Proportion of Categories A and B COEs used to register vehicles owned by car leasing companies and by private hire drivers

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question

Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Transport

a.           what proportion of Category A and Category B Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) have been used to register vehicles owned by (i) car leasing companies in 2024 and 2025 and (ii) individuals who lease their vehicles for use as private hire vehicles in each of the last five years; and

b.           whether the Ministry has assessed the impact of such vehicles on COE prices.

Reply by Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow:

1.           In 2024 and 2025, an average of about 10% of Category A and B registrations were for cars owned by car leasing companies, and about 9% were for private hire cars owned by individuals.

2.           Cars registered by individuals as private cars account for more than three-quarters of registrations. Even if we removed all the bids for car leasing companies and private hire cars, the clearing price would not be much lower, as the vast majority of successful bids today are already typically within 5% of the eventual clearing price.