Expansion of Speed Limiter Regime
To improve road safety, the Traffic Police (TP) will require lorries with a Maximum Laden Weight (MLW) of between 3,501kg and 12,000kg (inclusive) to be installed with speed limiters, which will ensure that these lorries do not go beyond the speed limit of 60km/h1.
This will be implemented in phases. Lorries in this category can begin installation from 1 January 2024.
1Today, TP already requires goods vehicles with MLW above 12,000kg to be fitted with speed limiters; and goods vehicles with MLW not exceeding 3,500kg to be fitted with Speed Warning Devices (SWD).
Installation of Speed Limiters on Existing Lorries in Singapore
Based on consultations with the industry, TP recognises that some time is required to develop the speed limiters to comply with our local requirements, as well as to supply and install the speed limiters. Therefore, while installation will begin from 1 January 2024, lorries will be given two to three years to install and comply with the speed limiter requirement, as indicated in Table 1.
Table 1: Date from which Speed Limiter Requirement Applies
Category |
MLW (kg) |
Date from which requirements applies |
Older models of lorries (Registered before 1 January 2018) |
5,001 – 12,000 |
1 January 2026 |
3,501 – 5,000 |
1 July 2026 |
|
Newer models of lorries (Registered on or after 1 January 2018) |
5,001 – 12,000 |
1 January 2027 |
3,501 – 5,000 |
1 July 2027 |
The speed limiters can only be installed by companies that are authorised by TP (“Authorised Agents”). All lorries will be subjected to a compliance check at the point of installation by an Authorised Agent, to ensure that the speed limiter installed is functioning properly.
The list of authorised agents will be made available at SPF’s website https://www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Traffic/Traffic-Matters/Speed-Limiter-Authorised-Agents from 1 January 2024 onwards. Lorry owners should approach an Authorised Agent early to arrange for the installation of a speed limiter.
Authorised Agents
Companies that are keen to supply, install, rectify, or perform inspections on speed limiters will have to apply to be an Authorised Agent at https://go.gov.sg/tp-authorised-agent-application by 30 November 2023. Companies that are already authorised by TP to install speed limiters for other goods vehicles would also need to apply. TP will issue authorisation certificates to successful applicants by 31 December 2023.
Requirement for Newly-Imported Lorries
From 1 January 2026, newly imported lorries with MLW between 3,501kg and 12,000kg (inclusive) must be equipped with speed limiters in order to be approved for use in Singapore. The relevant documentation should be submitted to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) when seeking pre-registration approval, to show that the lorry is compliant with TP’s speed limiter requirements.
TP is also reviewing our laws to strengthen deterrence against speed-limiter offences such as tampering and non-compliant speed limiters, and against unauthorised speed limiter works. More details will be announced later.
Why do I need to install a Speed Limiter
The speed limiter regime aims to improve road safety and driving behaviour. It complements other measures intended to reduce fatalities and injuries among all road users.
Under Singapore’s laws, it is mandatory for speed limiters to be installed in the following categories of vehicles:
- every goods vehicle having a MLW exceeding 12,000kg and which has, or if a speed limiter is not fitted to it would have, a maximum speed exceeding 60km/h; and
- every public service vehicle having a MLW exceeding 10,000kg and which has, or if a speed limiter is not fitted to it would have, a maximum speed exceeding 60km/h.
Currently, lorries with a MLW between 3,501kg and 12,000kg (inclusive) are not required by law to have any speed management devices, or speed limiters. The law to have speed limiters will be expanded to all lorries in this weight category progressively over 1 January 2026 to 1 July 2027.
Who needs to install a Speed Limiter
All lorries with a Maximum Laden Weight (MLW) of between 3,501kg and 12,000kg (inclusive).
A speed limiter can only be fitted by an Authorised Agent (AA). An AA is one who undertakes any of the following services relating to speed limiters in Singapore –
- Supply;
- Installation;
- Rectification; or
- Inspection of vehicles (fitted with an ECU-based speed limiter).
Only TP can issue authorisation certificates and appoint AAs.
What is a Speed Limiter
Speed limiters limit the maximum speed of a vehicle. In Singapore, it is already a requirement for goods vehicles with MLW above 12,000kg to be fitted with speed limiters and for goods vehicles with MLW not exceeding 3,500kg to be fitted with Speed Warning Devices (SWD). An SWD alerts the driver that he/she has exceeded the speed limit imposed on the vehicle that he is driving.
There are two types of speed limiters – mechanical and Electronic Control Unit (ECU)-based. The ECU-based speed limiter is a newer type of speed limiter. It is estimated to cost less than the mechanical speed limiter. Lorry owners are strongly encouraged to install an ECU-based speed limiter, and should check with AAs on whether their lorry is suitable for installing one. Should the lorry specifications not allow for the installation of such an ECU-based speed limiter, the lorry owner can opt to install a mechanical speed limiter instead.
When to install a Speed Limiter
You are encouraged to install a speed limiter at the earliest opportunity from 1 January 2024 onwards. The timeline is shown in the table below.
Date |
Subject Matter |
30 November 2023 |
Deadline for companies to register with TP to be an AA |
31 December 2023 |
TP appoint AAs and publish the list on SPF’s website |
1 January 2024 |
Installation of speed limiter begins.
|
1 January 2026 |
Newly imported lorries must be equipped with a speed limiter in order to be approved for use in Singapore. |
Existing lorries with MLW between 5,001kg and 12,000kg (inclusive), and registered in Singapore before 1 January 2018 must be fitted with a speed limiter. |
|
1 July 2026 | Existing lorries with MLW between 3,501kg and 5,000kg (inclusive), and registered in Singapore before 1 January 2018 must be fitted with a speed limiter. |
1 January 2027 | Existing lorries with MLW between 5,001kg and 12,000kg (inclusive), and registered in Singapore on or after 1 January 2018 must be fitted with a speed limiter. |
1 July 2027 |
Existing lorries with MLW between 3,501kg and 5,000kg (inclusive), and registered in Singapore on or after 1 January 2018 must be fitted with a speed limiter. |
Where to install a Speed Limiter
How much is a Speed Limiter
Part A: General
Q1. I have a fleet of vehicles. Can the Authorised Agent (AA) install the speed limiter at my location?
