Purchasing and owning a motorcycle in Singapore involves several one-time and recurring costs. Below is a detailed breakdown of each cost category – from upfront taxes like COE and ARF to ongoing expenses like road tax, insurance, and fuel – with examples for entry-level Class 2B models (e.g. Yamaha R15, Honda CBR150R). All information is accurate as of mid-2025.
Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
The COE is essentially a 10-year license to own a vehicle in Singapore. Motorcycles fall under COE Category D. Prospective owners must bid for a COE in semi-monthly auctions. The process usually involves a dealer submitting bids on the buyer’s behalf, and the COE price is determined by the lowest successful bid when the bidding exercise closes (pay-as-you-bid system) . Key points about motorcycle COEs:
Current Price: In mid-2025, the motorcycle COE premium is around S$9,000 (e.g. S$9,189 in Aug 2025) . This is significantly lower than car COEs (which exceed S$100k for some categories) but is still a substantial cost relative to the bike’s price. A COE is valid for 10 years; after expiry, it must be renewed (by paying the Prevailing Quota Premium) or the bike must be deregistered.
Pricing Trends: Motorcycle COE prices have risen dramatically over the past decade. Earlier in the 2010s, a Category D COE often cost only a few thousand dollars (averaging under S$2k in 2013) . However, growing demand and limited supply saw premiums skyrocket – peaking above S$13,000 in late 2022/early 2023 . The government intervened with measures (higher bid deposit requirements, shorter validity for unused COEs) to curb speculation, which caused a sharp correction. For example, in May 2023 the Cat D premium plunged to S$5,002 after these measures . Since then, prices have stabilized in the high four-figure range. As of mid-2025, COEs for bikes remain around the S$8k–$10k range per cycle .
Bidding Process: COE bidding for motorcycles typically happens twice a month. Dealers usually bundle the COE in the bike’s purchase package and handle the bidding. A refundable deposit of S$1,500 is required per motorcycle bid (raised from S$800 in 2023 to discourage frivolous bidding) . If the bid is unsuccessful, the deposit can be used for subsequent tenders or refunded. The final price you pay for COE will be the Quota Premium (the clearing price of the tender).
Implication: The COE often represents the single largest component of a new motorcycle’s price. For instance, on a 155cc Class 2B bike like a Yamaha R15 (which might cost ~S$13k on the road), roughly S$9k of that is the COE alone .
Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
The Additional Registration Fee (ARF) is a one-time tax imposed when registering a new motorcycle. It is calculated as a percentage of the bike’s Open Market Value (OMV). Since February 2017, motorcycles have a tiered ARF structure designed to make smaller bikes more affordable :
15% of OMV for the first S$5,000 of the bike’s OMV
50% of OMV for the next S$5,000 (i.e. the portion from S$5,001 to S$10,000)
100% of OMV for any OMV amount above S$10,000
In other words, a bike with OMV ≤ S$5k pays 15% of that value as ARF; a bike with OMV of S$8k would pay 15% of the first $5k + 50% of the remaining $3k; and only very expensive high-OMV motorcycles (OMV > $10k) incur the 100% tier on the amount beyond $10k . Prior to 2017, a flat 15% ARF was charged on all motorcycles, but the tiered system now places a higher tax burden on premium models while keeping commuter bikes’ ARF modest .
For most Class 2B (≤200cc) bikes, OMVs tend to be low (e.g. ~$3,000 or less), so ARF is relatively small. Example: A Yamaha R15 with OMV ≈ S$2,500 incurs an ARF of roughly S$375 (15% of OMV) . A slightly costlier model with OMV ~S$7,000 would pay about S$1,350 ARF (15% of 5k + 50% of 2k). Only big luxury or performance bikes (think high-end Ducati, etc.) with OMVs in the tens of thousands hit the 100% tier – e.g. a superbike with OMV S$20k would face a hefty ARF around S$12k+ .
Excise Duty and GST
On top of OMV and ARF, Singapore levies import duties and taxes on vehicles:
Excise Duty: All motorcycles incur an excise duty of 12% of the OMV . This is charged by Singapore Customs when the vehicle is imported. For instance, a bike with OMV S$3,000 would have an excise of S$360 added.
GST: Goods and Services Tax is charged at the prevailing rate on the OMV + Excise. Singapore’s GST was 8% in 2023 and rose to 9% on 1 Jan 2024 . By mid-2025, the GST rate is 9%. Using the same example, that S$3,000 OMV bike with S$360 excise (total S$3,360) would incur 9% GST on $3,360, which is about S$302.
In combination, excise duty and GST add roughly ~21% of the bike’s OMV to the upfront cost. These are unavoidable taxes applied uniformly. (Notably, cars face higher excise duty of 20%, but for motorcycles it is 12% .)
