/2020] |
[Act 4 of 2008 wef 01/04/2024]