Private Hire Car Licence official FAQ
A structured web version of LTA FAQ guidance for chauffeured Private Hire Cars, PHC inspections, conversion steps, decals, and PDVL or TDVL requirements.
Official source
Check the latest LTA Private Hire Car Licence page before making licensing or vehicle scheme decisions.
Private Hire Car Licence Official PageChange in PHC Periodic Inspection Regime
What changed in the periodic inspection regime for Private Hire Cars (PHCs)? +
From 1 January 2021, all Private Hire Cars must undergo annual inspections to maintain roadworthiness and emission standards. Previously, PHCs generally needed periodic inspection only from the third year after registration and every two years thereafter. PHCs over 10 years old were already inspected annually, so there is no change for them.
Why was the periodic inspection regime changed? +
PHCs provide Point-to-Point passenger transportation services to the public. More regular inspections are intended to better protect drivers, commuters, and other road users.
What items are checked during a PHC periodic inspection? +
The inspection items are the same as those for private cars. In addition, the tamper-evident PHC decals are checked to make sure they have not been tampered with.
What is the cost of a PHC periodic inspection? +
Each LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre sets its own PHC periodic inspection fees. Check the authorised centres for current pricing: www.jic.com.sg, www.stai.com.sg, or www.vicom.com.sg.
Do I need to bring documents for a PHC periodic inspection? +
No document is required for the inspection. LTA sends a Notice of Inspection about three months before the inspection is due, but you do not need to bring that notice along.
Do I have to make an appointment for a PHC periodic inspection? +
An appointment is not necessary. Vehicle owners may check the operating hours of the LTA-Authorised Inspection Centres and are encouraged to avoid peak hours, typically 11:00am to 2:00pm from Mondays to Saturdays.
What happens if my PHC fails the periodic inspection? +
You must rectify the failed items and pass re-inspection before road tax can be renewed. A separate re-inspection fee applies; check the authorised inspection centres for fee details.
I am a taxi driver using PHC platforms. Does the PHC inspection regime apply to my taxi? +
No. The periodic inspection regime for taxis is unchanged. Taxis are required to undergo periodic inspection once every six months.
Introduction of PHC Inward Conversion Inspection
What is the PHC inward conversion inspection? +
From 1 January 2021, all cars converting to chauffeured PHCs must undergo an inward conversion inspection to ensure roadworthiness and emission standards. The car must pass before the vehicle scheme conversion can be completed online at OneMotoring.
Why must a car be inspected before conversion to a chauffeured PHC? +
The inspection ensures vehicles are roadworthy before they provide Point-to-Point passenger services. It is part of safety requirements introduced with the P2P regulatory framework to protect commuters and drivers.
How do I convert my car into a chauffeured PHC? +
Log in to OneMotoring and use Digital Services > Convert Vehicle Type or Scheme. If the vehicle has not passed a periodic or conversion inspection within the last three months, retrieve the conversion inspection advisory, pass the inspection at an authorised inspection centre, then complete the online conversion and pay the administrative fee.
My car passed periodic inspection recently. Must it still go for inward conversion inspection? +
If the private car passed periodic inspection within three months before conversion, it does not need another inspection before conversion. You may proceed with conversion through OneMotoring.
My car was recently converted to a chauffeured PHC and periodic inspection is due soon. Must it go again? +
If the car passed inward conversion inspection within three months before the periodic inspection due date, the next periodic inspection will be rescheduled. LTA will notify you about three months before the vehicle needs inspection again.
What items are inspected during PHC inward conversion inspection? +
The inspection checks roadworthiness and emission standards, and follows the PHC conversion inspection requirements published by LTA and the authorised inspection centres.
What is the cost of inward conversion inspection? +
Each LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre sets its own inward conversion inspection fees. Check www.jic.com.sg, www.stai.com.sg, or www.vicom.com.sg for current details.
Where can I do the inward conversion inspection? +
The inspection can be done at any LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre. Check the centre locations and opening hours, and avoid peak hours where possible.
Do I need to bring documents for inward conversion inspection? +
Yes. Bring and present the PHC inward conversion advisory. It is available in the e-Letter inbox on the OneMotoring dashboard after logging in. If you opted for a hardcopy advisory, bring it. At payment, tell the centre the vehicle is being produced for PHC conversion inspection.
Do I have to make an appointment for inward conversion inspection? +
An appointment is not necessary. Vehicle owners may check the authorised inspection centres for operating hours and avoid peak hours, typically 11:00am to 2:00pm from Mondays to Saturdays.
What happens if my car fails inward conversion inspection? +
You must rectify the failed items and pass re-inspection before converting the car into a PHC. A separate re-inspection fee may apply.
What if I pass inward conversion inspection but do not complete the conversion? +
If you do not complete the online vehicle scheme conversion within three months of passing inspection, you must pass a new inward conversion inspection before converting later. After online conversion, PHC decals must be affixed at an authorised inspection centre within three calendar days.
After passing inward conversion inspection, can I convert my car immediately? +
Yes, but the vehicle owner must log in to OneMotoring, use Digital Services > Convert Vehicle Type or Scheme, and complete the conversion. After that, a pair of tamper-evident PHC decals must be affixed on the front and back windscreens within three calendar days.
