Enhancements for the OPC scheme

At present, a person who registers a new car as an OPC enjoys an up-front tax rebate of up to $17,000. However, if a person converts his normal car into an OPC, he does not get any refund of the taxes paid. Instead, he receives an additional Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate of $2,200 per year, which is paid as a lump sum only upon de-registration of the car provided it is PARF-eligible.

By end January 2010, owners of normal cars who convert to the revised OPC Scheme will enjoy a cash rebate of up to $1,100 for every 6 months' of registration as an OPC, until the car reaches 10 years old - instead of having to wait for their car to be deregistered first. The car must be kept as an OPC for at least 6 months after its conversion, except in cases of de-registration or when the OPC reaches the age of 10 years.

From 23 November 2009, all paper supplementary licences will no longer be valid for use. Owners will need to purchase valid e-Day Licences when they use their Off-Peak cars during the restricted hours.

OPC owners may choose to purchase the e-Day Licences without a usage date (prepaid un-dated e-Day Licence), and enter the usage date for the prepaid un-dated e-Day Licence at any SingPost/AAS outlet or via Internet (login to LTA e-Services at www.onemotoring.com.sg) by 2359 hours on the next day of usage.

OPC owners can start buying the e-Day Licences from 9th November 2009 for use from 23rd November 2009. This allows car owners sufficient time to prepare for the transition of the paper licence system to the new e-Day Licence system.

Between 26 October 2009 and 31 May 2010, OPC owners can return any unused paper supplementary licences that are not torn, tampered, defaced or in any manner invalidated to any SingPost outlets or LTA's office located at 10 Sin Ming Drive.

It is a serious offence to use an OPC on the roads during the restricted hours without a valid supplementary licence (be it the paper licence prior to 23 November 2009 or the e-Day Licence from 23 November 2009). This includes the use of the OPC with a prepaid un-dated e-Day Licence where the owner/driver had failed to enter the usage date for the e-Day Licence by 2359 hours on the next day the OPC/WEC was used.

The driver or registered owner of the OPC who causes or permits the vehicle to be driven during the restricted hours without a valid e-Day Licence shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be punished with a fine of not exceeding $5,000, and in the case of second or subsequent conviction, a fine of not exceeding $10,000.

Credits: Article courtesy of the Land Transport Authority, pictures by Azfar Hashim