This is because the road transport ecosystem of Singapore is undergoing a digital-first transformation as February 2026 approaches. There are a few major legislative amendments, which have been undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to the Road Traffic Act. These modifications do not only involve new regulations but change of direction to automated enforcement and simplification of administration. Be it a veteran driver or a new learner the changes that will be witnessed this month will be an indication of a stricter control on road safety and a major move towards complete adoption of ERP 2.0 system.
Digital Medical Reports (HMER) Senior
The nearest change, which will take effect on February 2, 2026, is the introduction of the Harmonised Medical Examination Report (HMER). The most affected group is that of elderly drivers (65 years and above) and Vocational licence (VL) holders. In the past, drivers were required to attach the scanned reports of their medical fitness manually to the LTA or Traffic Police portals. In the new system, doctors are currently filing these results using digital format on behalf of the patient. This gets rid of paperwork and guarantees the authorities real-time updates. Although there is a six-month transition period, up to July 31, 2026, with physical forms still welcomed, the digital direction has become the standard of choice.
New Heavy Vehicle “Auto-Only” Licences
The Traffic Police has also added new sub-classes of licences (e.g., Class 4P, 5P and 4AP) reflecting the move in the industry to use modern vehicle fleets. They are specifically in the case of heavy automotive vehicles. The modification enables the drivers to be licensed to drive a heavy goods vehicle or a bus without the need to familiarize him or herself with a manual gearbox which was before a major challenge. The reason behind this move is to manage the driver shortage experienced in the logistics sector by reducing the barrier to entry of those who drive modern and automatic heavy vehicles. Nonetheless, the drivers with such auto-only licences are forbidden to drive the trucks with manual transmission.
Tougher Penalties on Speeding and the 3-Second rule
In Basic and Final Theory Handbooks of 2026, safety standards have been rescaled. Safe following distance has had a long-established rule, the 2-second rule being officially retired. New drivers are now examined regarding the 3-second rule of good weather and 6-second rule of wet roads to allow them to have more reactionary space. In tandem with this, the fines of speeding have been increased. Any violation of the speed limit by only 20km/h now results in 6 demerit points (an increase in the old 4) and exceeding the speed limit by more than 50km/h will result in an automatic 24 point deduction and courts will impose an automatic suspension of the licence and as such a mandatory attendance.
ERP 2.0 and Mandatory OBU Reminders
Although the complete transition to the satellite-based ERP 2.0 will be completed by January 2027, February 15, 2026 is a very important date by which the installation should be completed. Those vehicle owners, who were invited to install the new On-Board Unit (OBU), but have not necessarily done so, will receive their last reminder during this month. A three-month window where the installation is free begins as of the date of this reminder to the motorists. Owners will receive an installation fee (motorcycles will be charged $35, other vehicles will receive 70). Another advantage is that the LTA has also stated that since this year, missed ERP payments will finally be decriminalized and treated as an administrative violation and not as a traffic offense, albeit with a late fee of 10.
Feb 2026 Singapore Motoring Data
| Regulation Change | Group Affected | Key Deadline / Penalty |
| Digital HMER Launch | Drivers 65+ & VL Holders | Started Feb 2, 2026 |
| 3-Second Rule | All New Learners | Now in Theory Tests |
| ERP 2.0 Final Reminders | OBU-pending vehicles | Feb 15 (3-month free window) |
| High-Speed Offenses | Speeding 50km/h+ | 24 Demerit Points (Auto-Ban) |
FAQs
1. Should I mail my medical report still to the LTA?
No. Since February 2, your physician provides the HMER online. An SMS confirmation will be sent when the submission is made.
2. What will become of me when I disregard the ERP 2.0 final reminder?
There are three months in which you can install it at no charge. Failing to do this in time will mean paying an installation fee (35 70) and you will not be able to renew your road tax after January 2027.
3. Can the 3-second rule be violated in a court of law?
Although this is mainly a safety rule when doing theory tests, the inability to keep a safe distance in the event of a road accident can be counted as evidence of driving without due care, which comes with massive fines and points.
Disclaimer
The information will be informational. You may consult the official sources at OneMotoring and the Singapore Police Force; we are meant to serve all the users with correct information.