Summary of Upfront Taxes: To illustrate, consider a Honda CBR150R with an approximate OMV of S$3,000. The excise duty would be S$360 and GST (9%) about S$302, for roughly S$660 in import taxes. Its ARF at 15% would be ~S$450. So even before COE and other fees, the bike has about ~$1,100 in taxes. These, plus the COE (~S$9k) and registration fees, explain why a bike that might cost only a few thousand in the exporting country ends up costing well over ten thousand in Singapore.
Registration and Administrative Fees
There are a few fixed administrative fees payable upon registering a motorcycle:
Registration Fee (RF): A one-time fee for registering the vehicle. As of 2023, this fee was increased to S$350 (previously $220) . Every new vehicle, including motorcycles, pays this flat amount to LTA at registration.
Number Plate Fees: The cost of license plates themselves (and installation) is usually on the owner. This is typically on the order of ~$30–$50 for a pair of motorcycle plates, often arranged by the dealer.
In-Vehicle Unit (IU/OBU): All motorcycles must be fitted with an On-Board Unit (OBU), formerly known as the IU, to enable electronic road pricing deductions and digital parking payments. New Singapore-registered vehicles are now being equipped with the next-generation OBU. The first OBU unit is provided without additional charge for existing vehicles during the switchover . However, for a newly registered bike, the OBU/IU cost may be bundled in the sale; if not, installing one costs around S$150–$200. This is typically a one-time cost.
Others: Dealers may charge minor admin fees for processing, and one may choose to bid for a special vehicle registration number (bid fees start at $1,000, optional). These are not mandatory, so a random plate number incurs no extra charge beyond the plate fabrication cost.
In total, for a typical new motorcycle, the fixed fees (RF + plates + OBU) are on the order of S$400–$600. For example, S$350 registration fee + ~$30 plates + ~$150 OBU = ~$530.
Road Tax
All motorcycles are subject to an annual road tax that is based on engine capacity. The formula is stepped, with smaller engines paying less. According to LTA’s structure :
Up to 200cc: Base road tax of $40 per 6 months (before rebates). After applying current road tax rebates, this comes out to S$31.28 per 6 months (because a 0.782 rebate factor is applied) . In practice, a bike up to 200cc pays ~S$62.50 per year in road tax.
201cc to 1,000cc: Formula = $40 + $0.15*(Engine CC – 200) for 6 months, then times 0.782. For example, a 400cc bike: [$40 + 0.15*(400-200)] × 0.782 = ~$54.74 per 6 months (~S$109 per year). A 600cc bike would be around S$156/year, and an 800cc bike about S$204/year.
Above 1,000cc: Formula = $160 + $0.30*(Engine CC – 1000) for 6 months, times 0.782. For example, a 1,300cc motorcycle pays roughly $195.5 per half-year (~S$391/year). Extremely large engines will scale higher accordingly.
In simpler terms, road tax is fairly low for most bikes compared to cars. A Class 2B commuter (≤200cc) costs on the order of S$60–$70 per year . Mid-sized bikes might be around S$100–$150/year, and even a liter-class superbike is only a few hundred dollars annually. LTA also provides an additional Petrol Duty Rebate for smaller motorcycles (up to 400cc) that were registered before 17 Feb 2021, to offset hikes in petrol excise duties – e.g. an extra $80 rebate for ≤200cc, $50 for 201–400cc, given as cash periodically . This rebate mainly applies to older bikes; new registrations today won’t get it, since it was a transitional measure.
Road tax is paid every 6 or 12 months. It must be renewed on time, or penalties apply. It can be conveniently paid via LTA’s online portal. For electric motorcycles, a different road tax schedule (based on power rating) and an additional flat component (AFC of $200/year from 2024 onwards) apply , but for conventional petrol bikes, the above engine-capacity rates hold.
Motorcycle Insurance
Insurance is compulsory for all motor vehicles in Singapore, including motorcycles. At minimum, you must have Third-Party Only (TPO) coverage before the bike can be registered and used on public roads – this is mandated by law to cover liability for death/injury to others . In practice, riders often choose higher coverage for better protection. There are three common levels of motorcycle insurance:
Third-Party Only (TPO): Covers liability for injuries or death caused to third parties, and damage to third-party property, only. It does not cover any damage to the rider’s own bike or injuries to the rider. This is the cheapest and most basic plan. Typical Premium: around S$200–$300 per year for an experienced rider on a low-capacity bike. The average TPO premium across insurers is about S$232 .
Third-Party, Fire & Theft (TPFT): This includes all TPO coverage, plus coverage if your bike is stolen or damaged by fire. It still does not cover accidental damage to your own bike in a crash. Premiums are moderately higher than TPO. Typical Premium: roughly S$300–$400/year (average ~S$303) .
