SG Singapore Driver
Knowledge base Vehicle ownership 5 min read

Motor-trade general licences and trade plates in Singapore

Who may apply for a motor-trade general licence, the limits on how it may be used, and the plate-display and driver rules.

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Primary source: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/RTA1961?ProvIds=pr28-&ValidDate=20261021

Who can apply

A vehicle manufacturer, repairer or dealer may apply to the Registrar for a general licence covering the vehicles kept or used in that business, instead of taking out a separate vehicle licence for each vehicle. The Registrar may issue it if satisfied that the applicant is bona fide and has paid the prescribed levy; the applicant must also provide the required evidence of insurance or the applicable statutory exception. The licence is not transferable, and the Registrar may suspend or revoke it for fraud, a breach of the Act or Rules, or breach of a licence condition (Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 28).

The application must follow the Registrar's required form or manner, and the Registrar may request information or documents. Unless the Registrar permits otherwise, the holder must apply for a new licence before the current one expires (Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules, r. 58).

Limits on use

A general licence may cover more than one vehicle over time, but it authorises use of no more than one vehicle at a time, except for a motor vehicle drawing a trailer for prescribed purposes. Using more vehicles at once than the licence permits is an offence punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 (Road Traffic Act 1961, ss. 28(3) and 29(1)).

The vehicle must be in the holder's possession in the course of the holder's business as a manufacturer, repairer or dealer. The licence cannot be used for carrying passengers for hire or reward, carrying goods in the course of trade, or delivering or removing goods. Other use must be a purpose authorised by the Rules and connected with the holder's vehicle business. A general licence cannot be used on a vehicle whose registration has been cancelled (Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules, rr. 59(4) and 62).

The licence and plates are for the holder's use. Another person may use the vehicle if the holder, or a bona fide employee acting under the holder's authority, is present and in charge. The Rules also permit certain one-person vehicles to be tested or trialled by a prospective purchaser, and allow other specific movements by an authorised person when the Registrar has approved them (Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules, r. 61).

Plates and foreign vehicles

On receipt of a $100 deposit, the Registrar may provide one set of general licence plates with each licence. The plates must be fitted at the front and rear, carried whenever the licence is used, and not altered. The unaltered general licence must be fixed visibly to the front plate. The plates remain the Registrar's property and must be returned immediately when the licence is cancelled, suspended or expires, unless the Registrar permits otherwise. When a Singapore-registered vehicle properly displays the general licence and plates, it does not need to carry another vehicle identification mark or licence for that use (Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules, rr. 59–60 and 62(5)).

If the general licence is to be used on a foreign-registered vehicle, the holder must apply to the Registrar for approval each time before using it on that vehicle. Rule 62(6) also restricts the permitted purposes for foreign vehicles (Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules, rr. 60A and 62(6)).

Coverage debt

  • Rule 62(6) lists the permitted purposes for a foreign vehicle using a general licence. This article records the need for case-by-case approval but does not reproduce the full purpose list; check the current rule and any Registrar-imposed conditions for the specific movement.
  • The Registrar sets the prescribed levy and may impose licence-specific conditions; this article does not reproduce a current levy amount or application checklist (Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 28; Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules, r. 58).

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