Singapore Road Tax Explained: Rates by Engine Capacity

What Is Road Tax in Singapore?

Road tax is a recurring fee that every vehicle owner in Singapore must pay to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the right to use the public road network. Unlike the Certificate of Entitlement, which is a one-time cost that grants 10 years of vehicle ownership, road tax is an ongoing obligation that must be renewed every six or twelve months for as long as the vehicle remains registered. Failure to pay road tax on time results in a late payment penalty and can lead to the vehicle being classified as unlicensed, which carries fines and potential seizure if driven on public roads.

Road tax in Singapore is calculated primarily based on the vehicle's engine capacity, measured in cubic centimetres (cc). The system uses a progressive tiered structure: smaller-engined vehicles pay less per cc than larger-engined ones. This design incentivises the ownership of smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles and reflects the government's broader transportation policy of managing road usage and emissions.

For electric vehicles, which have no engine capacity, a separate framework based on power output applies. We cover this in detail below. Use our Road Tax Calculator to compute your exact road tax amount instantly.

Road Tax Rate Structure for Petrol and Diesel Cars

The road tax for petrol and diesel cars is calculated using a tiered formula. The annual road tax is determined by applying different rates to successive portions of the engine capacity. This means a 2,000 cc car does not pay one flat rate on the full 2,000 cc; instead, the first 600 cc is taxed at one rate, the next 600 cc at a higher rate, and so on.

Tiered Road Tax Table for Cars

Engine Capacity (cc)	6-Month Road Tax Rate
First 600 cc	$200 per semester (base)
601 cc to 1,000 cc	$0.125 per cc above 600 cc (per semester)
1,001 cc to 1,600 cc	$0.375 per cc above 1,000 cc (per semester)
1,601 cc to 3,000 cc	$0.75 per cc above 1,600 cc (per semester)
Above 3,000 cc	$1.00 per cc above 3,000 cc (per semester)

The values shown are the six-monthly rates. If you pay annually, you pay double the semester amount. Most owners opt for six-monthly renewal because it reduces the lump-sum payment, although the total over a year is the same regardless of whether you pay in one or two instalments.

Worked Examples

Let us calculate the road tax for three common engine sizes to illustrate how the tiered system works.

Example 1: 1,598 cc (Category A car, e.g. Toyota Corolla Altis)

First 600 cc: $200.00
601 to 1,000 cc (400 cc): 400 x $0.125 = $50.00
1,001 to 1,598 cc (598 cc): 598 x $0.375 = $224.25
Six-month road tax: $474.25
Annual road tax: $948.50

Example 2: 1,999 cc (Category B car, e.g. Honda Accord)

First 600 cc: $200.00
601 to 1,000 cc (400 cc): 400 x $0.125 = $50.00
1,001 to 1,600 cc (600 cc): 600 x $0.375 = $225.00
1,601 to 1,999 cc (399 cc): 399 x $0.75 = $299.25
Six-month road tax: $774.25
Annual road tax: $1,548.50

Example 3: 2,998 cc (Category B car, e.g. BMW 530i)

First 600 cc: $200.00
601 to 1,000 cc (400 cc): 400 x $0.125 = $50.00
1,001 to 1,600 cc (600 cc): 600 x $0.375 = $225.00
1,601 to 2,998 cc (1,398 cc): 1,398 x $0.75 = $1,048.50
Six-month road tax: $1,523.50
Annual road tax: $3,047.00

As these examples show, the jump from a 1,600 cc car to a 2,000 cc car nearly doubles the road tax, and a 3,000 cc engine incurs over three times the road tax of a typical Category A vehicle. This progressive structure is one reason why many buyers in Singapore deliberately choose engines that stay under the 1,600 cc threshold.

Road Tax for Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) have no internal combustion engine and therefore no engine capacity in cubic centimetres. For EVs, Singapore uses a power-based formula that converts the motor's maximum power output into an equivalent engine capacity for road tax purposes.

The conversion formula is: Power (kW) x 5.444 = Equivalent engine capacity (cc). Once the equivalent cc is determined, the standard tiered road tax table above is applied. For example, a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus with a motor output of approximately 211 kW would have an equivalent engine capacity of 211 x 5.444 = approximately 1,149 cc, placing it within the third tier of the road tax table.

The government has introduced various EV-related incentives over the years, including temporary road tax rebates for early adopters. Check the LTA website or our EV vs Petrol Calculator for the latest rebate information and a full cost comparison between electric and petrol vehicles.

Road Tax Surcharge for Older Vehicles

Vehicles that are older than 10 years incur a road tax surcharge, which increases the base road tax amount. This surcharge is designed to encourage the replacement of older, less fuel-efficient, and more polluting vehicles. The surcharge rates are:

Vehicle Age	Road Tax Surcharge
Up to 10 years	No surcharge
11 to 12 years	10% above base
13 to 14 years	20% above base
Above 14 years	50% above base

This surcharge is particularly relevant for buyers considering COE cars, which are by definition older than 10 years. A 15-year-old car with a 2,000 cc engine would pay 50% more in road tax than an identical newer car, adding several hundred dollars per year to the running costs.

