You can retain the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) of your existing vehicle and use it to register a new vehicle, or to replace the VRN of another vehicle you own.
At a glance
Understanding Retention of VRN |
You can retain your current VRN for a fee and use it on a new or existing vehicle that you own.
You cannot transfer a retained VRN to a vehicle you do not own.
You can only use your retained VRN on another vehicle of the same type, e.g. car to car; light goods vehicle to light goods vehicle.
For cars with sealed number plates, you must pass an inspection of the number plate seals before you can apply to retain your VRN.
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Retaining and using a VRN |
There are 2 ways to retain the VRN of your existing vehicle:
Once you have retained your VRN, there are 2 ways you can use it:
The fee you pay to retain a VRN depends on whether you use it on a new or existing vehicle.
After you have retained your VRN, you have up to 12 months to use it. You can pay a fee to further extend its validity. |
Related digital services |
Retain Registered Vehicle Number Retain Deregistered Vehicle Number Manage Registered Vehicle Numbers |
Understanding Retention of VRN
You can apply to retain the vehicle registration number (VRN) of your vehicle before it is transferred or deregistered, or after you have deregistered it. You can use the retained VRN on a new vehicle that you intend to register or an existing vehicle that you currently own.
You can only use the retained VRN on another vehicle that is of the same type. The types of vehicles are:
- Cars
- Taxis
- Motorcycles
- Buses (P-plate)
- Light Goods Vehicles (G-plate)
- Heavy Goods Vehicles (Y-plate)
- Very Heavy Goods Vehicles (X-plate)
- Engineering plants (W-plate)
You cannot transfer a retained VRN to a vehicle you do not own.
After you have successfully retained your VRN, LTA will send you a notification letter.
Once you have retained your VRN, the transaction cannot be cancelled and any fee paid is non-refundable.
When the VRN of your vehicle is changed, remember to inform your insurance company to update your vehicle insurance certificate.
You cannot retain the VRN of a vehicle that is under temporary transfer status.
Retain VRN for vehicles under the Weekend/ Off-Peak/ Revised Off-Peak/ Revised Vintage/ Vintage (Restricted)/ Classic Vehicle Schemes
If your vehicle is under any of these schemes, you must first send your vehicle to an LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre (AIC) to check that the number plate seals are intact before you can apply to retain your VRN.
After passing the inspection, you have 7 calendar days to apply to retain your VRN.
When to retain your VRN
You can retain the VRN of your vehicle before it is transferred or deregistered, or after you have deregistered it. You have 1 month to retain the VRN after you deregister a vehicle.
Retaining your VRN before transferring or deregistering your vehicle
Before you retain your VRN, you must first settle any outstanding fees, taxes and charges. There are 2 ways you can retain your VRN before transferring or deregistering your vehicle.
1. Online via Digital Services
2. Through Motor Dealers who are Electronic Service Agents (ESAs) - Applicable only when coupled with registration of new vehicles
Fees involved when retaining and using your retained VRN
For the fees, there are two separate parts that you need to take note of.
Part 1: To retain your VRN, you will need to pay a fee.
Part 2: To use your retained VRN on another vehicle, you may have to pay a top-up fee or you may receive a partial refund.
If you are retaining a VRN from a vehicle before transfer or deregistration:
Upfront fee to retain your VRN from a vehicle before transfer or deregistration Part 1: $1,300 (inclusive of GST) |
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If this VRN is used to register a new vehicle under your name, we will refund you $1,200 (inclusive of GST). You will receive the refund after you have registered your new vehicle with this VRN
Part 2: -$1,200 (inclusive of GST) (Refund)
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If this VRN is used on an existing vehicle belonging to you, there is no further charge, and there is no refund
Part 2: $0 |
Total cost: $1,300 - $1,200 = $100 (inclusive of GST) (*) |
Total cost: $1,300 + $0 = $1,300 (inclusive of GST) |
You need to inform your motor dealer to use your retained VRN on your new vehicle, before it is registered and automatically assigned a number. Your motor dealer will then help you register your new vehicle with the retained VRN.
