By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Riding in Singapore starts with a Class 2B licence, which covers motorcycles up to 200cc. After holding it for at least a year you can take Class 2A (201 to 400cc), and a year after that, Class 2 (above 400cc). Every new motorcycle needs a Category D COE, which closed at S$11,012 in the bidding exercise of 7 October 2026. On top of the bike’s price you pay a tiered Additional Registration Fee of 15% on the first S$5,000 of its open market value, rising to 50% and then 100% above that. Road tax for a bike up to 200cc is modest, and insurance, gear and parking complete the budget.
A motorcycle is still the most affordable way to own your own wheels here. Here is how to get on the road and what it will take.
Quick facts
- Class 2B: motorcycles up to 200cc, or electric up to 15kW; minimum age 18.
- Class 2A: 201 to 400cc, or electric 15.1 to 25kW; hold 2B for a year first.
- Class 2: above 400cc, or electric above 25kW; hold 2A for a year first.
- Category D COE: S$11,012 on 7 October 2026, down from S$12,201 two weeks earlier.
- ARF: 15% of the first S$5,000 of OMV, 50% of the next S$5,000, 100% above S$10,000.
- Inspection: yearly once the motorcycle is three years old.
Which licence do I need?
| Class | Petrol engine | Electric motor | Before you can take it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | Up to 200cc | Up to 15kW | Aged 18 or above |
| 2A | 201 to 400cc | 15.1 to 25kW | Held Class 2B for at least a year |
| 2 | Above 400cc | Above 25kW | Held Class 2A for at least a year |
So the shortest path to a big bike is about two years. You pass the Basic Theory Test and the Riding Theory Test, then circuit and on-road lessons, then the Traffic Police practical test.
What does the licence cost?
Fees depend on the school and, above all, on how many lessons you need. As an example, these are items from Singapore Safety Driving Centre’s motorcycle price list effective 1 July 2026:
| Item | Class 2B | Class 2A |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolment and theory lessons | S$242.85 | S$113.36 |
| Circuit lesson, 100 minutes, off-peak | S$32.70 | S$40.33 |
| On-road lesson, 100 minutes, off-peak | S$43.60 | Not listed separately |
| Practical test (rental, test and admin) | S$144.94 | S$166.74 |
| Basic Theory Test / Riding Theory Test | S$7.20 each | Already passed |
Multiply the lesson rate by the number of sessions the school says you need, then add a buffer for a revision lesson or a retest. Peak-hour lessons cost a little more. The other schools publish their own price lists, so compare the full package rather than one line.
How the Category D COE and ARF work
Category D is the COE category for all motorcycles. Premiums are set by open bidding twice a month and last 10 years. Dealers usually bid on your behalf and fold the COE into the on-the-road price, so check whether a quoted price includes it.
The ARF is tiered on the bike’s open market value (OMV). Two worked examples:
| OMV | 15% tier | 50% tier | 100% tier | Total ARF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S$8,000 | S$750 | S$1,500 | S$0 | S$2,250 |
| S$12,000 | S$750 | S$2,500 | S$2,000 | S$5,250 |
The steep top tier, introduced in February 2023, means a premium bike’s tax rises quickly with its value.
The running costs
- Road tax: set by engine capacity. LTA’s published formula puts a petrol bike up to 200cc at about S$31 every six months; larger engines pay more. Use the OneMotoring road tax calculator for your model.
- Insurance: depends on age, riding experience and claims history; new riders pay the most.
- Inspection: yearly from the third year at an LTA-authorised centre.
- Parking, ERP and petrol: motorcycles pay lower rates than cars at HDB and URA car parks and under ERP.
- Gear: helmet, gloves and a riding jacket are worth buying well.
The WahLiao Verdict
Start with Class 2B and a modest bike: it is the cheapest licence, the lowest ARF and the lowest road tax, and a year on it teaches you more than any brochure. Budget the COE as the biggest single cost after the bike itself, and watch the bidding results for a few rounds before you sign, because Category D can swing by a thousand dollars in a fortnight. Spend properly on your helmet.
Questions people ask
Can I ride a 400cc bike with a Class 2B licence?
No. Class 2B covers up to 200cc. You need Class 2A for 201 to 400cc, which you can take after a year on 2B.
How much is the motorcycle COE now?
Category D closed at S$11,012 on 7 October 2026. Results change every bidding round; check LTA’s OneMotoring for the latest.
Do electric motorcycles need a different licence?
Same classes, measured by motor power instead of cc: up to 15kW for 2B, 15.1 to 25kW for 2A, above 25kW for Class 2.
How often must a motorcycle be inspected?
No inspection is needed in the first three years. After that, every year.
Sources: Singapore Police Force, driving licence classes; Singapore Safety Driving Centre, motorcycle course fees from 1 July 2026; Land Transport Authority, COE bidding results; Land Transport Authority, motorcycle road tax structure; Land Transport Authority, vehicle inspection; Singpromos, 7 October 2026 COE results; Torque, motorcycle ARF tiers. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: COE Explained: The Categories, the Bidding and Why Prices Move · Road Tax in Singapore: How It’s Calculated · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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