All vehicles in Singapore, including buses, must be registered before they can be driven on public roads. Before you register a bus, learn the requirements to operate different types of buses.
At a glance
Understanding Bus Registration |
Buses must be registered in Singapore before they can be driven on public roads. |
Registering a bus |
There are 5 types of buses, each used for different purposes.
You must apply for in-principle approval from the LTA before you register a bus. Only Excursion Buses do not need in-principle approval. Omnibuses can only be registered under public bus operators. There are 2 ways to register your bus:
If you register the bus personally, follow the steps required for the specific bus type: |
Find out more |
Find out more about bus registration and ownership on lta.gov.sg
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Understanding bus registration
All buses in Singapore must be registered with LTA before they can be driven on public roads.
There are 5 types of buses, including Omnibuses that are registered under the public bus operators. Before you register a bus, learn the requirements to operate different types of buses.
- A Private Bus is used to ferry employees or people related to the business of the bus owner.
- A Private Hire Bus is used to ferry students to and from schools or workers to and from their workplace. It can also be chartered out for other purpose, such as to ferry a group of passengers to an event.
- An Excursion Bus is mainly used to ferry tourists. It can also be used to ferry students and workers.
- A School Bus is used to ferry students to and from school. It can also be used to ferry workers to and from their workplace, if the bus has an Adult Workers’ Contract (AWC) permit.
- An Omnibus is a bus operated by public transport operators.
Private Buses, Private Hire Buses and Excursion Buses need to have a Category C or E COE.
Registering a bus
Only Excursion Buses do not need in-principle approval from the LTA before registration. For Private Buses, Private Hire Buses and School Buses, you need to apply to the LTA for in-principle approval before you can register or buy or convert a bus.
If you are registering a School Bus, you can only apply to take over the registration of an existing School Bus, as there are no new licences being issued for School Buses.
Once you have obtained in-principle approval, you can proceed to engage a dealer to register the bus for you. You can also choose to register a bus yourself.
Self-registering a bus
You can register a bus yourself. Follow these steps:
Register a Private Bus
Step 1: Apply for in-principle approval
Click here to access the digital service with your Singpass to submit your application for in-principle approval.
Refer to the user guide for Private Bus (PDF, 1MB) for the steps to submit the application to the LTA using the digital service.
For your online application, you will need the following information/ documents:
- Intended use of the bus
- The seating capacity, if you are registering a new bus
- Registration number of the bus, if it is a used bus to be transferred to you
- Estimated number of trips per week that the bus will be utilised
- Estimated number of passengers to be ferried
- Seller’s letter of agreement to sell the bus, for used bus to be transferred to you.
If you are applying to use an Excursion Bus / Private Hire Bus as a Private Bus, refer to the user guide for Use as Private Bus (PDF, 1MB) for the steps to submit the application to the LTA using the digital service.
Step 2: Apply for a Vehicle Approval Code (VAC) through VITAS
Before applying for a VAC, you must have the documents for importing and registering each bus type stated in this guide (PDF, 590kB).
Please make an appointment [Select Vehicle Approval > Apply for Vehicle Approval Code] to apply for a VAC at LTA Customer Service Centre, 10 Sin Ming Drive, via our Digital Services:
You need to pay an application fee of $269.64 for the VAC.
Once in-principle approval has been given, you will be notified to send the bus for inspection at any LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre (AIC). After your bus has passed the inspection, the VAC will be issued to you.
Step 3: Submit the prerequisite documents
Please make an appointment [Select Registration > Register Vehicle (Self-Import)] to submit the following documents to LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Form R01 (PDF, 256kB)
- Identification documents of the new vehicle owner:
- For companies:
- Printout of the business profile of the company from the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). This printout is valid up to 14 days from the date of issue.
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporeans and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners) of the authorised person from the company.
- Original authorisation letter, signed by at least a Manager or above, if the authorised person of the company is not listed in the ACRA printout.
- For organisations:
- A copy of certificate issued by the Registry of Societies or relevant regulating authority.
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporeans and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners) of the authorised person from the organisation.
- For companies:
^Physical NRIC or long-term pass card or Digital Identity Card (Digital IC) launched via the Singpass app. Images or videos of the identity card/pass/Digital IC will not be accepted.
- VAC approval notice
- A Temporary COE (TCOE)
- Proof of valid motor insurance cover
- Your Vehicle Registration Number, if you wish to bid for a customised number or retain the number from an existing vehicle
- Notice of COE rebate (if any)
- Approval letter from the relevant authorities, if the vehicle is to be registered under a special scheme (if any)
- Inward Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP)*
*Contact Singapore Customs for more information on customs clearance, valuation of imported vehicles and CCP.
Step 4: Pay registration fee and charges
You will need to pay the registration fee and other charges by NETS or SGQR PayNow when submitting the application at LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Registration fee of $350
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Quota Premium for a COE
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $27.82
You will receive a notification of your registration on the spot, if all your documents are in order.
