SINGAPORE — From May 1, all newly registered vehicles will be prefitted with new on-board units (OBUs), while existing motorcycle users will be notified to install OBUs from June 1 onwards, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Thursday (March 28).
The OBU installation exercise for all other existing vehicles will begin in the second half of 2024.
LTA said authorised motor distributors and dealers will speak with prospective buyers on finalising their installation options, such as the placement of the processing unit and whether to install the touchscreen display.
The OBUs are part of the refreshed Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, known as ERP 2.0.
Based on the new global navigation satellite system, it will soon remove the need for bulky gantries on roads, while providing more accurate data to improve congestion management and transport planning.
The first phase of installation in fleet vehicles started last November, and over 13,000 vehicles have been fitted with the units. Installation for new motorcycles began on Feb 13.
LTA added that it has also made refinements to address feedback from early adopters.
Here are three things motorists should know about the latest update:
WHEN CAN YOU INSTALL THE OBU IF YOU HAVE OR PLAN TO BUY A CAR?
If you buy a new car and register it on or after May 1, you do not have to install the OBU yourself — your vehicle should be prefitted with the new unit.
As for existing owners, you will receive a notification of installation sometime in the second half of this year.
The installation fee is S$70, but it is free if it is completed within the first two months of the notification date. LTA will provide more details about this in due course.
The OBU replaces the current in-vehicle unit (IU) and comprises three components: a processing unit, an antenna, and a touchscreen display.
Motorists can choose to have all three components installed, which would allow them to access the full suite of functionalities.
But they can also opt out of the touchscreen display and receive key information by downloading a mobile application.
The installation duration depends on the make, model, and condition of the vehicle, as well as the selected workshop. For most vehicles, it will take around three hours.
