Manner and conditions of carrying out an examination and apparatus to be used
Part I
General
1. In this Schedule, unless the context otherwise requires —
“audible warning instrument’s requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (k) of the First Schedule;
“bodywork and suspension’s requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraphs (l) and (la) of the First Schedule;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
“braking requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (a) of the First Schedule;
“CNG system requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (m) of the First Schedule;
[S 520/2008 wef 20/10/2008]
“device to observe blind spots requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (t) of the First Schedule;
[S 102/2015 wef 01/04/2015]
“direction indicator’s requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (h) of the First Schedule;
“examiner” means the person carrying out or personally supervising the examination of a motor vehicle;
“height warning system’s requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (ka) of the First Schedule;
[S 549/2017 wef 01/10/2017]
[Deleted by S 891/2014 wef 01/01/2015]
“index mark and identification mark requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (o) of the First Schedule;
[S 891/2014 wef 01/01/2015]
“lights’ requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (d) of the First Schedule;
“lighting requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (c) of the First Schedule;
“marking requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraphs (p), (q), (r) and (u) of the First Schedule;
[S 364/2017 wef 01/07/2017]
[Deleted by S 102/2015 wef 01/04/2015]
“mirror requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (s) of the First Schedule;
[S 102/2015 wef 01/04/2015]
“rear marking and side marking requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (r) of the First Schedule;
[S 891/2014 wef 01/01/2015]
“seat belt’s requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (g) of the First Schedule;
“speed warning device requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (v) of the First Schedule;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
“steering requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (b) of the First Schedule;
“tyre requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraphs (e) and (f) of the First Schedule;
“windscreen’s requirements” means the prescribed statutory requirements specified in paragraph (i) of the First Schedule.
2.—(1) In an examination of a motor vehicle in accordance with this Schedule, all parts of the vehicle and its equipment and accessories shall be examined under a sufficient light and, where it is necessary to do so to enable such parts, equipment or accessories to be efficiently examined, the vehicle shall be placed over an inspection pit or elevated on a hoist or ramp.
(2) For the purposes of the examination, there shall be no dismantling of the vehicle or any part thereof by the use of tools.
2A. An authorised examiner must ensure that the examination of every vehicle is carried out with due diligence and in adherence to the following procedures:
(a)
subject to sub‑paragraph (b), only an inspector rostered to a vehicle test lane may carry out the examination of a vehicle assigned to that test lane;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
(b)
an inspector must not examine a vehicle which was not assigned to the inspector’s vehicle test lane unless the manager or the chief inspector approved the re‑assignment of the vehicle to that test lane;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
(c)
the manager or the chief inspector (as the case may be) must keep a written record of the reasons for approving the re‑assignment of a vehicle, or the re‑rostering of an inspector, to another test lane;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
(d)
before starting an examination, an inspector conducting the examination must —
(i)
scan the inspector’s staff card on the computerised card reader described in paragraph 4(b) of the Fourth Schedule and ensure that the inspector’s name and staff identification number have been recorded;
(ii)
where the vehicle is not a motor cycle, ensure that the vehicle’s in‑vehicle unit number is recorded by the in‑vehicle unit reader described in paragraph 5(b) of the Fourth Schedule; and
(iii)
enter into the computerised system described in paragraph 4(c) of the Fourth Schedule, the last 4 digits of the chassis body number stamped on the vehicle and ensure that the chassis body number of the vehicle the inspector has entered matches the chassis body number in the computerised system.
[S 891/2014 wef 01/01/2015]
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
Part II
Braking Requirements
3. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the braking requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
4. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
the braking systems are in good mechanical condition;
(b)
the braking systems are properly adjusted to operate in accordance with the braking requirements;
(c)
there is any such lack of balance in the application of the brakes to the wheels as to cause, or to be likely to cause, serious deviation of the vehicle from its course when being driven on a road; and
(d)
there is any evident defect in the vehicle or its equipment by reason of which any of the braking requirements is not being complied with.
