SingaporeMy car COE expired. Can I continue driving?
No, you cannot continue driving once your car's COE expires — it is illegal and your vehicle must be deregistered immediately.
What the Law Says
The Road Traffic Act makes it unlawful to use a motor vehicle on a road after its Certificate of Entitlement (COE) has expired.
In Singapore, a vehicle’s right to be used on public roads is tied to its valid Certificate of Entitlement (COE). Once the COE expires, that legal right ends — even if the vehicle’s registration, insurance, or road tax are still active.
Section 27 of the Road Traffic Act prohibits the use of any motor vehicle on a road unless it is registered and licensed under the Act. A vehicle with an expired COE is no longer lawfully licensed — meaning continued use is illegal.
There is no grace period: driving even one day after COE expiry violates the law. Enforcement includes towing, fines, and prosecution.
Statutory TextNo person shall use or cause or permit to be used a motor vehicle on a road unless the vehicle is registered and licensed under this Act.
— Road Traffic Act, s. 27 — Use of unregistered or unlicensed vehicles
What to Do
Stop driving the vehicle immediately upon COE expiry.
Deregister the vehicle with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) within 7 days.
Choose one of three options: scrap the vehicle, export it, or renew the COE (if eligible and before expiry).
If you wish to keep the vehicle, bid for a new COE *before* the current one expires — renewal is not possible after expiry.
Ensure all outstanding road tax, insurance, and fines are settled before deregistration.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.