We refer to Ms Janet Tan’s letter “Does five-year COE renewal count towards overall quota?” (ST, 7 Jan 2020).

For cars and motorcycles, the validity period for new COEs and renewal COEs is set at ten years, with no restrictions on the number of renewals.

For car owners who feel that their vehicle may not last another ten years, or for other personal reasons might only wish to hold on to their car for another five years, we allow a one-time five-year COE renewal as a special concession. The vehicle must be deregistered immediately at the end of five years, and this condition is made known clearly to all car owners when they opt for the five-year extension option. The COE from the deregistered vehicle is then returned to the pool of COEs available for bidding.

As a whole, our vehicle ownership system aims to be fair, while taking into account the different needs of existing car owners and prospective owners.

Mr Ong Hui Guan
Deputy Group Director, Policy & Planning 
Land Transport Authority