5.—(1) The examination of the braking systems of the vehicle shall include a test of the braking efficiency of its brakes to ascertain whether they have the braking efficiency required by the braking requirements (referred to in this Part as the requisite braking efficiency).
(2) A test of the braking efficiency of the brakes of the vehicle shall be carried out —
(a)
by placing the vehicle on any suitable brake testing apparatus and using it to measure the braking force which is developed when the brakes are applied and determining by expressing that force when expressed as a percentage of the weight of the vehicle (including any person or load carried in the vehicle at the time) whether the brakes have the requisite braking efficiency; and
(b)
when the brake testing apparatus is not working properly, by applying the brakes when the vehicle is being driven on a road or any other suitable place, and by using a suitable decelerometer to measure and determine whether the brakes have the requisite braking efficiency.
(3) Where a motor vehicle has at least 4 wheels and 2 means of operating its brakes, and —
(a)
each means of operation applies brakes to at least 4 wheels, the brakes as applied by one of the means shall have a total braking efficiency of not less than 50% and the brakes as applied by the other means shall have a braking efficiency of not less than 20%; or
(b)
only one of the means of operation applies brakes to at least 4 wheels, the brakes as applied by that means shall have a total braking efficiency of not less than 50% and the brakes as applied by the other means shall have a braking efficiency of not less than 20%.
(4) The difference between the braking forces of the right and left wheels of each axle shall not be more than 8% of the axle weight.
(5) Where a motor vehicle has less than 4 wheels and only 2 means of operating its brakes, the brakes as applied by any one of the means shall have a total braking efficiency of not less than 50%.
(6) A test of the brakes of a vehicle under this paragraph may, if the examiner thinks fit, be supplemented by a further test of the vehicle being driven on a road or any other suitable place and by its brakes being applied while it is being so driven for the purpose of determining, by observation of the effects of such application, whether all the braking requirements are complied with.
(7) In this paragraph —
(a)
any reference to the brakes of a vehicle being applied shall be a reference to its brakes being applied by the means of operation provided for that purpose and, where a vehicle has more than one means of operation, is a reference to its brakes being applied separately by each of those means;
(b)
“brake testing apparatus” means any apparatus designed and constructed to measure the braking force developed when the brakes of a motor vehicle are applied; and
(c)
“decelerometer” means an apparatus designed and constructed to measure the braking efficiency of the brakes of a motor vehicle when those brakes are applied while the vehicle is being driven.
Part III
Steering Requirements
6. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the steering requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
7. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
the steering system is in good mechanical condition;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
(b)
the steering system is properly adjusted to operate as intended by its design;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
(c)
the front wheels are properly adjusted; and
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
(d)
there is any defect in the vehicle or its equipment by reason of which any of the steering requirements is not being complied with.
Part IV
Lighting and Lights’ Requirements
8. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the lighting requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
9. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
it is equipped with lamps and reflectors which comply with the lighting requirements as respects their number and the positions in which they are attached to the vehicle;
(b)
the lamps and reflectors are in a clean and efficient condition; and
(c)
the vehicle is so equipped that the lamps can be used to show a white light to the front or a red light to the rear visible from a reasonable distance, so as to comply with the lighting requirements.
10.—(1) Where the vehicle is one to which the lighting requirements relating to a vehicle provided with a head lamp apply, the vehicle shall be examined under this paragraph to ascertain whether those requirements are complied with.
(2) An examination under this paragraph shall be carried out to determine whether the beam of light emitted from each of the head lamps when the vehicle is being driven on a road during the hours of darkness —
(a)
is or can be so deflected that it is incapable of causing any dazzle; or
(b)
can be extinguished by the operation of a device which at the same time causes —
(i)
a beam of light to be emitted from that lamp;
(ii)
deflects the beam of light from another lamp; or
(iii)
another lamp to emit a beam of light,
in such a manner that the beam of light so emitted or deflected cannot cause any dazzle.
