Singapore tightens oversight of deregistered vehicles to combat illegal road use

Singapore's transport regulator is moving to close loopholes that allow deregistered vehicles to be illegally operated on public roads, as authorities grapple with a growing problem of unregistered cars circumventing safety and emissions standards.

The Land Transport Authority's proposed framework would redistribute responsibility for deregistered vehicles away from individual owners and towards a network of authorised exporters, thereby creating a more traceable and accountable chain for vehicles removed from active use.

Under the current system, vehicle owners bear primary responsibility for ensuring deregistered cars do not return to roads. However, authorities have identified gaps in enforcement that enable some vehicles to be reactivated or operated illegally without proper regulatory oversight.

The regulatory shift aims to strengthen controls at the point where vehicles exit the formal transport system. By designating authorised exporters as key custodians in the deregistration process, the LTA intends to establish clearer documentation trails and reduce opportunities for vehicles to slip back into circulation without meeting mandatory safety and environmental requirements.

The proposal comes as Singapore continues efforts to maintain strict road safety and vehicle emission standards, critical factors in the densely populated island-state's transport policy.