Off-peak car restrictions and e-Day licences in Singapore
The restricted hours for Weekend, Off-Peak and Revised Off-Peak Cars, how to use an e-Day Licence, and the consequences of driving during restricted hours without one.
Primary source: https://onemotoring.lta.gov.sg/content/onemotoring/home/driving/OPC.html
Schemes and restrictions
Singapore has three off-peak car schemes: Weekend Car (WEC), Off-Peak Car (OPC), and Revised Off-Peak Car (ROPC). The main difference for drivers is the hours when each car cannot be used. Check the vehicle's scheme through the LTA dashboard using Singpass before relying on a schedule (LTA, Off-Peak Car Scheme).
LTA says new cars can currently be registered only as ROPCs, and existing WEC or OPC cars remain in their scheme unless converted to ROPC. A WEC or OPC converted to ROPC cannot be converted back. When a WEC, OPC or ROPC car renews its COE, it remains in the same scheme unless its owner chooses to convert it (LTA, Off-Peak Car Schemes (OPC, ROPC, WEC)).
| Day or occasion | WEC and OPC | ROPC |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays | Restricted 7am–7pm | Restricted 7am–7pm |
| Saturday, excluding public holidays | Restricted 7am–3pm | No restriction |
| Sunday or Singapore public holiday | No restriction | No restriction |
| Eve of New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, or Christmas Day | Restricted 7am–3pm | No restriction |
These are LTA's general hours. LTA also publishes a separate dated table for public-holiday eves each year. Some eves not in the five listed holidays follow the ordinary weekday or Saturday restriction instead. Check the current dated table before driving on a holiday eve (LTA, Off-Peak Car Scheme).
When registering a new car as an ROPC, the owner has 7 calendar days after registration to seal its number plates at an LTA-authorised inspection centre. The ROPC plate background is red with white lettering (LTA, Off-Peak Car Schemes (OPC, ROPC, WEC)).
Remaining 2026 holiday eves
LTA's 2026 table lists these remaining holiday eves and restrictions (LTA, Off-Peak Car Scheme):
| Eve | WEC and OPC | ROPC |
|---|---|---|
| Deepavali, Saturday 7 November 2026 | Restricted 7am–3pm | No restriction |
| Christmas Day, Thursday 24 December 2026 | Restricted 7am–3pm | No restriction |
| New Year's Day, Thursday 31 December 2026 | Restricted 7am–3pm | No restriction |
This dated schedule applies to 2026; check LTA's table for later years.
ROPC costs and conversion cautions
LTA lists different benefits by registration or conversion route. A new ROPC may receive up to $17,000 in rebates offset against its COE Quota Premium and Additional Registration Fee (ARF), plus up to $500 in annual road-tax savings, subject to a $70 minimum road-tax payment. Converting an existing normal car or registering an imported used car as an ROPC may qualify for an off-peak cash rebate of up to $1,100 for each six-month period. LTA's conditions exclude periods shorter than six months, cars over ten years old, and periods when the car is laid up. Conversion of an existing OPC or WEC has separate conditions: the $1,100-per-six-month rebate applies only if an OPC was previously a normal car. An OPC may separately qualify for a Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate depending on how long it was under the OPC scheme; WECs do not qualify for that PARF rebate. A converted OPC or WEC cannot be converted back. Confirm case-specific eligibility and amounts with LTA before converting (LTA, Off-Peak Car Schemes (OPC, ROPC, WEC).
Driving during restricted hours
To drive a WEC, OPC, or ROPC during its restricted hours, obtain an electronic Day Licence (e-Day Licence) for $20 and specify the usage date. It covers that specified day and may be bought up to two weeks in advance. Purchase is available online (except midnight to 1am), at AXS m-Stations, e-Stations or kiosks, or through the LTA dashboard. The usage date may be cancelled or changed before 7am on the specified date (LTA, Off-Peak Car Scheme).
Undated e-Day Licences are no longer sold. A previously purchased undated licence can still be used, but its usage date must be specified by 11:59pm on the day after the car was driven; otherwise, LTA considers it invalid (LTA, Off-Peak Car Scheme).
Driving during restricted hours without an e-Day Licence is an offence. LTA says a driver who has done so may buy the licence by 11:59pm the next day; if that deadline is missed, the driver has three more days to declare the use to LTA and pay a $30 fee. This post-drive process does not make the original restricted-hours use lawful. LTA states that the fine may be up to $5,000 for a first offence and up to $10,000 for a subsequent offence (LTA, Off-Peak Car Scheme).
Coverage debt
The dated holiday-eve restriction table is year-specific and can change. Check LTA's live table for the relevant year. Exact rebate eligibility and amounts depend on vehicle history and age; confirm case-specific figures with LTA's Off-Peak Car Schemes (OPC, ROPC, WEC) page.
LTA's live yearly table still covers 2026; it does not yet list the 2027 holiday-eve dates and hours. Check the LTA page again after its next dated schedule is published.