(3) For the purpose of the examination of a head lamp under sub-paragraph (2), the direction of the beam of light which would be emitted from that lamp if it were to be used to show a light to the front in the circumstances specified in the sub-paragraph shall be tested by ascertaining what the direction of the beam of light emitted therefrom is in relation to the vehicle by using any apparatus designed and constructed for the purpose of ascertaining within reasonable limits of precision the direction of the beam of light emitted from such lamp.
11. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the lights’ requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
12. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
it is equipped with lights which comply with the lights’ requirements as respects their number and the positions in which they are attached to the vehicle;
(b)
the lamps are in a clean and efficient condition; and
(c)
the vehicle is so equipped that the lamps show a steady red light when the brakes which operate the lamps are applied, and, where more than one such lamp is fitted, that the light is emitted by at least the rear left and rear right lamps at the same time.
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
Part V
Tyre Requirements
13. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the tyre requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
14. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether its tyres comply with the tyre requirements and in particular to ascertain whether —
(a)
except in the case of a heavy motor car, any tyre is a recut pneumatic tyre;
(b)
any tyre is unsuitable having regard to the types of tyres fitted to its other wheels;
(c)
any cross-ply tyre is fitted on its rear axle and a radial-ply tyre is fitted on its front axle;
(d)
any tyre has a break in its fabric, or has a cut in excess of 25 millimetres or 10% of the sectional width of the tyre, whichever is the greater, measured in any direction on the outside of the tyre and deep enough to reach the body cords of the tyre;
(e)
any tyre has any lump or bulge (caused by a separation or partial failure of its structure) or any exposure of the ply or cord structure;
(f)
the tread pattern (excluding any tie bar) of each tyre has a depth of at least one millimetre throughout at least three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre; and
(g)
there is any other defect in any tyre or wheel by reason of which any of the tyre requirements is not being complied with.
Part VI
Seat Belt’s Requirements
15. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the seat belt’s requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
16. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
it is provided with the seat belts that are in a good and efficient condition;
(b)
the seat belts are securely attached to the seat for which they are provided or to the structure of the vehicle; and
(c)
the anchorage points for the seat belts are in a good and efficient condition.
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
Part VII
Direction Indicator’s Requirements
17. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the direction indicator’s requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
18. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
it is equipped with direction indicators which comply with the direction indicator’s requirements as respects their number, type and the position in which they are attached to the vehicle;
(b)
the indicators are in a clean and efficient condition;
(c)
in the case of a vehicle registered after 1st January 1975, the colour of every direction indicator is amber;
(d)
in the case of a vehicle registered on or prior to 1st January 1975, the colour of each of the indicators —
(i)
if it shows a light at both the front and the rear, is amber;
(ii)
if it shows a light only to the front, is amber or white; and
(iii)
if it shows a light only to the rear, is amber or red;
(e)
each of the indicators is visible from a reasonable distance;
(f)
where the vehicle is fitted with electrical lighting equipment, each of the indicators shows a steady or flashing light;
(g)
where the indicators are equipped to show a flashing light, the rate of such flashing is not less than 60 or more than 120 flashes per minute; and
(h)
the vehicle is so equipped that the driver in his seat is readily aware that a direction indicator is in operation.
Part VIII
Windscreen’s Requirements
19. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the windscreen’s requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
20. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
the windscreen wiper or wipers which are required to be fitted are in a good and efficient condition and capable of clearing the windscreen so that the driver has an adequate view of the road in front of the near and off sides of the vehicle and to the front of the vehicle; and
(b)
the vehicle is equipped with any windscreen washer or washers in a good and efficient condition and capable of clearing, in conjunction with the windscreen wiper or wipers, the area of the windscreen swept by the wiper or wipers.
