Singapore To Ban Old Motorcycles Completely By 2028

Singapore is set to restrict old motorcycles from its roads, with old motorcycles registered before July 1, 2003 to be banned after June 30, 2028. And starting April 1, 2023, stricter emission standards, which are equivalent to Euro 4, will be adopted. Old motorcycles which are being used on the city's streets must meet the new emission regulations or face hefty fines. And from 2028, old motorcycles will be required to be taken off the road for good. The measures are taken to reduce Singapore's air pollution and improve air quality.

According to Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA), local motorcycles originally registered before July 1, 2003, are affected. "These motorcycles can continue to be used until Jun 30, 2028, as long as they meet the tightened in-use emission standards," the NEA said. Motorcycles registered after July 1, 2003, are already covered by the new policy. Foreign motorcycles (motorcycles coming in or just passing by Singapore) are not going to be exempted, says NEA.

Owners of old motorcycles may be able to use their 'classic' bikes under a new scheme from the National Environment Agency

But there is hope for owners who wish to retain their old motorcycles. For owners who wish to retain their motorcycles as classic vehicles, the NEA is exploring a temporary scheme which will allow local motorcycles that were first registered between July 2, 1993 and June 30, 2003 to be retained after June 30, 2028, until such time when they are eligible for a Classic Vehicle Scheme. To be eligible as a "classic" motorcycle in Singapore, the bike should at least be 35 years or older from its original vehicle registration and is subject to certain usage restrictions. The NEA will consult relevant industry and interest groups for such schemes.

In India, the government has announced a scrappage policy for old vehicles, but there's no real roadmap for when it will be implemented. Once the scrappage policy comes into place, in India too, motorcycles which are more than 15 years old will need to get a fitness certificate to be used for additional 5 years. So far, there's no clarity on how classic and vintage vehicles will be classified.