Outreach Efforts to Remind Foreign Drivers of Singapore's Vehicle Noise Emission Standards
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns outreach efforts regarding vehicle noise emission standards for foreign drivers and the potential for including reminders in permit application processes. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that regulations are publicised via media and checkpoint posters, though motorists remain responsible for familiarising themselves with local rules. She noted that fines for foreign-registered vehicles rose to 217 in 2025 due to enhanced enforcement blitzes and on-site testing conducted near land checkpoints. While acoustic cameras were found unreliable in crowded traffic, the ministry continues to explore alternative technologies to facilitate enforcement against vehicles exceeding noise limits. National Environment Agency officers will continue to identify and test suspected vehicles in dedicated spaces to ensure compliance without disrupting the flow of traffic.
Transcript
19 Dr Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what outreach or educational efforts are undertaken to remind foreign drivers, including regular cross-border commuters, of Singapore's vehicle noise emission standards; and (b) whether the Ministry will work with LTA to incorporate noise compliance reminders into Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Autopass application processes.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: All motorists, including those driving foreign-registered vehicles, must comply with Singapore's vehicular noise emission limits. The National Environment Agency (NEA) publicises key changes to vehicular emissions policies through media channels as well as posters at land entry checkpoints. Foreign motorists remain responsible for familiarising themselves with our regulations before entering Singapore.
In 2025, 217 fines were issued to foreign-registered vehicles for exceeding the noise emission limits. This was higher than the 106 fines issued in 2024 and 154 fines issued in 2023. The significant increase between 2023 and 2025 can be attributed to enhanced enforcement with a wider coverage in Singapore.
During enforcement blitzes at or near our checkpoints, NEA officers deployed on-site will identify vehicles suspected of exceeding the noise emission limits and direct them to dedicated spaces for further testing to minimise impact on traffic flow. NEA has explored the use of acoustic cameras to enhance enforcement, but they were found to have limited accuracy and reliability in attributing the source of noise to a specific vehicle under the crowded traffic conditions at our checkpoints. Nonetheless, NEA will continue to explore the use of technologies to facilitate enforcement against noisy vehicles.