Statute Details
- Title: Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) Order 2024
- Act Code: RTA1961-S384-2024
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Road Traffic Act 1961
- Authorising Provision: Section 142 of the Road Traffic Act 1961
- SL Number: S 384/2024
- Date Made: 30 April 2024
- Commencement: 6 May 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 65692980101683; Chassis number W1N1671232A202845
- Registered Owner (as stated): Jaclyn Kaur Tien Hui
What Is This Legislation About?
The Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) Order 2024 is a narrow, vehicle-specific exemption order made under the Road Traffic Act 1961. In practical terms, it relieves one identified vehicle—by reference to its engine and chassis numbers—from the operation of a particular rule in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules.
Although the title refers broadly to “vehicles more than 3 years old,” the operative effect shown in the extract is not a general policy change. Instead, the Order grants a targeted exemption from Rule 5(1) of the relevant Rules for a single vehicle registered in the name of a named individual. This is typical of subsidiary legislation used to implement administrative or exceptional outcomes where the general rule would otherwise apply.
For practitioners, the key point is that this Order does not rewrite the general licensing and registration framework. Rather, it creates a legally effective exception for the specified vehicle, ensuring that the vehicle’s registration/licensing position is not constrained by the referenced rule.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation and commencement) provides the formal identification and timing of the Order. It states that the instrument is the “Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) Order 2024” and that it comes into operation on 6 May 2024. For compliance and evidentiary purposes, commencement matters because the exemption only becomes effective from that date (unless the instrument or the enabling framework provides otherwise).
Section 2 (Exemption) is the operative 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, where that vehicle is registered in the name of Jaclyn Kaur Tien Hui.
In plain language, Section 2 creates a carve-out: if Rule 5(1) would normally impose a requirement or restriction on certain vehicles (as suggested by the Order’s title), that requirement/restriction is suspended for the identified vehicle. The exemption is conditional in two ways: (1) the vehicle must match the stated engine and chassis numbers, and (2) it must be registered in the name of the named person. If either element is not satisfied, the exemption would not apply.
Practical legal implications of the exemption include the following. First, the exemption is vehicle- and owner-specific, not a class-wide relaxation. Second, the exemption is framed as “does not apply,” which generally means the legal effect of Rule 5(1) is excluded for the exempted vehicle. Third, because the exemption is tied to identifiers and registration name, practitioners should ensure that the vehicle registration records align with the engine/chassis details and the registered owner stated in the Order. Any discrepancy could create compliance risk or disputes about whether the exemption is engaged.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured as a short subsidiary instrument with a minimal number of sections. Based on the extract, it contains:
(a) Section 1: Citation and commencement—identifies the instrument and sets the effective date.
(b) Section 2: Exemption—specifies the rule that is disapplied, and identifies the exempt vehicle by engine number and chassis number, and the registered owner by name.
There are no schedules, parts, or additional conditions shown in the extract. This structure reinforces that the instrument is designed for a specific administrative outcome rather than a broad regulatory reform.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order applies to a specific vehicle—identified by engine number 65692980101683 and chassis number W1N1671232A202845—registered in the name of Jaclyn Kaur Tien Hui. Accordingly, it does not create a general right for all vehicle owners of vehicles older than three years, nor does it apply to other vehicles with similar characteristics.
From a legal practice perspective, the “who” question is answered by the instrument’s drafting technique: it uses objective identifiers (engine and chassis numbers) and an administrative fact (registration in a named person’s name). Therefore, the exemption’s applicability depends on the accuracy and continuity of those identifiers and the registration particulars. If the vehicle is subsequently transferred to a different registered owner, or if the vehicle’s identifiers are corrected/updated in the registry (for example, due to clerical correction), the exemption may no longer align with the current registration position—unless a further exemption order is issued.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Order is brief, it is legally significant because it demonstrates how Singapore’s road traffic regulatory framework can be adjusted through targeted subsidiary legislation. The Road Traffic Act 1961 provides the Minister for Transport with powers to make such orders. The exemption order then operates as a legally binding instrument that disapplies a specific rule for a specific vehicle.
For practitioners advising clients—whether vehicle owners, dealers, or compliance teams—the importance lies in avoiding inadvertent non-compliance. If Rule 5(1) imposes a requirement that would otherwise affect registration or licensing for vehicles beyond a certain age threshold, the exemption order can be decisive. Without it, the client might face refusal, delay, or additional conditions. With it, the client can rely on the exemption to support the legality of the registration/licensing outcome for the specified vehicle.
Enforcement and evidentiary considerations also matter. Because the exemption is anchored to engine and chassis numbers and a named registered owner, practitioners should treat the Order as a document to be checked against the vehicle’s particulars in official records. In disputes or audits, the ability to demonstrate that the vehicle matches the identifiers and is registered in the relevant name will be central to confirming that Rule 5(1) is indeed disapplied.
Related Legislation
- Road Traffic Act 1961 (authorising Act; relevant power under section 142)
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules (R 5), specifically Rule 5(1)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Exemption for Vehicles More Than 3 Years Old) Order 2024 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.