Step 5: Affix your registration number plate
Affix the registration number plates on your bus within 3 days of registration. Use the number assigned to your bus, unless you are using a retained number or a number you bid for.
Step 6: Display your side markings
If your bus has 9 seating capacity (excluding driver), display this information on both sides of the bus within 7 days after registration:
- Name of registered vehicle owner
- Company or business registered address
- Company or business registration number
- Passenger capacity of the vehicle
Register a Private Hire Bus
Step 1: Apply for in-principle approval
Click here to access the digital service with your Singpass to submit your application for in-principle approval.
Refer to the user guide for Private Hire Bus (PDF, 1.4MB) for the steps to submit the application to the LTA using the digital service.
For your online application, you will need the following information/ documents:
- Intended use of the bus (to ferry workers from an organisation and/or students from a school)
- The seating capacity, if you are registering a new bus
- Estimated number of passengers to be ferried
- Agreement with organisation to ferry its employees, if applicable
- Passenger name list endorsed by the organisation for employees (Form B (PDF, 26kB)), if applicable
- Passenger name list endorsed by the school for students (Form A-1 and A-2 (PDF, 134kB)), if applicable
- The driver’s name and ID (i.e. NRIC or FIN) number
- Seller’s letter of agreement to sell the bus, for used bus to be transferred to you
Step 2: Apply for a Vehicle Approval Code (VAC) through VITAS
Before applying for a VAC, you must have the documents for importing and registering each bus type stated in this guide (PDF, 590kB).
Please make an appointment [Select Vehicle Approval > Apply for Vehicle Approval Code] to apply for a VAC at LTA Customer Service Centre, 10 Sin Ming Drive, via our Digital Services:
You need to pay an application fee of $269.64 for the VAC.
Once in-principle approval has been given, you will be notified to send the bus for inspection at any LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre (AIC). After your bus has passed the inspection, the VAC will be issued to you.
Step 3: Submit the prerequisite documents
Please make an appointment [Select Registration > Register Vehicle (Self-Import)] to submit the following documents to LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Form R01 (PDF, 256kB)
- Identification documents of the new vehicle owner:
- For individual owners:
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporean and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners).
- For companies:
- Printout of the business profile of the company from the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). This printout is valid up to 14 days from the date of issue.
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporeans and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners) of the authorised person from the company.
- Original authorisation letter, signed by at least a Manager or above, if the authorised person of the company is not listed in the ACRA printout.
- For organisations:
- A copy of certificate issued by the Registry of Societies or relevant regulating authority.
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporeans and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners) of the authorised person from the organisation.
- For individual owners:
^Physical NRIC or long-term pass card or Digital Identity Card (Digital IC) launched via the Singpass app. Images or videos of the identity card/pass/Digital IC will not be accepted.
- VAC approval notice
- A Temporary COE (TCOE)
- Proof of valid motor insurance cover
- Your Vehicle Registration Number, if you wish to bid for a customised number or retain the number from an existing vehicle
- Notice of COE rebate (if any)
- Inward Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP)*
*Contact Singapore Customs for more information on customs clearance, valuation of imported vehicles and CCP.
Step 4: Pay registration fees and charges
You will need to pay the registration fee and other charges by NETS or SGQR PayNow when submitting the applicaiton at LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Registration fee of $350
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Quota Premium for a COE
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $27.82
You will receive a notification of your registration on the spot, if all your documents are in order.
Step 5: Affix your registration number plate
Affix the registration number plates on your bus within 3 days of registration. Use the number assigned to your bus, unless you are using a retained number or a number you bid for.
Step 6: Display your side markings
If your bus has 9 seating capacity (excluding driver), display this information on both sides of the bus within 7 days after registration:
- Name of registered vehicle owner
- Company or business registered address
- Company or business registration number
- Passenger capacity of the vehicle
Register an Excursion Bus
You do not need in-principle approval to register or transfer an Excursion Bus, or to convert a bus to an Excursion Bus.
An individual cannot own an Excursion Bus, or convert a bus to an Excursion Bus. Only transport companies and tour operators can convert, buy or register an Excursion Bus. The business profile of the company from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) must list "Chartered Bus Services" or "Tourists or Travel Agency" as one of its principal activities.
Step 1: Apply for a Vehicle Approval Code (VAC) through VITAS
Before applying for a VAC, you must have the documents for importing and registering each bus type stated in this guide (PDF, 590kB).
Please make an appointment [Select Vehicle Approval > Apply for Vehicle Approval Code] to apply for a VAC at LTA Customer Service Centre, 10 Sin Ming Drive, via our Digital Services:
You need to pay an application fee of $269.64 for the VAC.
Once in-principle approval has been given, you will be notified to send the bus for inspection at any LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre (AIC). After your bus has passed the inspection, the VAC will be issued to you.
Step 2: Submit the prerequisite documents
Please make an appointment [Select Registration > Register Vehicle (Self-Import)] to submit the following documents to LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Form R01 (PDF, 256kB)
- Identification documents of the new vehicle owner:
- Printout of the business profile of the company from the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). This printout is valid up to 14 days from the date of issue.
