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When & How To Renew Your COE In Singapore – Consider The Options

In recent years in Singapore, renewing COE has become the preferred choice due to the steep rise in car prices attributed to heightened import taxes and surcharges. Here are key considerations to bear in mind as you navigate your way through the COE renewal process, whether you're an existing car owner or a potential new car buyer.

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When Is The Best Time To Renew COE?

Before renewing your COE, it's crucial to acquaint yourself with essential terms, and one of them is Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP). Familiarising yourself with PQP will empower you to make more informed decisions regarding COE renewal or deregistration.

Take note of bidding exercises

Pre-existing conditions
To renew your COE, you need to settle the Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP) corresponding to your vehicle category. PQP represents the moving average of the Quota Premium (QP) over the past three months and fluctuates monthly based on the QP from bidding exercises conducted during that period. Months without bidding activity are excluded from the PQP calculation. You may refer to the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) website for the details on bidding exercises.

Use the right PQP to renew your COE

Pre-existing conditions
You should only utilise the PQP corresponding to your COE expiration month or earlier. For instance, if your COE expires in June, opt for the PQP of May or June. If uncertain, our COE executives can offer guidance on the most appropriate PQP based on your vehicle details.

Avoid late renewal of your COE

Pre-existing conditions
To prevent incurring late renewal charges, ensure you renew your COE by its expiration date. Any COE renewal after its expiration will incur late fees. Please review the applicable late fees for your vehicle below. If you fail to renew your COE within one month of its expiration, you must promptly dispose of your vehicle.

Vehicle typeLate renewal fee
Motorcycle$50
Private Motor Car (1,000cc and below) $50
Private Motor Car (1,001cc to 1,600cc)$100
Private Motor Car (1,601cc to 2,000cc)$150
Private Motor Car (2,001cc to 3,000cc)$200
Private Motor Car (More than 3,000cc)$250
Business Service Passenger Vehicle (Company Car)$250
Goods Vehicle and Public Service Vehicle$250
Others$250

3 Ways To Renew Your COE

You have the option to renew your COE for either a five-year (paying 50% of the PQP) or ten-year period (paying 100% of the PQP) and there are three ways available for renewing your COE:

1. Online through the One Motoring website

Pre-existing conditions
  • You'll need an internet banking account with DBS/POSB, UOB, Citibank, Standard Chartered, or OCBC.
  • Ensure your daily transaction limit is adequate and that your account has sufficient funds.

2. By mail

Pre-existing conditions
  • Fill out the application form and send it to the LTA Customer Service Centre at 10 Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575701.
  • Make the cheque payable to 'LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY' and cross it 'A/C Payee Only'. Indicate your vehicle and contact number on the reverse side.
  • Cashier's orders are the only acceptable form of payment for expired COE renewals.

3. Visit LTA's customer service center

Pre-existing conditions
  • Complete the application form and submit it along with your payment at 10 Sin Ming Drive, 575701.
  • Make the cheque payable to 'LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY' and cross it 'A/C Payee Only'. Indicate your vehicle and contact number on the reverse side.
  • Payment options include cash, cashier's order, NETS, Diners Club Card, or cheque.

Comparison Of Paying 50% vs. 100% Of The Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP)

Paying 50% of PQPPaying 100% of PQP
Limit for no. of times of renewal
  • For vehicles falling under Categories A, B, and D, you have the option to renew your COE for a single 5-year period. Once this initial 5-year renewal term concludes, further renewal isn't permitted, necessitating vehicle deregistration.
  • For vehicles classified under Category C, renewing your vehicle's COE for an initial 5-year term allows for subsequent renewals after the first period elapses. However, subsequent renewals are limited to additional 5-year periods. Upon reaching the end of the vehicle's statutory lifespan, COE renewal becomes impossible, leading to vehicle deregistration.
For vehicles with no statutory lifespan (i.e. Categories A, B and D), there is no limit to how many times you can renew your COE in 10-year periods.
Renewal periodCOE renewed for 5 yearsCOE renewed for 10 years
Premium costLower initial premiumHigher initial premium
Coverage levelLower coverage limitsHigher coverage limits
Risk sharingPolicyholder shares less risk with insurerPolicyholder shares more risk with insurer
Out-of-pocket costsMay be responsible for a larger portion of covered lossesMay be responsible for a smaller portion of covered losses
*All data are accurate as per the time of writing and information provided on LTA’s website on 13 May 2024.

Alternative Options To COE Renewal

Scrap the car and buy a new one

To dispose of your car, you'll first need to deregister it. This can be conveniently accomplished through the SingPass portal online. As for disposing of the vehicle itself, you have a couple of options: you can either take it to an LTA-authorised scrap yard, or enlist the services of a motor dealer like motorist.sg to assist you with the process.

Rent or lease a car

Car rental companies like GetGo, BlueSG, Tribecar typically offer a selection of new or fairly recent vehicles for lease over extended periods.

Alternatively, you may choose to lease directly from an automotive manufacturer such as Daimler Fleet Management, BMW, Volkswagen, or Porsche. Leasing from these companies comes with the advantage of receiving servicing akin to owning the vehicle, though the lease duration might span from 4 to 8 years.

The primary advantage of car leasing is its ability to require less initial payment while still providing the perks of vehicle ownership. To find out more about the best car rental options, check out our blog article on the Best Car Sharing Guide in Singapore .

Will My Car Insurance Premium Be Affected By The COE Renewal?

It can be a yes or a no. In Singapore, car insurance premiums can increase when the COE is renewed, although this isn't a direct correlation. When COE prices rise due to market demand or other factors, it often reflects an increase in the overall cost of owning a vehicle. During the renewal process, you might also contemplate whether to choose a more extensive car insurance plan. 


This decision hinges on various factors, including your current vehicle's registration. For owners of newer or higher-value cars, opting for additional coverage by paying extra premiums could prove beneficial. This approach ensures that in the event of an accident resulting in total loss, you can receive compensation equivalent to your vehicle's value, up to the policy limit. 


Notably, vehicles exceeding 10 years old do not qualify for comprehensive coverage in Singapore. To ensure you secure the appropriate level of protection tailored to your requirements, it's prudent to explore insurance options and compare rates several months before your car insurance renewal date.



Compare The Best Car Insurance Quotes in Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I renew my COE?

It is best to renew your COE by its expiration date. Any COE renewal after its expiration will incur late fees. Do keep track of your car’s COE expiry and the category in which your car is eligible for renewal as the renewal terms and conditions differ for each category.

For example, renewing the COE for an initial 5-year term for vehicles classified under Category C allows for subsequent renewals after the first period elapses.

How can I renew my COE?

Currently, there are 3 ways to renew your COE, and they include:
  • Online through the One Motoring website
  • By mail which involves filling out the application form and payment cheque, and sending it to the LTA Customer Service Centre at 10 Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575701.
  • In person at LTA's customer service center which means submitting the completed application form with your payment at 10 Sin Ming Drive, 575701.