Q2. How do I go about checking if the installer is an AA?
A2:
- The list of AAs will be made available on at https://www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Traffic/Traffic-Matters/Speed-Limiter-Authorised-Agents from January 2024 onwards. You may also request for proof of authorisation, when engaging the installer.
- AAs are appointed by TP to install speed limiters in compliance with the standards stated in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Limiters) Rules. It is an offence under rule 6 to engage an unauthorised agent to install speed limiters on vehicles.
Q3. My vehicle is a parallel import. Where can I install a speed limiter?
Q4. Will the installation of a speed limiter affect my vehicle performance?
Q5: If my lorry is currently fitted with a non-ECU-based speed limiter, do I have to change to an ECU-based speed limiter?
Q6. What do I have to do once I have installed a speed limiter?
A6: You are to ensure that the speed limiter complies with the existing requirements under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Limiters) Rules. For example, the speed limiter label provided by the authorised agent must be visibly displayed at the top right portion of the front windscreen as seen from the outside of the vehicle. Not doing so constitutes an offence under rule 7.
Drivers should also ensure that the vehicle does not go beyond the prescribed speed limit of 60km/h at all times. You are strongly advised to get your speed limiter checked by an AA immediately, if there is reason to believe that it is not functioning according to its purpose to limit vehicle speed to 60 km/h.
Q7. Which requirement applies if I purchase a lorry in this weight category with MLW between 3,501kg and 12,000kg (inclusive) in 2024 or 2025?
A7: Your lorry will be considereda newer model of lorry. Please ensure that it is fitted with a speed limiter by 1 January 2027, if it falls within the 5,001 – 12,000 kg weight category; or by 1 July 2027, if it falls within the 3,501 – 5,000kg weight category.
Category |
MLW (kg) |
Date from which requirement applies |
Newer models of lorries (Registered on or after 1 January 2018) |
5,001 – 12,000 |
1 January 2027 |
3,501 – 5,000 |
1 July 2027 |
Q8. How do I know the Maximum Laden Weight of my lorry?
Q9. Can I install both on-board units (OBUs) and speed limiters at the same workshop and in the same session?
The installation procedures for the ERP 2.0 OBU and a speed limiter are different. However, some workshops that are involved in the OBU installation may also have the expertise and capacity to perform installation of speed limiters. You are advised to check directly with the workshops if the suitable speed limiters are available, and if both can be installed together, while still adhering to the installation period that LTA has specified in your OBU installation notification.
Please note that a workshop appointed to install the OBU may not be authorised by TP to also perform speed limiter installation
Part B: Questions pertaining to installation of a speed limiter
Q10. When should I install a speed limiter in my vehicle?
A10: You are recommended to approach an AA to get an assessment of the speed limiter suitable to be installed in your vehicle from 1 January 2024 onwards to avoid delays as time may be required for ordering of the speed limiters. Installation is required to be completed before the requirement date kicks in. Refer to the table below.
Category |
MLW (kg) |
Date from which requirement applies |
Older models of lorries (Registered before 1 Jan 2018) |
5,001 – 12,000 |
1 January 2026 |
3,501 – 5,000 |
1 July 2026 |
|
Newer models of lorries (Registered on or after 1 January 2018) |
5,001 – 12,000 |
1 January 2027 |
3,501 – 5,000 |
1 July 2027 |
Q11. Who should install first?
Q12. If the requirement sets in only in 2 years’ time, why do I have to install the speed limiter now?
A12: The size of the lorry population is large. A phased approach is adopted to spread out the installation demand to ensure that all lorries have sufficient time to install the speed limiter.
You are strongly encouraged to have your vehicle installed with a speed limiter as soon as possible. Failure to comply by the date which the requirement applies will be an offence under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Limiters) Rules.
Q13. My vehicle’s COE is expiring after July 2027. Do I have to install the speed limiter?
Q14. Do I need to pay for the speed limiter installation?
Part C: Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Limiters) Rule
Q15. What kind of rules am I subjected to when my lorry is fitted with a speed limiter?
Q16. Can I go beyond the speed limit of 60km/h, if my vehicle is installed with a speed limiter?
Q17. Who is responsible when my vehicle is caught speeding?
A17: Even with the installation of a speed limiter, drivers are responsible for ensuring that they do not drive beyond the speed imposed on the vehicle, or the road speed limit, whichever is lower.
Lorry owners and drivers are expected to be familiar with the rules imposed regarding speed limiters, in addition to other road traffic rules.
Q18. What are the consequences if I am caught speeding while driving a vehicle installed with a speed limiter?
Q19. Does my lorry need to undergo inspection?
Q20. How do I know if the speed limiter is approved for use in Singapore?
A20: An “approved speed limiter” means any speed limiter meeting the following standards:
- the British Standard for Maximum Road Speed Limiters for Motor Vehicles published by the British Standards Institution under the number BSAU 217: Part 1: 1987 as amended by Amendment Slip No. 1 under the number AMD 5969; or
- the European Standard 92/24/EEC;
Q21. Which workshops can perform inspections on speed limiters? Can my preferred workshop perform inspections on speed limiters?
A21: A workshop must be an AA in order to perform inspections. Workshops can apply to be an AA at https://go.gov.sg/tp-authorised-agent-application. TP will appoint successful AA applicants and issue them with an authorisation certificate.