Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Requiring Local Vehicles to be Serviced at Authorised Workshops and Foreign Vehicles to Submit Roadworthiness Proof Given Recurring Fire Incidents

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider requiring (i) local vehicle owners to service their vehicles at selected authorised workshops in Singapore and (ii) foreign vehicles to submit proof of vehicle roadworthiness from selected authorised foreign workshops as part of their periodic vehicle inspection regime, in view of the recurring incidents of vehicle fires and other problems related to roadworthiness.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

1.     To ensure that vehicles remain roadworthy and are safe for use on our roads, all Singapore-registered vehicles are required to be inspected regularly at Authorised Inspection Centres (AICs). Vehicles that do not pass these inspections cannot be used on the roads.

2.     For foreign vehicles , the cross-border movement of vehicles is governed by the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic 1949, which Singapore and many of our neighbouring countries, including Malaysia and Thailand, are signatories to. Vehicles from signatory countries that meet the standards on vehicle construction and functionality stipulated in the Convention are allowed to enter Singapore.

3.     The owner of a vehicle is responsible for ensuring that it is roadworthy. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducts spot checks on local and foreign vehicles travelling on the roads. Vehicles that do not meet roadworthiness standards are impounded, and the owners penalised under the Road Traffic Act.