Roadworthiness and Safety Standards of Foreign-registered Vehicles Entering Singapore

Ms Mary Liew asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the same roadworthiness and safety standards imposed on Singapore cars are applied to foreign-registered vehicles entering Singapore; and (b) what are the measures to prohibit the entry of foreign vehicles into Singapore that do not meet these permitted roadworthiness and safety standards.

Mr Lui Tuck Yew: The cross-border movement of vehicles is governed by the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic 1949. Singapore and some of our neighbouring countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, are signatories to the Convention. Vehicles from these countries that meet the minimum standards on vehicle construction and functionality prescribed under the Convention are deemed to be safe and allowed to enter Singapore. Most ASEAN member countries have also formally agreed that goods and public service vehicles should be subject to periodic inspections, and that inspection regimes would be mutually recognised. For example, Singapore recognises the vehicle requirement and inspection regimes of Malaysia and Thailand, and vice versa, and enforcement is against the standards set by the country of registration.

Enforcement is usually carried out in the vicinity of the immigration checkpoints by the Land Transport Authority. Vehicles are inspected and fined or required to turn back if they do not meet the required standards.