Statute Details
- Title: Road Traffic (Light Goods Vehicles and Small Buses — Exemption) Order 2025
- Act Code: RTA1961-S793-2025
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Road Traffic Act 1961 (powers under section 142)
- Enacting Minister/Authority: Minister for Home Affairs (made by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs)
- SL Number: S 793/2025
- Date Made: 4 December 2025
- Commencement: 15 December 2025
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Provisions:
- Section 1: Citation and commencement
- Section 2: Definitions (light goods vehicle, small bus, specified vehicle)
- Section 3: Exemption from specified requirements in the Road Traffic Act
- Schedule: Identifies the “specified vehicles” covered by the exemption
What Is This Legislation About?
The Road Traffic (Light Goods Vehicles and Small Buses — Exemption) Order 2025 is a targeted exemption instrument made under the Road Traffic Act 1961. In plain terms, it creates a limited carve-out from a general licensing rule that would otherwise restrict who may drive certain vehicles on Singapore roads.
The Order focuses on two categories of vehicles: light goods vehicles and small buses. It then defines a narrower set of vehicles—called “specified vehicles”—that are listed in the Schedule. For those specified vehicles, the Order allows certain drivers to operate them without the usual requirement that would otherwise apply under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Practically, the exemption is tied to the driver’s licence class. The Order provides that the exemption applies where the driver holds a valid Class 3 or Class 3A driving licence (as defined under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules). It also extends the exemption to the employer or person who permits the exempt driver to drive the specified vehicle.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Commencement and citation (Section 1)
Section 1 confirms the Order’s name and provides that it comes into operation on 15 December 2025. For practitioners, this is important for determining whether the exemption applies to driving events, employment arrangements, or enforcement actions occurring on or after that date.
2. Definitions (Section 2)
Section 2 sets the conceptual boundaries of the exemption.
- “Light goods vehicle” is defined by reference to rule 2(1) of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules (R 5). This cross-reference means the meaning is not re-written in the Order; instead, it adopts the definition already established in the vehicle registration/licensing rules.
- “Small bus” is defined as a bus with a maximum laden weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. This weight threshold is the key objective criterion.
- “Specified vehicle” means any of the light goods vehicles or small buses described in the Schedule. The Schedule is therefore the decisive document for identifying the exact vehicles covered.
3. The exemption from section 35(1) (Section 3(1))
The core legal effect is in Section 3(1). It states that section 35(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 does not apply to a person who drives a specified vehicle on a road if the person holds a valid Class 3 or 3A driving licence granted or renewed under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules (R 27).
Although the extract does not reproduce the text of section 35(1), the structure of the exemption indicates that section 35(1) contains a general rule about the class of licence required to drive certain vehicles. The Order effectively removes the application of that general rule for the specified vehicles, but only when the driver’s licence class and validity conditions are met.
Key practical implications of Section 3(1):
- Licence class matters: the driver must hold Class 3 or Class 3A. A different class (even if related) would not fall within the exemption.
- Validity matters: the licence must be “valid” and must have been granted or renewed under the relevant driving licence rules. This suggests that expired, suspended, or otherwise invalid licences would not qualify.
- Vehicle coverage matters: the vehicle must be a “specified vehicle” as described in the Schedule. Not every light goods vehicle or small bus may be covered; the Schedule narrows the scope.
4. The exemption extended to employers/permitters (Section 3(2))
Section 3(2) provides that section 35(2) of the Act does not apply to a person who employs or permits a person who is exempt under Section 3(1) to drive a specified vehicle on a road.
This is a significant compliance feature. Many road traffic offences and regulatory breaches can involve not only the driver but also the employer, operator, or person who authorises the driving. By extending the exemption to permitters, the Order reduces the risk that an employer could be in breach merely because the driver is operating under the exemption.
Key practical implications of Section 3(2):
- Employer liability is addressed: if the driver is exempt under Section 3(1), the employer/permitter is also shielded from the relevant application of section 35(2).
- Reliance on driver’s status: employers should ensure the driver actually holds a valid Class 3/3A licence. The exemption is conditional; it is not automatic.
5. The Schedule (coverage of “specified vehicles”)
The extract indicates that the Schedule lists the particular light goods vehicles and small buses that qualify as “specified vehicles.” While the Schedule text is not included in the provided extract, it is central to legal analysis. For a practitioner, the Schedule is where you would confirm:
- which vehicle types/variants are included;
- whether there are additional conditions (for example, vehicle specifications, permitted use, or other descriptors); and
- any exclusions that might limit the exemption.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured in a conventional subsidiary legislation format with a short operative core and a Schedule.
Sections 1 to 3 contain the main legal content:
- Section 1 sets the citation and commencement date.
- Section 2 defines key terms and incorporates definitions by reference to other subsidiary legislation.
- Section 3 creates the exemption and extends it to employers/permitters.
The Schedule then identifies the vehicles that fall within the exemption. In practice, the Schedule is often the most operationally important part because it determines whether a particular vehicle is covered.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The exemption applies to drivers and to persons who employ or permit drivers to drive the covered vehicles. Specifically, Section 3(1) applies to “a person who drives a specified vehicle on a road” provided the person holds a valid Class 3 or 3A licence. Section 3(2) applies to “a person who employs or permits” such an exempt driver to drive the specified vehicle.
In terms of practical stakeholders, this includes:
- individual drivers operating qualifying light goods vehicles or small buses;
- fleet operators and transport companies that assign drivers to such vehicles; and
- employers and supervisors responsible for ensuring that drivers are properly licensed.
However, the exemption is not universal for all light goods vehicles and small buses. It is limited to those that are described in the Schedule. Accordingly, the applicability of the Order to any given vehicle depends on the Schedule’s coverage and the driver’s licence class and validity.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
This Order matters because it modifies the licensing compliance landscape for certain commercial and small-scale transport vehicles. Under the Road Traffic Act 1961, section 35 likely establishes a baseline requirement that drivers must hold the appropriate licence class for the vehicle they are driving. The 2025 exemption creates a controlled relaxation—allowing Class 3/3A licence holders to drive specified light goods vehicles and small buses.
From a compliance perspective, the Order reduces friction for operators and drivers by aligning practical vehicle operation with existing licence categories. It may support workforce flexibility, especially where Class 3/3A licence holders are already available and where the vehicles fall within the Schedule.
Equally important, Section 3(2) addresses employer/permitter risk. Without such an extension, an employer could face liability for permitting a driver to operate a vehicle even if the driver would otherwise be exempt. By expressly extending the exemption to permitters, the Order provides a clearer legal basis for employment and rostering decisions.
For practitioners advising transport clients, the key action points are:
- confirm the vehicle is a specified vehicle under the Schedule;
- verify the driver holds a valid Class 3 or 3A licence (granted or renewed under the relevant rules); and
- ensure employment/permission arrangements are documented and operationally consistent with the exemption conditions.
Related Legislation
- Road Traffic Act 1961 (including section 35 and the enabling provision section 142)
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules (R 5), including rule 2(1) (definition of “light goods vehicle”)
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) Rules (R 27), including provisions governing Class 3 and Class 3A licences
- Legislation timeline (for version control and determining the applicable SL version as at the relevant date)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Road Traffic (Light Goods Vehicles and Small Buses — Exemption) Order 2025 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.