Swapping of Car Registration Number Plates with Another Car's Plate

Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the swapping of car registration number plates with another car's plate is an offence if the swap is done outside of Singapore for purposes of avoiding traffic summons in a foreign country; and (b) how many drivers have been fined for displaying an incorrect car registration number over the past three years.

If the swapping of number plates is done outside Singapore, whether it is an offence will depend on the facts of the case. For instance, it is an offence if the driver is also found to be in possession of the false plate with the intention to deceive in Singapore, where the driver may be punished with a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to 12 months.

We would be happy to share information, to the extent permitted by our laws, with our foreign counterparts to assist with investigations into any other possible offences under foreign laws.

It is an offence to display false number plates in Singapore. Anyone found doing so may be punished with a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to 12 months. Between 2017 and 2018, there were six persons convicted of displaying false number plates. Three of them received jail sentences of four to nine weeks, while the other three had fines imposed.