Please note that once a vehicle is assigned a vehicle number, it will not be considered a new vehicle. |
You can use your retained VRN to replace the VRN of your existing vehicle online. |
* if you are retaining your VRN through a motor dealer authorised as an Electronic Service Agent when they are submitting a Vehicle Registration application on your behalf, and the retained VRN is used to register your new vehicle, you will only need to pay an upfront fee of $100 (inclusive of GST). In other words, you do not have to pay the $1,300 (inclusive of GST) upfront fee and wait for the $1,200 (inclusive of GST) refund when you register your new vehicle with the VRN.
If you are retaining a VRN from a deregistered vehicle:
Upfront fee to retain your VRN from a deregistered vehicle Part 1: $100 (inclusive of GST) |
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If this VRN is used on a new vehicle, there is no further charge
Part 2: $0
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If this VRN is used on an existing vehicle belonging to you, you have to pay an additional $1,200 (inclusive of GST)
Part 2: $1,200 (inclusive of GST) |
Total cost: $100 + $0 = $100 (inclusive of GST) |
Total cost: $100 + $1,200 = $1,300 (inclusive of GST) |
You need to inform your motor dealer to use your retained VRN on your new vehicle, before it is registered and automatically assigned a number. Your motor dealer will then help you register your new vehicle with the retained VRN.
Please note that once a vehicle is assigned a vehicle number, it will not be considered a new vehicle. |
You can use your retained VRN to replace the VRN of your existing vehicle online. |
After you have retained your VRN, your previous vehicle will need to have a new VRN. There are 3 ways to go about this:
1) You can choose to have a system-assigned VRN replace your previous vehicle's VRN;
2) You can choose to use an existing bid number that you own to replace your previous vehicle's VRN; or
3) You can choose to use an existing VRN that you have previously retained from another vehicle. For this case, please note that the fees for using a VRN on an existing vehicle (see "Part 2" in the tables above) will apply.
Validity of your VRN and extension of validity
Once your application to retain your VRN is approved, you have 12 months to use it before it expires.
You can apply online to extend your VRN’s validity before it expires. It can be extended for 6 months at a time, for a fee of $1,000 (inclusive of GST) plus an administrative fee of $42.51 (inclusive of GST). There is no refund of the extension fee, or pro-rating of the extension period or fee.
Extend Vehicle Number Validity
Change the number plates of your vehicle after retaining and using your VRN
After your application to use the retained VRN on your existing vehicle has been approved, you have 3 calendar days to change the number plates on your existing vehicle to match its new VRN. You can change the number plates on your vehicle at any vehicle workshop.
Additionally, after you have used the retained VRN on your existing vehicle, your previous vehicle will then need to have a replacement VRN.
- If your previous vehicle is deregistered, the replacement VRN will be system-assigned, and you do not have to take further action.
- If your previous vehicle is not deregistered, you can choose to have a system-assigned replacement VRN, or choose to use an existing VRN that you own (either bid number, or previously retained VRN).
· If you intend to deregister the vehicle within 3 calendar days, you need not change its vehicle number plates.
· Otherwise, you will need to change its vehicle number plates to display the replacement VRN. You need to do so within 3 calendar days from the date that your application to retain your VRN has been approved. The number plates can be changed at any vehicle workshop.
What to do when you use your retained VRN for vehicles under the Weekend/ Off-Peak/ Revised Off-Peak/ Revised Vintage/ Vintage (Restricted)/ Classic Vehicle Schemes
When you use your retained VRN on vehicles registered under the Weekend/ Off-Peak / Revised Off-Peak/ Revised Vintage/ Vintage (Restricted)/ Classic Vehicle Schemes, you have to seal the new vehicle number plates at an LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre within 3 calendar days after your application to retain your VRN is approved.
To avoid penalties, your vehicle must display its correct VRN, and its number plates must be sealed if its scheme requires it. Otherwise, you may face a fine of up to $2,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both.