Settle vehicle ownership

Find out how to transfer ownership of a vehicle after the owner passes away.

Overview

Before managing the deceased’s vehicle, you must obtain the legal right to do so. The executor must have a Grant of Probate, and an administrator must have a Letter of Administration.

As the executor or administrator, you may apply for transfer of vehicle ownership with the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The beneficiaries may choose to:

  • take over and continue to drive or keep the vehicle

  • sell the vehicle

  • deregister and dispose of the vehicle

Transferring vehicle ownership

The executor or administrator may transfer the vehicle to:

  • their own name

  • a beneficiary

  • a third party (for example: buyer, motor dealer)

They’ll have to submit:

  • the original or certified true copy of the Grant of Probate with a copy of the will, or the Letters of Administration

  • the original motor insurance certificate in the new owner’s name, covering the full period of the vehicle’s road tax

A $25 transfer fee applies.

If a solicitor is in the midst of applying for the Grant of Letters of Administration or Grant of Probate, the executor or administrator may submit the following documents to LTA:

  • An undertaking letter from the solicitor stating that a copy of the Grant of Letters of Administration or Grant of Probate will be sent to LTA once it is obtained from the Singapore Court

  • A certified copy of Ex Parte Originating Summons for Grant of Letters of Administration or Probate granted by the Singapore Court in the Estate of the Deceased

  • A letter from the administrator or executor, witnessed by the solicitor, stating that the administrator or executor indemnifies LTA against any claims in connection with the transfer of the vehicle’s ownership

If the vehicle is under hire-purchase, all outstanding financial matters should be settled with the hire-purchase company before submitting a transfer application.

If the Public Trustee is assisting in the administration of the estate, they will apply to LTA to transfer the vehicle.

Apply to transfer vehicle of deceased owner

Vehicle ownership transfer timeline

LTA will review the application within 5 working days.

Upon approval, the new vehicle owner will be notified via SMS to log in using their Singpass to confirm the vehicle transfer, which has to be confirmed within 5 calendar days.

The new vehicle owner must have a motor insurance policy in their name that:

  • takes effect on the day that the transfer is accepted

  • covers the full period of the vehicle's valid road tax

Getting help

You may want to learn more about:

If you have further questions, reach out to LTA for assistance.