Forum: Car inspection can be made more efficient
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
In Singapore, cars aged between three years and 10 years are required to be inspected every two years, while those above 10 years must be inspected annually. These inspections can be carried out only at selected test centres, as mandated by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
While I understand that these inspections are intended to ensure road safety and emissions compliance through a standardised and independent process, the current approach feels increasingly outdated. Most car owners today already send their vehicles for regular servicing – often every six months – where many of the same checks are performed.
Given this, it may be worth considering whether inspections could be integrated, at least partially, with routine servicing. This could improve convenience for vehicle owners without significantly compromising safety. For instance, accredited workshops could be authorised to conduct official inspections under strict regulation and auditing, ensuring that standards remain consistent and conflicts of interest are managed.
The current system is efficient – the inspection process itself is quick and can take less than 30 minutes during off-peak hours – but requiring drivers to visit separate, designated centres adds an extra layer of inconvenience that may no longer be necessary.
Perhaps it is timely for LTA to review this policy and explore ways to modernise the system, balancing the need for independent oversight with greater flexibility and convenience for motorists.
Jason Chiam Chiah Sern