Road Tax Rebates and Incentives

Singapore periodically offers road tax rebates to support specific policy goals. These have included:

• Off-Peak Car (OPC) scheme: Vehicles registered under the OPC scheme receive a road tax rebate (currently suspended for new registrations, but existing OPC vehicles continue to enjoy the benefit).
• EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI): Electric vehicles registered during qualifying periods receive ARF rebates. The EEAI was reduced from $40,000 to $30,000 effective January 2026, and some hybrid models lost rebate eligibility entirely. The cut triggered significant panic buying in late 2025 and early 2026.
• Green Vehicle Rebate: While primarily a registration rebate, some green vehicle incentives have included road tax components.

Rebate programmes change regularly, so always check the latest LTA announcements before making purchasing decisions based on expected rebates.

How to Check and Pay Your Road Tax

Road tax in Singapore is managed entirely online through the LTA's OneMotoring portal. Here is the process:

Checking Your Road Tax Status

1. Visit the OneMotoring website (onemotoring.lta.gov.sg).
2. Log in with your Singpass or enter your vehicle registration number.
3. Navigate to the road tax section to view the current validity period, next renewal date, and amount due.

Paying Road Tax Online

1. Log in to OneMotoring with your Singpass.
2. Select "Renew Road Tax" from the vehicle services menu.
3. Choose your renewal period: six months or twelve months.
4. Confirm the amount and pay using credit card, debit card, or internet banking.
5. Your road tax is renewed immediately upon successful payment. No physical disc is required since Singapore moved to digital road tax in 2017.

You can also set up GIRO for automatic road tax renewal, which ensures you never miss a payment. LTA sends reminder notices approximately four weeks before your road tax expires.

What If Your Vehicle Fails Inspection?

Vehicles older than three years must pass a periodic inspection at an authorised inspection centre before road tax can be renewed. If your vehicle fails the inspection, you must rectify the identified defects and pass a re-inspection before LTA will allow road tax renewal. Common failure points include worn tyres, faulty lights, excessive exhaust emissions, and structural defects.

Road Tax for Motorcycles

Motorcycles have a simpler road tax structure compared to cars. The annual road tax for a motorcycle depends on its engine capacity:

Engine Capacity	Annual Road Tax
Up to 200 cc	$64
201 cc to 400 cc	$86 to $172 (scaled)
Above 400 cc	$172 to $340+ (scaled)

Motorcycle road tax is substantially cheaper than car road tax, reflecting the smaller road footprint and lower infrastructure demands of two-wheeled vehicles.

Road Tax for Commercial Vehicles

Goods vehicles, buses, and other commercial vehicles have a different road tax structure based on their laden weight rather than engine capacity. Lighter commercial vehicles pay less, while heavier trucks and buses pay progressively more. Commercial vehicle operators should refer to the LTA schedule for exact rates, which are updated periodically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I deregister my car before the road tax expires?

Yes. When you deregister a vehicle, LTA will refund the unused portion of prepaid road tax on a pro-rated basis, calculated by the number of complete months remaining. The refund is included in the overall deregistration rebate settlement. Use our PARF Rebate Calculator to estimate your total rebates.

What happens if I drive with expired road tax?

Driving with expired road tax is an offence under the Road Traffic Act. You may be fined up to $2,000 for a first offence, and the vehicle may be seized by the authorities. Additionally, your motor insurance may be invalidated if you are involved in an accident while driving without valid road tax, leaving you personally liable for any damages.

Is road tax the same for hybrid vehicles?

Hybrid vehicles are taxed based on their internal combustion engine capacity, not the combined output of the engine and electric motor. This means a 1,500 cc hybrid pays the same base road tax as a 1,500 cc petrol car. However, hybrids may qualify for specific green vehicle rebates that reduce the effective road tax amount.

Why is Singapore road tax so much higher for larger engines?

The progressive road tax structure is a deliberate policy tool. Larger engines generally consume more fuel, produce more emissions, and are associated with larger vehicles that occupy more road space. By making road tax progressively more expensive for larger engines, the government discourages ownership of big-engined vehicles and nudges buyers toward smaller, more efficient options. This supports Singapore's broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and managing road congestion.

How does road tax compare as a fraction of total car ownership cost?

For a typical Category A car, road tax represents roughly 5% to 8% of the total annual cost of ownership, which includes depreciation, insurance, fuel, parking, and maintenance. While it is not the largest component, road tax is a predictable and unavoidable cost that should be factored into any ownership budget. Use our Total Cost of Ownership Calculator to see how road tax fits into the full cost picture.