Some go-kart operators exempted from permit requirement since Jan 2 in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Operators of some go-kart rides have been exempted from applying for installation and operating permits since Jan 2, following rule changes.

The exemptions apply to operators of battery-powered go-kart rides that have a speed limit of under 6kmh, and have mechanical parts that are safely covered, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) announced on Jan 5.

In a Facebook post on the same day, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said that in his previous role at the Ministry of Transport, he had received an appeal from some entrepreneurs about the permits needed for battery-operated go-karts under the Amusement Rides Safety Act.

Without giving details of the appeal, Mr Chee said that the company operates low-risk, low-speed rides for children in a shopping mall, and that he understood its concerns.

“While safety remains our priority, it is also important that our regulations keep pace with the evolving needs of businesses in the amusement rides industry and reflect the varying risk profiles of different types of rides,” he said.

“It is not necessary to subject go-karts that are battery-operated and run at low speeds below 6kmh to the same set of safety requirements as go-karts that are used for racing.”

Mr Chee said he supported the company’s appeal to BCA, which regulates the amusement rides sector. He also asked the agency to streamline its licence approval process as part of the National Development Ministry’s efforts to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses and forge a pro-enterprise environment.

He added that the exemption “will help operators of low-risk rides to respond more quickly to market demands while maintaining safety standards”.

In addition to time saved on waiting for permit approvals, Mr Chee said operators can also save on some fees, such as up to $5,000 for installation permits and associated professional costs, as well as annual savings of $2,000 from renewals of operating permits.

Responding to queries, a BCA spokeswoman said that before the exemptions, all go-kart operators were required to obtain permits for installation, modification and operation of their facilities.

“The process for obtaining these permits typically takes up to 30 working days as it involves a thorough review of submissions, including design assessments to ensure safety considerations are met,” she said.

The spokeswoman added that while safety remains BCA’s priority, “it is also important that our regulations keep pace with the evolving needs of businesses in the amusement rides industry and reflect the varying risk profiles of different types of rides”.

She said that operators of low-speed go-karts who are not subject to BCA’s regulatory requirements should continue to ensure proper maintenance, conduct regular safety checks, and follow manufacturer recommendations to protect users.

Mr Chris Tan, chief executive of sports enrichment company PeopleUp, said his company faced challenges complying with the Amusement Rides Safety Act when it was setting up VroomTown, an indoor driving facility for children in Marina Square that opened in mid-2024.

He noted that as the regulations were broad, applying them to the facility would have necessitated the installation of safety features such as crash bars used in racing circuits for go-karts – an overkill for VroomTown, where karts travel at 5kmh, similar to walking speed.

His company submitted an appeal to Mr Chee.

“A broad-based application of the rules is very restrictive, and without the latest exemptions, the costs and resources needed to apply and conform to the rules would have been very high,” Mr Tan said.