Comprehensive: This is the highest level, covering third-party liabilities, fire/theft, and also accident damage to your own motorcycle and injuries to yourself (usually up to certain limits). Essentially all risks are covered except common exclusions. Comprehensive plans are recommended for new bikes especially if financed, as they protect the bike’s value. Typical Premium: around S$500 or more per year for a rider with decent profile. The market average for comprehensive is about S$499/year , though for older, safer riders on small bikes it could be in the S$300+ range . Young riders (under 30) often face much higher premiums (sometimes S$800+ for comprehensive) due to higher risk, whereas older riders with clean records enjoy lower rates .
Insurance premiums depend on factors such as the rider’s age and riding experience, claim history (No-Claim Discount can cut premiums up to 20-30%), the bike’s engine size and value, and usage (e.g. commercial food delivery use may attract higher premiums). By law, at least third-party coverage is required , but many riders opt for TPFT as a middle ground if their bike is of moderate value. It’s worth shopping around for quotes; insurers often have different rates (e.g. some specialists offer cheaper plans for Class 2B bikes, etc.).
(Coverage Note:) Regardless of plan, policies in Singapore generally provide unlimited liability cover for third-party injury/death (as required by law), and at least S$500k for third-party property damage. Comprehensive plans will have excesses (deductibles), typically around S$500–$700 standard excess, and an additional “young rider excess” if applicable – meaning a young/inexperienced rider might have to pay the first $1,000 of any claim. This helps keep premiums lower for that demographic, albeit at the cost of higher out-of-pocket if an accident occurs.
Maintenance and Other Ongoing Costs
Beyond the upfront purchase, motorcycle owners should budget for ongoing expenses of ownership and usage. These include maintenance, inspections, fuel, parking, and Electronic Road Pricing tolls:
Maintenance & Servicing: Motorcycles require regular maintenance such as engine oil changes, chain lubrication/adjustment, brake checks, tire changes, etc. It’s advised to service a bike about once every 3 to 6 months (frequency depends on usage and bike type – high mileage riders or high-performance bikes may need more frequent care). Routine servicing is relatively affordable: a basic engine oil change and check-up can cost on the order of S$20–$50 if done at a small workshop . Larger servicing or part replacements (brake pads, new tires, battery, etc.) will cost more – a new set of motorcycle tires might be a few hundred dollars, a battery ~$80–$150, etc. According to industry sources, a comprehensive servicing with parts replacement could be S$100–$200+ in some cases . Overall, maintaining a small bike is cheap compared to a car; many owners spend only a few hundred a year on maintenance if nothing major breaks. Do note that as the bike ages, costs might rise (wear-and-tear part replacements). Keeping up with maintenance not only ensures safety but can also save money by preventing serious faults.
Inspections: Motorcycles above 3 years old must undergo annual road-worthiness inspections at an authorized vehicle inspection center . The inspection checks lights, brakes, emissions, etc. The cost is quite low – under S$20 per inspection (e.g. about $17.12 at STA as of recent years). This is a yearly routine for older bikes, while brand new bikes are exempt for the first 3 years. Budget ~S$20/year for this once the bike hits its 4th registration year.
Fuel: Fuel costs will depend on how much you ride and your bike’s fuel efficiency. Petrol in Singapore is around S$2.80–$2.90 per litre for 95-octane as of mid-2025 . Motorcycles generally have excellent fuel economy. A small 150cc bike like the R15 or CBR150R can easily achieve 30–40 km per liter (or even more under light throttle). For example, if you ride 10,000 km a year, at ~35 km/L you’d consume ~285 liters of petrol. At $2.85/L, that’s about S$810/year (roughly $67 per month) on fuel. Many everyday riders do less mileage (perhaps 500–800 km a month), so their petrol cost might be on the order of S$40–$80 monthly. Premium high-octane fuels (98-octane) cost slightly more ($3.30/L), but most bikes run fine on 95-octane which is a bit cheaper . Overall, fuel is one of the bigger running costs, but still far less than what a car would guzzle.
Parking: Motorcycles enjoy very cheap parking rates in Singapore. At public HDB and URA carparks, bikes can either pay per lot (using the Parking.sg app or coupons) or hold a monthly season pass. The standard short-term rate for bikes is $0.65 per parking session per day (that covers the whole day at a carpark that uses coupon or electronic payment – motorbikes are not charged by the half-hour like cars, but a flat low fee) in most HDB/URA lots. This means even without season parking, grabbing a lot for a few hours or all day only costs $0.65 in many places – a nominal amount. For those parking regularly at home or work, Season Parking is available: a normal motorcycle season parking at an HDB residence costs about S$15 per month (surface carpark) or S$17 per month (covered carpark) . Uniquely, Singapore also offers a Concessionary Season Parking (CSP) for motorcycles – for S$20 per month flat, a motorcyclist can park in any HDB/URA carpark island-wide without additional charges . This is incredibly cost-effective if you move around the city, essentially an “all-access” parking pass. Most riders opt for the $20 concessionary season pass since it covers home parking and everywhere else (it requires you to have a base season parking at your residence, then you top up to $20) . In commercial buildings, bike parking is also relatively cheap – many private malls charge motorcycles around $1 per entry or similar rates. In the CBD, some buildings even allow free bike parking in designated areas. In summary, parking cost for motorbikes is almost negligible: budget perhaps S$20–$30 per month at most, or under $250 a year for unlimited public parking.
ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) Charges: Motorcycles are subject to ERP tolls when passing through ERP gantries during operating hours (typically on expressways and CBD cordon during peak times). However, bikes are charged at a lower rate than cars. Generally, a motorcycle pays about 50% of the car ERP rate at a given gantry (the exact factor is defined by LTA’s Passenger Car Unit system). For example, if a car pays $2.00 at a certain ERP, a motorcycle would be charged roughly $1.00 at that same gantry/time. ERP rates vary by time and location; current car rates range from $0.50 up to $6.00 at the priciest peak slots . A commuter on a bike might incur ERP on weekday mornings/evenings if going through downtown or certain expressways. Even then, the monthly ERP spend for a motorcyclist is quite low – perhaps <$20, unless you commute through many gantries daily. It’s also worth noting that upcoming ERP 2.0 (satellite-based ERP) will charge per distance in congestion zones, but LTA has indicated the charging principles (including cheaper rates for motorcycles) will remain .
Miscellaneous: Other costs to consider include motorcycle accessories/gear (not part of the bike’s running cost per se, but essential for ownership – e.g. a good helmet (~S$100+), gloves, rain gear, etc.), fines (if you get parking or traffic tickets), and depreciation of the bike’s value over time. COE motorcycles depreciate heavily because a large portion of their cost is the 10-year COE. For a new Class 2B bike costing ~$13k, expect its value to drop to maybe half after 5 years (market dependent). Upon reaching 10 years, a decision is needed to renew the COE (pay the prevailing COE price for another 5 or 10 years) or scrap/export the bike and recover the scrap rebate (for bikes, usually just the unused COE rebate if any). While depreciation isn’t an out-of-pocket expense unless you sell, it’s good to be mindful that a COE bike is a time-limited asset.
All in all, owning a motorcycle in Singapore is considerably more affordable than owning a car, but it still comes with substantial costs primarily due to the COE and taxes. For an entry-level motorcycle, the upfront cost is dominated by COE, while the annual recurring costs (insurance, road tax, fuel, maintenance) sum up to a few hundred dollars each, typically well under S$2k/year. Below is a summary comparing the approximate total costs for two common Class 2B models:
Summary Cost Comparison – Entry-Level Motorcycles
Motorcycle (Class 2B)
Upfront One-Time Costs (Purchase & Registration)
Annual Recurring Costs (Ownership per year)
Yamaha YZF-R15 (155cc)
~S$14,000 – Includes bike OMV value (~S$3k), excise & GST (~S$600), ARF (~S$450), COE (~S$9k), registration fee (S$350) , plates/OBU (~S$200).
~S$13,000 – Similar breakdown: OMV roughly S$2.5–3k, excise & GST ~$600, ARF ~$375, COE ~$9k, registration S$350, etc. (COE fluctuations and dealer pricing cause final price to vary) .
~S$1,100–$1,300/yr – Similar running costs as R15. CBR150R’s road tax is identical (~S$62/yr), insurance in the same range, and fuel consumption is comparable (very efficient). Differences in annual cost between these bikes are negligible.
Note: The upfront costs above assume a new bike with a fresh 10-year COE. If one buys a second-hand motorcycle with x years of COE left, the purchase price would correspondingly be lower (pro-rated by remaining COE), and one would later have to renew or scrap at COE expiry. The annual costs assume typical usage and no extraordinary repairs. They can be lower if you ride less or opt only for basic insurance, or higher if you ride very frequently (more fuel/tyres) or choose comprehensive insurance, etc. All figures are in Singapore Dollars.
Sources: The information is compiled from official sources including LTA/OneMotoring guidelines on vehicle fees and taxes , news reports on COE trends , and industry data on insurance premiums and running costs . These should give a reliable picture of the cost structure for owning a motorcycle in Singapore as of 2025. Always check the latest LTA announcements for any fee revisions (for instance, future changes in GST or tax policies could affect some of the above). Overall, a biker can expect a total upfront outlay in the low tens of thousands, and yearly ownership expenses roughly in the low thousands – making it one of the more affordable private transport options in Singapore, albeit still a significant financial commitment due to the COE system.