After passing inward conversion inspection, can I provide P2P services immediately? +
No. You must complete the online vehicle scheme conversion and pay the $100 administrative fee. Then affix PHC decals within three calendar days. You also need adequate motor insurance and a valid PDVL or TDVL before providing P2P passenger services.
Why might a newly converted PHC need periodic inspection before a full one-year cycle? +
Under the PHC inspection regime, a newly converted PHC may be required to go for periodic inspection between 9 and 15 months after successful conversion. LTA will notify owners three months before the inspection is due.
Converting Out of PHC Scheme
How do I convert out of the chauffeured PHC scheme? +
Log in to OneMotoring, go to Digital Services > Convert Vehicle Type or Scheme, and complete the conversion. A $100 administrative fee applies.
What must I do after converting my vehicle out of the chauffeured PHC scheme? +
Remove and dispose of the two PHC decals on the vehicle windscreens. The decals are no longer valid, and it is an offence for non-PHCs to display PHC decals.
If I convert back into the PHC scheme, can I reuse old PHC decals? +
No. Once a vehicle is converted out of the chauffeured PHC scheme, its decals are invalidated. If you convert it back, a new pair of tamper-evident decals must be affixed within three calendar days.
Will my TDVL or PDVL be cancelled if I convert my vehicle out of the PHC scheme? +
No. Converting the vehicle out of the chauffeured PHC scheme does not affect the remaining validity of your TDVL or PDVL.
Will my PHC automatically convert out if I cancel my TDVL or PDVL? +
No. Cancelling your vocational licence does not affect the vehicle scheme.
What if I cancel my TDVL or PDVL but leave the vehicle in the chauffeured PHC scheme? +
The vehicle remains subject to PHC requirements, including annual inspections, which may be more frequent than private car inspections. If you stop providing P2P services, you may convert the vehicle out of the PHC scheme and remove the decals after conversion.
PHC Decals and Miscellaneous
Why am I unable to register my chauffeured PHC with a PHC operator? +
Check directly with the PHC operator. Operators may have their own onboarding requirements.
The PHC decal serial number differs from OneMotoring. What should I do? +
If the decal serial number differs from the number shown in OneMotoring, check with the inspection centre where the decals were affixed.
Can I remove PHC decals if I am not using the PHC for paid P2P services? +
No. All vehicles registered as chauffeured PHCs must display PHC decals on the front and back windscreens at all times. The decals help enforcement against offences such as unregistered chauffeured services or street-hail pickups by PHCs. Failure to display decals is an offence and may lead to fines or imprisonment.
Can I transfer PHC decals from my current PHC to a new vehicle? +
No. PHC decal serial numbers are tagged to the vehicle number and cannot be transferred. A newly registered chauffeured PHC must receive a new set of decals at an authorised inspection centre.
What must I do to affix PHC decals on my vehicle? +
Complete the vehicle conversion into the chauffeured PHC scheme on OneMotoring first. Then go to any LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre to have the decals affixed.
What if one or both PHC decals are damaged, defaced, altered, or faded? +
Bring the chauffeured PHC to any authorised inspection centre and pay for a new set of decals. Continuing to use a PHC with damaged, defaced, altered, or faded decals is an offence and may lead to fines or imprisonment.
Can I do carpooling trips such as GrabHitch using a chauffeured PHC? +
Drivers with a valid TDVL or PDVL are allowed to use a chauffeured PHC to provide carpooling trips.
Do I need a valid PDVL or TDVL to drive a chauffeured PHC? +
You need a valid PDVL or TDVL if you use the chauffeured PHC to provide paid P2P passenger services. A chauffeured PHC may also be used for personal or social purposes; in that case the driver needs a valid driving licence but not a PDVL or TDVL.
Can my family members use my chauffeured PHC? +
Yes, for personal or social purposes, provided they hold a valid driving licence. They do not need a PDVL or TDVL unless they use the chauffeured PHC to provide paid P2P passenger services.
Must I register an ACRA business entity to provide paid P2P services using a chauffeured PHC? +
No. Individuals may register and own a chauffeured PHC under their own names to provide paid P2P passenger services without registering a business entity with ACRA.
Can any type of car be registered as a chauffeured PHC? +
LTA does not restrict the brand, make, or model of cars that can be registered as chauffeured PHCs. However, PHC operators may impose their own vehicle restrictions, so check with the operators directly.
Annex A: Convert your car to a chauffeured PHC
- Log in to OneMotoring and choose Digital Services > Convert Vehicle Type or Scheme.
- Enter the vehicle number and check whether the vehicle passed periodic or conversion inspection within the last three months.
- If yes, pay the $100 administrative fee and complete the vehicle scheme conversion online.
- If no, access the conversion inspection advisory in the OneMotoring e-Letter inbox, bring the vehicle to any authorised inspection centre, present the advisory, and pass inspection.
- After successful online conversion, affix PHC decals on the front and back windscreens at any authorised inspection centre within three calendar days.
- Before providing P2P passenger services, ensure the driver holds a valid PDVL or TDVL and the vehicle has valid motor insurance.
