Calculate the Tax, Then Clear the Renewal Gates
Road tax is a known ownership line, but the amount is not one flat rate. It depends on the vehicle’s engine capacity or motor power, propulsion type and age. The renewal also fails if the required insurance, inspection or fines clearance is missing.
Use the official amount for the real car
Worked formulae are useful for comparing vehicles. Before purchase or renewal, enter the vehicle registration number in OneMotoring’s road-tax enquiry. That result captures the actual vehicle record and applicable surcharges.
1) Petrol-car formula and examples
LTA publishes six-month formulae. The annual figures below double the calculated six-month amount.
| Engine capacity | Six-month formula |
|---|---|
| 600cc or below | S$200 × 0.782 |
| 601–1,000cc | [S$200 + S$0.125 × (cc − 600)] × 0.782 |
| 1,001–1,600cc | [S$250 + S$0.375 × (cc − 1,000)] × 0.782 |
| 1,601–3,000cc | [S$475 + S$0.75 × (cc − 1,600)] × 0.782 |
| Above 3,000cc | [S$1,525 + S$1 × (cc − 3,000)] × 0.782 |
Worked 1,600cc petrol car
Six months = [S$250 + S$0.375 × (1,600 − 1,000)] × 0.782 = S$371.45.
Annual road tax = S$371.45 × 2 = S$742.90.
Worked 2,000cc petrol car
Six months = [S$475 + S$0.75 × (2,000 − 1,600)] × 0.782 = S$606.05.
Annual road tax = S$606.05 × 2 = S$1,212.10.
2) EV, hybrid and diesel differences
- Electric car: the base formula uses the maximum power rating of the motor or combined motors. A six-month S$350 Additional Flat Component is then added.
- Petrol-electric car: calculate once from engine capacity and once from maximum electric power. The higher road-tax amount applies.
- Diesel or diesel-hybrid car: special tax may apply in addition to road tax, based on the applicable emission standard.
For an illustrative 110kW electric car, the six-month base is [S$250 + S$3.75 × (110 − 30)] × 0.782 = S$430.10. Add the S$350 component: S$780.10 for six months, or S$1,560.20 per year, before any vehicle-age surcharge.
3) Add the older-vehicle surcharge
| Vehicle age | Annual surcharge |
|---|---|
| More than 10 years | 10% of road tax |
| More than 11 years | 20% |
| More than 12 years | 30% |
| More than 13 years | 40% |
| More than 14 years | 50% |
A 1,600cc petrol car with S$742.90 base annual road tax would cost S$1,114.35 after a 50% surcharge. This is a road-tax comparison only; it does not decide whether COE renewal is economical.
4) Clear the renewal gates in order
- Insurance: cover the entire six- or 12-month road-tax period, including the required third-party liability.
- Inspection: complete the periodic inspection if LTA says it is due. The notice is generally issued about three months before expiry.
- Fines and warrants: clear outstanding items from LTA, HDB, URA and Traffic Police that may block renewal.
- Payment: meet the prerequisites at least one working day before renewing.
LTA allows renewal online, through AXS, GIRO or authorised collection centres. Most vehicles can renew for six or 12 months.
5) Late renewal is a preventable extra cost
For a 1,001–1,600cc car, LTA’s published late fees are S$20 within one month of expiry, S$70 between one and 2.5 months, S$90 after 2.5 months and S$240 after three months. The road tax itself remains payable, and keeping an unlicensed vehicle can lead to further enforcement.
Put the insurance, inspection and renewal date in one calendar. A payment reminder alone does not fix an expired policy or overdue inspection.
6) Place road tax correctly in the car budget
- Use the annual amount in the ownership-cost comparison.
- Use the actual six- or 12-month payment date in the cash-flow calendar.
- When buying used, check whether valid road tax comes with the vehicle.
- When the vehicle is transferred, remaining road tax follows it. When deregistered, unused road tax is refunded to the last registered owner.
FAQ
How often can road tax be renewed?
LTA allows most vehicle owners to renew road tax for six or 12 months, subject to the vehicle meeting all renewal prerequisites.
What must be completed before road-tax renewal?
The vehicle must have insurance for the full road-tax period, pass any inspection that is due and have no outstanding fines or warrants that block renewal.
Do cars over 10 years old pay more road tax?
Yes. LTA applies an age surcharge from 10% for a vehicle more than 10 years old up to 50% for a vehicle more than 14 years old.
Is electric-car road tax based on motor power?
Yes. LTA calculates the base amount from maximum motor power and adds an Additional Flat Component. Use the official vehicle-specific enquiry before paying.
Sources & references
Rules and formulae checked 21 September 2026.
Last updated: 21 Sep 2026 · Editorial Policy · Advertising Disclosure · Corrections