Part IX
[Deleted by S 891/2014 wef 01/01/2015]
Part X
Audible Warning Instrument’s Requirements
23. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the audible warning instrument’s requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
24. The vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether it is equipped with an instrument capable of giving an audible and sufficient warning of its approach or position.
Part XA
Height Warning System’s Requirements
24A. The examination of a vehicle to ascertain whether its height warning system’s requirements are complied with must be carried out in accordance with this Part.
24B. The vehicle must be examined to ascertain whether it is fitted with a height warning system capable of giving audible and sufficient warning to the driver when the crane of the vehicle is extended to a height which causes the overall height of the vehicle to exceed the stowed height of the vehicle.
24C. The authorised examiner may consider any document or information provided under rule 7(2B) of these Rules in support of any examination under this Part.
24D. The authorised examiner may accept, in lieu of an examination under this Part, a valid certificate mentioned in rule 7(2B)(a) of these Rules that is issued by the person mentioned in rule 7(2B)(a)(i) of these Rules.
24E. In this Part, “crane”, “overall height”, “stowed height” and “vehicle” have the same meanings as in rule 24A(5) of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules (R 9).
[S 549/2017 wef 01/10/2017]
Part XI
Bodywork and Suspension’s Requirements
25. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the bodywork and suspension’s requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
26. The vehicle must be examined to ascertain —
(a)
whether any part of its bodywork or suspension is so affected by rust, or has otherwise been so damaged, that the proper functioning of the braking system or steering system of the vehicle is likely to be prejudicially affected by reason thereof; and
(b)
where the vehicle is a goods vehicle mentioned in paragraph 26A or 26B, the vehicle is fitted with protective railings that are —
(i)
of a height specified in that paragraph;
(ii)
along the whole length of the side-boards on both sides of the vehicle;
(iii)
constructed of metal or timber; and
(iv)
securely and rigidly attached to the vehicle.
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
26A. Where the vehicle is a goods vehicle —
(a)
that has an open deck for the carriage of goods and a maximum laden weight of not more than 3,000 kilograms and that is registered using a certificate of entitlement before 1 April 1998; or
(b)
that has an open deck for the carriage of goods and a maximum laden weight of not more than 3,500 kilograms and that is registered using a certificate of entitlement on or after 1 April 1998,
the protective railings must be a height of not less than 550 millimetres from the floor of the vehicle and not less than 150 millimetres from the top of the side-boards.
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
26B. Where the vehicle is a goods vehicle —
(a)
that has an open deck for the carriage of goods, is registered on or after 1 January 2010 and is to be used to carry any person on the floor of the vehicle;
(b)
that has an open deck for the carriage of goods, a maximum laden weight not exceeding 3,500 kilograms, is registered before 1 January 2010, and is to be used to carry any person on the floor of the vehicle on or after 1 February 2011; or
(c)
that has an open deck for the carriage of goods, a maximum laden weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms, is registered before 1 January 2010, and is to be used to carry any person on the floor of the vehicle on or after 1 August 2011,
the protective railings must be a height of not less than 700 millimetres from the floor of the vehicle and not less than 300 millimetres from the top of the side-boards.
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
27. The examination shall be a visual examination of the vehicle and in particular of its underside, but there shall not be any dismantling of the vehicle or any part thereof.
Part XII
CNG System Requirements
28. The examination of a CNG vehicle to ascertain whether the CNG system requirements are complied with shall be carried out in accordance with this Part.
29. The CNG vehicle shall be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
the CNG identification markings and CNG system information marking (unless the CNG system information marking is peeled off or faded) comply with the CNG system requirements in so far as they relate to such markings;
[S 446/2022 wef 01/06/2022]
(b)
the components of the CNG system and the mounting thereof are in a good and effective condition; and
(c)
there is any leakage in the CNG system.
[S 520/2008 wef 20/10/2008]
Part XIII
Index Mark and Identification Mark Requirements
30. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the vehicle complies with the index mark and identification mark requirements must be carried out in accordance with this Part.
