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 seek prior approval from LTA before you register a bus. Only Excursion Buses do not need prior approval. 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. 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 children to and from schools or workers to and from their workplace. It can also be chartered out under a contract to a single party at any one time.
- An Excursion Bus is mainly used to ferry tourists. It can also be used to ferry school children and workers.
- A School Bus is used to ferry school children and school staff 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 prior approval before registration. For all other buses, you need to apply to LTA for prior approval before you can register or transfer ownership.
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 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 prior approval
Submit these documents to obtain prior approval from LTA via email to BLS@lta.gov.sg:
- Application letter stating the following:
- Intended use of the bus
- The seating capacity, if you are registering a new bus
- The number of private buses you currently own
- Registration number of the bus, if the bus is transferred to you
- Latest CPF Form 90
- Seller’s letter of agreement to sell the bus
- 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 printing; or
- A copy of certificate issued by the Registry of Societies or relevant regulating authority
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.
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 $256.80 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
- 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:
- 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
At LTA Customer Service Centre, you will need to pay the registration fee and other charges in cash, cashier's order or NETS:
- Registration fee of $220
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Quota Premium for a COE
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $26.75
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 carries 9 passengers or fewer (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 prior approval
Submit these documents to obtain prior approval from LTA via email to BLS@lta.gov.sg:
- Application form
- Agreement with organisation or school to ferry its employees or school children
- 2 copies of passenger name list endorsed by the organisation for employees (Form B), or by the school principal for school children (Form A-1 and A-2)
- A copy of the driver’s NRIC, vocational licence and driving licence
- Seller’s letter of agreement to sell the bus
- Identification documents of the new vehicle owner:
- For individual owners:
- A copy of the owner’s NRIC (for Singaporean and PRs)
- For companies/organisations:
- 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; or
- A copy of certificate issued by the Registry of Societies or relevant regulating authority
- For individual owners:
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.
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 $256.80 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
- 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:
- 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
At LTA Customer Service Centre, you will need to pay the registration fee and other charges in cash, cashier's order or NETS:
- Registration fee of $220
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Quota Premium for a COE
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $26.75
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 carries 9 passengers or fewer (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 prior approval to register or transfer 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 and register an Excursion Bus. The business profile of the company from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) must list "Chartered Bus Services", "Tourists or Travel Agency" or "Business relating to passenger transport" 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.
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 $256.80 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
- 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
- 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
At LTA Customer Service Centre, you will need to pay the registration fee and other charges in cash, cashier's order or NETS:
- Registration fee of $220
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Quota Premium for a COE
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $26.75
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 carries 9 passengers or less (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 prior approval
Submit these documents to obtain prior approval from LTA via email to BLS@lta.gov.sg:
- Application form
- Agreement with organisation or school to ferry its employees or school children
- 2 copies of passenger name list endorsed by the organisation for employees (Form B), or by the school principal for school children (Form A-1 and A-2)
- For buses ferrying school children, the bus owner needs to submit an updated name list every year
- A copy of the driver’s NRIC, vocational licence and driving licence
- Seller’s letter of agreement to sell the bus
- Identification documents of the vehicle owners:
- For individual owners:
- A copy of the owner’s NRIC (for Singaporean and PRs)
- For companies / organisations:
- 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; or
- A copy of certificate issued by the Registry of Societies or relevant regulating authority
- For individual owners:
Note: Owners of School Buses need to submit an updated Students' Name List (Form A-1 and A2) on a yearly basis.
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.
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 $256.80 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
- 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 individual owners:
- 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
- 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
At LTA Customer Service Centre, you will need to pay the registration fee and other charges in cash, cashier's order or NETS:
- Registration fee of $220
- Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
- Road tax
- Processing fee of $26.75
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 carries 9 passengers or fewer (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 Omnibus
Only public bus service operators can register omnibuses.