What is COE?
A complete guide to Singapore's Certificate of Entitlement — the system that makes car ownership in the city-state uniquely expensive.
What is the Certificate of Entitlement?
A Certificate of Entitlement is used to register and use a vehicle under Singapore’s Vehicle Quota System. A new COE generally has a ten-year term. The system began in 1990; LTA administers it today. Renewal, transfer and vehicle lifespan rules depend on the category.
Most new vehicle registrations require a COE. A dealer can arrange bidding, and eligible owners can renew an existing COE using the applicable PQP. Premiums vary by category and exercise.
The latest stored Category A premium is S$131,890 for 23 Sep 2026, round 2. Check the exercise date before using it in a budget.
Key Fact
A dealer quotation can include COE, taxes and other charges. Ask for an itemised quote and confirm whether its COE is guaranteed, capped or subject to a top-up.
The 5 COE Categories
COEs are divided into five categories, each with a separate quota and bidding exercise:
Cars up to 1600cc and 97kW; fully electric cars up to 110kW
Cars above 1600cc or 97kW; fully electric cars above 110kW
Goods Vehicles & Buses
Motorcycles
Open Category (excluding motorcycles)
Rules reviewed September 2026 against LTA bidding guidance and renewal terms.
How COE Bidding Works
LTA normally conducts two exercises a month. Opening is at noon and closing at 4pm Singapore time on the published dates; holidays and special arrangements can change the schedule.
- Check the quota — LTA announces the number of COEs available for each category quarterly.
- Place your bid — Submit a reserve price through an authorised participating bank or arrange dealer bidding. A submitted reserve may be raised, but not lowered or withdrawn.
- Bidding closes — The Current COE Price (CCP) updates during open bidding. Check the published closing time.
- Results announced — The final CCP becomes the QP: one dollar above the highest unsuccessful reserve price. Successful bidders pay the QP.
Understanding QP, PQP & TCOE
Quota Premium (QP) — The final price of a COE in a particular bidding exercise. This is what successful bidders pay.
Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP) — The renewal premium published for each month, based on premiums in the preceding three bidding months; months without bidding are skipped. Use the applicable category and renewal month.
Temporary Certificate of Entitlement (TCOE) — The temporary certificate issued to a successful bidder before vehicle registration. Its validity and transfer conditions depend on category; it is not a total ownership cost.
COE Renewal
Before COE expiry, compare the options and the applicable deadlines:
- Renew for 5 or 10 years at the applicable PQP, subject to category and vehicle lifespan rules. A five-year car renewal cannot be renewed again
- Deregister (scrap) and check any eligible rebates before expiry; unused COE value is zero once its term ends
- Export the vehicle to another country
Deregistration & Scrappage
Deregistration rebates depend on eligibility, vehicle age and remaining COE validity:
- PARF Rebate — Age bands and caps depend on the vehicle cohort. Use the PARF calculator with the correct cohort and actual ARF paid; renewing COE gives up PARF eligibility.
- COE Rebate — Based on the applicable premium paid and unused validity, including months and days. A renewed five-year COE has a different term from a new ten-year COE.
History of COE Prices
Compare actual category records in the results archive. The trends chart calculates its date coverage from stored data. Earlier estimated exercise dates are labelled accordingly.
Expiring vehicles, renewals and policy adjustments influence quota, while bids determine each exercise premium. A ten-year certificate term does not establish a predictable ten-year price cycle.
EVs & Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles in Singapore still require a COE. However, the government has introduced incentives:
- VES (Vehicular Emissions Scheme) — Rebates or surcharges depend on the registered vehicle, emissions band and registration date. Check the current LTA emissions scheme rather than assuming all EVs receive the same amount.
- Electric road tax — Fully electric car road tax uses motor power bands and an additional flat component. It is not necessarily lower than petrol-car road tax.
- ARF considerations — Fully electric cars use a motor-power threshold for COE category, not a power-to-weight ratio. The category definitions above come from the shared category catalog.
Quick FAQ
How often does COE bidding happen?
Normally twice a month. Consult the published calendar for holiday changes and exceptional cancellations.
Can foreigners bid for COE?
Foreigners can own a vehicle subject to registration and identification requirements. Driving entitlement and COE bidding eligibility are separate; check the official instructions for your circumstances.
What happens if my COE expires?
Do not use the vehicle on public roads after COE expiry. Check LTA renewal or deregistration requirements and deadlines for the vehicle; deregistration and proof of disposal are separate steps.