31. The vehicle must be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
the identification mark on the vehicle contains an index mark and a registration number assigned to the vehicle under rule 14 of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules (R 5);
(b)
the identification mark on the vehicle complies with the index mark and identification mark requirements in relation to its letters, figures, size, colour and number, and the position in which it is fixed upon the vehicle;
(c)
every letter and figure in the identification mark is easily distinguishable and is not obscured; and
(d)
where the identification mark on the vehicle is affixed with a seal, the seal is not removed, broken or tampered with.
[S 891/2014 wef 01/01/2015]
Part XIV
Marking Requirements
32. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the vehicle complies with the marking requirements must be carried out in accordance with this Part.
33. The vehicle must be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
it bears every marking which is applicable to it;
(b)
each marking on the vehicle complies with the applicable marking requirements as respects its letters, figures, size, colour, type and number, and the position in which it is displayed on or fixed upon the vehicle;
(c)
every marking is clean and is not obscured;
(d)
where the vehicle bears a marking relating to the maximum speed of the vehicle, the marking shows the correct vehicle speed limit;
(e)
where the vehicle is a goods vehicle and bears a marking or label on the passenger capacity of the vehicle, the marking or label shows the correct passenger capacity;
(f)
where the vehicle is a light goods vehicle or small bus, the markings required to be displayed on both sides of the vehicle are legible and contains accurate information;
[S 364/2017 wef 01/07/2017]
(g)
where the vehicle is a long vehicle, each rear marking or side marking required to be displayed on the vehicle complies with the applicable rear marking or side marking requirements in relation to its approval mark, number, size, colour, type and material specifications, and the position in which it is fitted on the vehicle; and
[S 891/2014 wef 01/01/2015]
[S 364/2017 wef 01/07/2017]
(h)
where the vehicle is a chauffeured private hire car, each decalcomania containing a chauffeured private hire car marking required to be affixed on the vehicle is not altered, defaced, covered or obscured or is not discoloured by fading or otherwise.
[S 364/2017 wef 01/07/2017]
Part XV
Mirror Requirements
34. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the mirror requirements are complied with must be carried out in accordance with this Part.
35. The vehicle must be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
each required mirror is in good mechanical condition;
(b)
each required mirror is properly positioned and adjusted to operate as intended by the design of the mirror; and
(c)
there is any defect in the vehicle or its equipment by reason of which any of the mirror requirements is not complied with.
[S 102/2015 wef 01/04/2015]
Part XVI
Device to Observe Blind Spots Requirements
36. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the device to observe blind spots requirements are complied with must be carried out in accordance with this Part.
37. The vehicle must be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
the device to observe blind spots is in good mechanical condition;
(b)
the device to observe blind spots is properly positioned and adjusted to operate as intended by its design; and
(c)
there is any defect in the vehicle or its equipment by reason of which any of the device to observe blind spots requirements is not complied with.
[S 102/2015 wef 01/04/2015]
Part XVII
Speed Warning Device Requirements
38. The examination of a motor vehicle to ascertain whether the speed warning device requirements are complied with must be carried out in accordance with this Part.
39. The vehicle must be examined to ascertain whether the speed warning device requirements are complied with if it is a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight of —
(a)
not more than 3.0 metric tons, if it is registered using a certificate of entitlement issued before 1 April 1998; or
(b)
not more than 3.5 metric tons, if it is registered using a certificate of entitlement issued on or after 1 April 1998,
unless the vehicle is a trivan or a motor cycle with a sidecar attached to the motor cycle.
40. A goods vehicle described in paragraph 39 must be examined to ascertain whether —
(a)
the lamp and buzzer of the speed warning device are positioned in front of the driver and in working condition;
(b)
the speed warning device (including a seal on the speed warning device) has been tampered with; and
(c)
where the speed warning device includes an amber lamp mounted on the roof of the vehicle, the amber lamp is in working condition.