Statute Details
- Title: Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) (No. 2) Order 2024
- Act Code: RTA1961-S515-2024
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Road Traffic Act 1961
- Authorising Provision: Section 142 of the Road Traffic Act 1961
- Order Number: No. 2
- SL Citation: SL 515/2024
- Date Made: 4 June 2024
- Date of Commencement: 17 June 2024
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provisions (from extract): Section 1 (Citation and commencement); Section 2 (Exemption)
- Relevant Rules Referenced: Rule 5(1) of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules (R 5)
- Exempted Vehicle Identifiers: Engine number 1UR0847061; Chassis number URJ2024212803
- Registered Owner (as stated): Koh Rong Hui Joel
What Is This Legislation About?
The Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) (No. 2) Order 2024 is a targeted exemption order made under the Road Traffic Act 1961. In plain terms, it relieves a specific motor vehicle—identified by its engine number and chassis number—from the operation of a particular rule in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules.
Although the title refers to “vehicles more than 3 years old,” the operative mechanism in this Order is not a general policy change. Instead, it grants a narrow exemption from Rule 5(1) for one particular vehicle registered in the name of a named individual. This is typical of subsidiary legislation used to deal with exceptional cases where the general regulatory requirements would otherwise apply.
The Order therefore sits within Singapore’s broader vehicle registration and licensing framework. It does not overhaul the licensing system; rather, it creates a legally effective carve-out for a specific vehicle so that the vehicle can be treated as exempt from the relevant requirement in Rule 5(1).
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation and commencement) provides the formal identification and timing of the Order. It states that the Order is cited as the “Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) (No. 2) Order 2024” and that it comes into operation on 17 June 2024. For practitioners, the commencement date matters because it determines when the exemption becomes legally effective and can affect compliance steps, enforcement risk, and the validity of actions taken before and after that date.
Section 2 (Exemption) is the substantive provision. It states that Rule 5(1) of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules (R 5) does not apply to the vehicle bearing the specified engine number and chassis number that is registered in the name of Koh Rong Hui Joel. The exemption is therefore conditional and highly specific: it is tied to (i) the vehicle’s identifying particulars and (ii) the registered owner named in the Order.
From a legal and compliance perspective, the key point is that the exemption is not drafted in broad terms such as “vehicles older than 3 years” generally. Instead, it is a vehicle-specific exemption. This means that the exemption will not automatically extend to other vehicles, even if they are similar in age or type. Likewise, if the vehicle were registered under a different owner, the exemption’s applicability could become contestable, because the Order expressly references registration “in the name of” the named individual.
Practitioners should also note the drafting technique: the Order uses the formula “Rule 5(1 …) does not apply to the vehicle bearing [identifiers] … registered in the name of [owner].” This is a classic approach to exemptions in Singapore subsidiary legislation. It does not repeal Rule 5(1); it simply removes Rule 5(1)’s effect for the specified case. Accordingly, all other rules and regulatory requirements that are not expressly disapplied would continue to apply to the vehicle.
Finally, the Order includes the standard making and signature block: it was made on 4 June 2024 by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Singapore, on behalf of the Minister for Transport. This confirms the instrument’s validity as an exercise of the statutory power conferred by section 142 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a very concise format, consisting of an enacting formula and two operative sections:
(1) Section 1 sets out the citation and commencement date.
(2) Section 2 provides the exemption from Rule 5(1) for the specified vehicle and registered owner.
There are no additional parts, schedules, or complex procedural provisions in the extract provided. The instrument is therefore best understood as a short, legally precise exemption order rather than a comprehensive regulatory framework.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to a single identified motor vehicle—defined by its engine number and chassis number—and to the extent that the vehicle is registered in the name of Koh Rong Hui Joel. The exemption is thus personal to the named registered owner and factual to the specific vehicle identifiers.
In practical terms, the exemption benefits the registered owner and any lawful holder of the vehicle’s registration status, but only insofar as the vehicle falls within the exact description in Section 2. If the vehicle is replaced, re-identified, or its registration status changes such that it no longer matches the description (for example, if ownership changes and the vehicle is registered in another person’s name), the exemption may no longer be available unless another exemption order is made or the relevant rule is otherwise satisfied.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Order is narrow, it is legally significant because it demonstrates how Singapore regulates vehicle registration and licensing through a combination of general rules and targeted exemptions. For lawyers advising clients—particularly in matters involving vehicle registration, compliance, and regulatory approvals—this Order illustrates that exemptions can be granted by subsidiary legislation, but they are typically drafted with strict boundaries.
From an enforcement and risk-management perspective, the Order reduces compliance exposure for the specified vehicle by disapplying Rule 5(1). If Rule 5(1) imposes a requirement that would otherwise apply to vehicles more than 3 years old, then this exemption provides a lawful basis for treating the vehicle differently. Practitioners should therefore treat the Order as a compliance “shield” for the specified identifiers and registered owner, rather than as a general relaxation of the rules.
In addition, the Order’s commencement date (17 June 2024) is important for determining whether any regulatory actions taken around that time were subject to the general rule or the exemption. Where disputes arise—such as challenges to enforcement actions, questions about the legality of registration steps, or the validity of administrative decisions—commencement timing can be decisive.
Finally, this Order is a reminder that vehicle regulatory compliance is often highly document- and identifier-driven. Engine and chassis numbers are used as the legal “keys” to determine whether an exemption applies. Lawyers and compliance teams should therefore ensure that vehicle records, registration particulars, and supporting documentation align precisely with the identifiers stated in the exemption instrument.
Related Legislation
- Road Traffic Act 1961 (including section 142, which authorises the making of such exemption orders)
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules (R 5), specifically Rule 5(1) (disapplied by this Order)
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) (No. 1) Order 2024 (if applicable, for practitioners comparing exemption patterns—note: not provided in the extract)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) (No. 2) Order 2024 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.