Enforcement Checks on Qualification and Certification of Technicians Performing Maintenance and Repair Works in Vehicle Workshops

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport (a) how does the Ministry ensure that technicians performing maintenance and repair works in Singapore's vehicle workshops are qualified and certified; and (b) how often are enforcement checks on the qualifications carried out.

To ensure that vehicles are safe for use on our roads, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) requires them to be inspected at Authorised Inspection Centres (AICs). This is more efficient than regulating motor vehicle workshops or their technicians, which could entail greater compliance costs for business owners and consumers. Older vehicles, vehicles used for point-to-point passenger transport, as well as goods vehicles are subjected to more frequent inspections. Vehicles that do not pass these inspections cannot be used on the roads.

The AICs are, in turn, regulated by LTA. For example, the inspectors have to attain specific certification, such as a certificate from the National Institute of Technical Education in relevant fields, such as automotive technology, to be qualified. It is an offence under the Road Traffic Act to hire someone without the requisite qualifications. So far, LTA's inspection regime has helped to ensure that the vehicles used locally are in good condition.