The roll out of the new On-Board Unit (OBU) system by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been put into place to replace the existing In-vehicle Unit (IU) in preparations for the shift to the new ERP 2.0 system, and eligible vehicle owners have been contacted in phases by the LTA for installation since the end of 2023. The replacement is part of Singapore’s ongoing effort to enhance road and traffic management, to enable more advanced traffic monitoring and support future digital services.
Those who have been contacted can register their vehicles for installation here within 2 months from the message to waive installation fees.
Who is eligible for OBU Installation?
The wide majority of Singapore registered vehicles are eligible for OBU installation, and this has begun with fleet vehicles in November 2023, moving on to individual vehicles based on their registration timeline and the age. Vehicle owners will be notified by the LTA when it is their turn for installation.
Exemptions:
Some vehicles may be exempt from the mandatory OBU installation, depending on their status and remaining lifespan:
Vehicles Due for Mandatory De-registration: Vehicles that are already scheduled for mandatory de-registration, such as those on a short-term COE (eg: 5-year COE).
Certain Special Vehicles: Depending on specific use cases or classifications, some special vehicles may also be exempt. Generally, the LTA will notify vehicle owners if they fall under this category. (eg: classic/ vintage vehicles, vehicles that are not allowed to travel on public roads, and those on a restricted use scheme)
Vehicle owners in these categories are typically informed directly by the LTA about their exemption status. If you're unsure about your vehicle's eligibility, it's best to confirm directly with the LTA.
The Installation Process
Once you have been contacted by the LTA for your installation, you may head onto the STA website to make an appointment with a workshop. Do this within your 2 months eligibility window, to avoid paying $35 for motorcycles and $70 for vehicles in installation fees.
3 components that make up the OBU will be installed, the Antenna Unit, Processing Unit and Touchscreen Display.
Pictured L to R: the Antenna Unit, Touchscreen Display and Processing Unit
Antenna Unit: Communicates with the satellite system and car park gantries. It is usually mounted on the windscreen and serves as the key link between the vehicle and the external traffic management systems.
Processing Unit: Responsible for processing all payment-related transactions, it facilitates the insertion of the CEPAS card. By default, it is mounted at the side of the front passenger footwell.
Touchscreen Display (Optional): This screen notifies drivers about ERP and parking payments, and displays card balance information. It is mounted on the glass windscreen, in front of the antenna, for easy viewing by the driver. In addition to payment notifications, it provides road safety information such as the locations of nearby school zones, Silver Zones, bus lanes, and speed cameras.
Options for Installation
While the Antenna Unit and Processing Unit (which together form the core OBU system) must be installed, the Touchscreen Display is optional. Vehicle owners who opt not to install the Touchscreen Display initially can access select functions through mobile applications by registering their phone on One-motoring Digital Services and pairing their phone with the OBU via bluetooth. More information on this can be found here for Android users and for IOS users.
It is encouraged to install all 3 components at the same time, as should you choose to have the Touchscreen Display installed later, you will need to bear the cost of the installation.
Installation Locations for Each Component
Antenna Unit: This must be installed at a designated position on the front windscreen to ensure proper communication with external systems.
Processing Unit: Vehicle owners can choose the installation position, typically at the front passenger footwell or on any technically feasible position within the driver’s area if they want it to be accessible. If not, under the glove box or drivers’ seat are possible positions as well.
Touchscreen Display: As an optional component, the touchscreen can be mounted on the glass windscreen, in front of the antenna.
With the rollout of the new OBU system, Singapore makes a significant step forward towards smarter, more efficient transportation. If you are a vehicle owner in Singapore, keep an eye out for notifications from the LTA regarding your eligibility and installation schedule.
For an efficient and reliable installation, book your appointment with AutoSprint, a fully fledged modern vehicle workshop that has years of experience in servicing and repair works for cars of all origin.
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