For information only. This guide is an editorial orientation resource. It does not constitute legal, tax, or administrative advice, and does not recommend or encourage any specific course of action. Regulations, procedures and entitlements change; always verify current requirements with your mission, the Land Transport Authority, and qualified advisers before taking any decision.
Overview
Singapore has one of the most controlled and expensive vehicle markets in the world by deliberate policy. The country limits its vehicle population through the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system, and imposes an Additional Registration Fee (ARF) that can exceed the vehicle’s market value. Diplomatic staff are exempt from some of these costs, but not all of them. Understanding the full cost picture before importing or purchasing a vehicle in Singapore is essential.
Do you need a car?
No, for most postings based in central Singapore or along the main MRT corridors. Singapore’s public transport network is one of the most comprehensive in Asia, and the island is small enough that MRT plus taxi or ride-hailing (Grab) covers virtually all residential and working locations used by diplomatic families.
The case for a car strengthens for families living in more peripheral areas (parts of the east coast, north Singapore), for those whose children attend Singapore American School in Woodlands, or for staff requiring regular travel to Johor Bahru across the Causeway. Even in these cases, the total cost of car ownership in Singapore is high, and the public transport alternatives are often practical.
The COE system
The Certificate of Entitlement (COE) is Singapore’s mechanism for controlling the total vehicle population on its roads. Before any vehicle can be registered in Singapore, a COE must be obtained through a competitive open bidding exercise held twice monthly by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). COEs are issued in five categories based on vehicle type and engine size. A COE gives the holder the right to own and use a vehicle for 10 years; at the end of that period it must be renewed or the vehicle deregistered.
COE premiums fluctuate with supply and demand and can be extremely high:
- Category A (cars up to 1600cc and 97kW): approximately SGD 102,000-122,000 (2025-26 range)
- Category B (cars above 1600cc or 97kW): approximately SGD 115,000-134,000 (2025-26 range)
These figures are in addition to the vehicle’s purchase price and other fees. When demand is high, the COE premium can exceed the value of the car itself.
Diplomatic exemption from COE: Under the Road Traffic (Diplomatic and Consular Privileges) (Exemption) Order 2006, accredited diplomatic and consular officers are exempt from certain requirements of the Road Traffic Act, including those relating to COE. This exemption significantly reduces the cost of vehicle ownership for eligible diplomatic staff compared to private residents. Confirm the current scope of the COE exemption and eligibility criteria with your mission’s administrative office and the LTA, as specific conditions apply.
Other vehicle costs and exemptions
Additional Registration Fee (ARF): Normally calculated at 100-220% of the vehicle’s Open Market Value (OMV), the ARF is a significant cost for private vehicle owners. Diplomatic vehicles are generally exempt from ARF under the Exemption Order.
A note on terminology: Singapore does not impose a stamp duty on vehicles, unlike some other jurisdictions. The equivalent cost burden in Singapore comes from the COE and the ARF described above, not from a stamp duty. If you have read about vehicle stamp duty elsewhere, it does not apply here.
Road tax: Diplomatic vehicles are generally exempt from annual road tax.
Goods and Services Tax (GST): The 9% GST applicable on vehicle purchases may also be subject to exemption for diplomatic staff through the MFA customs relief process. Confirm with your mission.
From 1 January 2025: New registrations of diesel and diesel-natural gas cars are no longer permitted in Singapore. Only diesel-electric and diesel-electric plug-in hybrid cars can be registered. If importing a vehicle from a previous posting, verify its fuel type complies with this requirement before shipping.
Plate format
Diplomatically registered vehicles in Singapore carry standard Singapore format plates with a specific series. The format is:
S [number] CD
For example: S24CD, S100CD. The “S” prefix is the standard private car prefix; “CD” (Corps Diplomatique) is the suffix that identifies the vehicle as diplomatically registered. Plates use the standard Singapore format: black characters on a white background (front) and black on yellow (rear).
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
Singapore operates an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system on major expressways and in the central business district during peak hours. ERP charges are levied electronically via an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) installed in the vehicle.
Diplomatic vehicles are not exempt from ERP. Singapore’s position is that ERP is a user charge for road space, not a tax, and therefore does not fall within the scope of diplomatic tax exemptions. This is consistent with how Singapore treats it: a fee for a specific service, not a fiscal imposition. All vehicles using ERP-charged roads pay the applicable rate, regardless of their registration status.
Factor ERP costs into your budget if you will regularly use expressways or drive in the central business district during peak hours.
The registration procedure
All vehicle registration matters pass through the LTA. Your mission’s administrative office coordinates with the MFA to obtain the relevant exemption documentation before submitting the registration application to the LTA Customer Service Centre at 10 Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575701.
The LTA’s OneMotoring portal provides information on registration procedures, vehicle importation guidelines, and the current schedule of COE bidding exercises.
End of posting
When your diplomatic status ends, the vehicle must be deregistered or re-registered in a non-diplomatic series. If you wish to sell the vehicle to a non-diplomat, certain charges that were waived under the diplomatic exemption may become payable. Plan vehicle disposition at least two to three months before your departure date. Your mission’s administrative office should be the first point of contact.
Official sources
- Road Traffic (Diplomatic and Consular Privileges) (Exemption) Order 2006 (Singapore Statutes Online)
- LTA: Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
- LTA: Standard vehicle registration
- LTA: Importation guidelines for cars (PDF)
- Diplomatic and Consular Relations Act 2005 (Singapore Statutes Online)
Last reviewed 6 July 2026.