Yes, you can legally purchase a car in Singapore without a driver's license. Ownership and the legal right to drive are separate matters. However, you cannot legally drive the car on public roads without a valid license. The key is arranging for a licensed driver to handle the vehicle's registration, insurance, and transportation.
The process involves several critical steps governed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). First, you can buy the car from a dealer or through a private sale. The dealer will handle much of the paperwork. The most significant hurdle is insurance. You must secure at least third-party liability insurance before the vehicle can be registered. Since you are not a licensed driver, insurance companies may view you as a higher risk, potentially leading to higher premiums or even refusal. You may need to list a licensed primary driver on the policy.
Once insured, the vehicle is registered in your name with the LTA. You will receive a vehicle registration card, but you will not be issued a license plate until the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) and Certificate of Entitlement (COE) are paid. From this point, the car must be stored on private property (like a garage) or driven exclusively by a licensed individual. You cannot operate it yourself.
| Scenario | Legality | Key Considerations |
|---|
| Purchasing the Car | Legal | Ownership is permitted without a license. |
| Registering the Car | Legal | Requires insurance, which may be difficult to obtain. |
| Driving the Car | Illegal | Strictly prohibited without a valid license. |
| Parking on Public Roads | Legal only if taxed/registered | The car must display a valid road tax disc, which requires insurance. |
| Parking on Private Property | Legal | The car can be kept indefinitely on private land without road tax. |
Common reasons for this situation include purchasing a car as a gift for a licensed family member, buying for a future date when you expect to get a license, or as a collector's item. The primary takeaway is that while buying is straightforward, the ongoing costs and legal restrictions of ownership without a license make it a complex and often impractical endeavor.
