Vampire Car get more Sunshine under new OPC scheme

From January 25, 2010, motorists will enjoy more perks with the launch of the revised Off-Peak Car (OPC) scheme. Drivers can look forward to more driving hours together with cash rebates for conversion of normal cars to the revised scheme. The changes will serve to support the Land Transport Authority's overall objective to better manage congestion during peak periods. I don't really think so. Nowadays, there are more OPC roaming the road as compared to it first launch. Where's the cut?

Under the new scheme, all newly registered OPCs and normal cars converted to the revised scheme, on or after January 25, will enjoy unrestricted usage on Saturdays and the eves of 5 public holidays - New Year, Lunar New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Christmas.

The changes in usage restrictions will however be accompanied by corresponding adjustments to the tax concessions. The annual road tax discount will be reduced from $800 to $500 under the revised OPC scheme, and the minimum annual road tax will be $70, instead of the current $50. This translates to existing OPC owners having their annual road tax discounts reduced by between $20 and $300, should they opt for the revised OPC scheme. Existing users can make the conversion on, or after Jan 25, with a one-time $100 administrative fee and applicable road tax top-up

Vehicle owners who register a new car as an OPC under the revised OPC scheme will continue to enjoy an up-front tax rebate of up to $17,000. Those who choose to remain in the old OPC scheme may purchase an electronic day licence to enjoy the new driving perks on Saturdays and on the eve of the five public holidays.

Owners of normal cars and converted OPCs under the existing OPC scheme who opt into the revised OPC scheme will enjoy a cash rebate of up to $1,100 for every 6 months the car is registered as an OPC, until the car reaches 10 years old. The car must be kept as an OPC for at least 6 months after its conversion, except in cases of deregistration or when the OPC reaches the age of 10 years, to enjoy the cash rebate. Under the existing OPC scheme, this rebate of $2,200 per year is paid as a lump-sum only at the point when the car is deregistered and is still PARF-eligible.

Information on the cash rebate for conversion of a normal car to an OPC is available via www.onemotoring.com.sg from 25 January 2010, under LTA e-Services > Online Enquiries > OPC/WEC Conversion fees.