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporeans and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners) of the authorised person from the company.
^Physical NRIC or long-term pass card or Digital Identity Card (Digital IC) launched via the Singpass app. Images or videos of the identity card/pass/Digital IC will not be accepted. - Original authorisation letter, signed by at least a Manager or above, if the authorised person of the company is not listed in the ACRA printout.
- VAC approval notice
- A Temporary COE (TCOE)
- Proof of valid motor insurance cover
- Your Vehicle Registration Number, if you wish to bid for a customised number or retain the number from an existing vehicle
- Notice of COE rebate (if any)
- Inward Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP)*
*Contact Singapore Customs for more information on customs clearance, valuation of imported vehicles and CCP.
Step 3: Pay registration fees and charges
You will need to pay the registration fee and other charges by NETS or SGQR PayNow when submitting the application at LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Registration fee of $350
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Quota Premium for a COE
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $27.82
You will receive a notification of your registration on the spot, if all your documents are in order.
Step 4: Affix your registration number plate
Affix the registration number plates on your bus within 3 days of registration. Use the number assigned to your bus, unless you are using a retained number or a number you bid for.
Step 5: Display your side markings
If your bus has 9 seating capacity (excluding driver), display this information on both sides of the bus within 7 days after registration:
- Name of registered vehicle owner
- Company or business registered address
- Company or business registration number
- Passenger capacity of the vehicle
Register a School Bus
Step 1: Apply for in-principle approval
Click here to access the digital service with your Singpass to submit your application for in-principle approval.
Refer to the user guide for School Bus (PDF, 1.6MB) for the steps to submit the application to the LTA using the digital service.
For your online application, you will need the following information/ documents:
- Passenger namelist endorsed by the school for students (Form A-1 and A-2 (PDF, 134kB))
- Agreement with organisation to ferry its employees and passenger name list endorsed by the organisation for employees (Form B (PDF, 26kB)), if you are also applying for an Adult Workers’ Contract permit
- The driver’s name and ID (i.e. NRIC or FIN) number
- Seller’s letter of agreement to sell the bus, for used bus to be transferred to you
Note: Owners of School Buses are required to submit information on the student transportation activities for the School Bus(es) under their ownership to the LTA by 31 Jan of each year.
Step 2: Apply for a Vehicle Approval Code (VAC) through VITAS
Before applying for a VAC, you must have the documents for importing and registering each bus type stated in this guide (PDF, 590kB).
Please make an appointment [Select Vehicle Approval > Apply for Vehicle Approval Code] to apply for a VAC at LTA Customer Service Centre, 10 Sin Ming Drive, via our Digital Services:
You need to pay an application fee of $269.64 for the VAC.
Once in-principle approval has been given, you will be notified to send the bus for inspection at any LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre (AIC). After your bus has passed the inspection, the VAC will be issued to you.
Step 3: Submit the prerequisite documents
Please make an appointment [Select Registration > Register Vehicle (Self-Import)] to submit the following documents to LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Form R01 (PDF, 256kB)
- Identification documents of the new vehicle owner:
- For individual owners:
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporean and PRs) or Employment/ Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners).
- For companies:
- Printout of the business profile of the company from the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). This printout is valid up to 14 days from the date of issue.
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporeans and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners) of the authorised person from the company.
- Original authorisation letter, signed by at least a Manager or above, if the authorised person of the company is not listed in the ACRA printout.
- For organisations:
- A copy of certificate issued by the Registry of Societies or relevant regulating authority.
- Original^ NRIC (for Singaporeans and PRs) or Employment/Immigration pass card issued by MOM/ICA (for foreigners) of the authorised person from the organisation.
- For individual owners:
^Physical NRIC or long-term pass card or Digital Identity Card (Digital IC) launched via the Singpass app. Images or videos of the identity card/pass/Digital IC will not be accepted.
- VAC approval notice
- Proof of valid motor insurance cover
- Your Vehicle Registration Number, if you wish to bid for a customised number or retain the number from an existing vehicle
- Notice of COE rebate (if any)
- Inward Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP)*
*Contact Singapore Customs for more information on customs clearance, valuation of imported vehicles and CCP.
Step 4: Pay registration fees and charges
You will need to pay the registration fee and other charges by NETS or SGQR PayNow when submitting the application at LTA Customer Service Centre:
- Registration fee of $350
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $27.82
You will receive a notification of your registration on the spot, if all your documents are in order.
Step 5: Affix your registration number plate
Affix the registration number plates on your bus within 3 days of registration. Use the number assigned to your bus, unless you are using a retained number or a number you bid for.
Step 6: Display your side markings
If your bus has 9 seating capacity (excluding driver), display this information on both sides of the bus within 7 days after registration:
- Name of registered vehicle owner
- Company or business registered address
- Company or business registration number
- Passenger capacity of the vehicle