In conjunction with the upcoming December school holidays, the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) operating hours will end earlier at 12.00 noon on weekdays, from 21 November to 30 December 2005.

This is part of an on-going initiative to attract foreign visitors to Singapore, especially during the school holidays. The shorter VEP operating hours will also apply for subsequent June and December school holiday periods in Singapore.

The VEP Scheme was introduced in 1973 to regulate the entry of foreign-registered cars into Singapore. This scheme was eventually extended to foreign-registered motorcycles in 1992.

Foreign-registered cars and motorcycles are currently allowed free entry into Singapore on weekdays from 5.00 pm to 2.00 am the following day, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Singapore Public Holidays. The existing VEP fee is S$20 a day for cars and S$4 a day for motorcycles.

In addition, under the 10-VEP free days scheme, drivers of foreign-registered cars and motorcycles can drive into Singapore without paying any VEP fees for a maximum of 10 days per calendar year.

VEP fees for the subsequent days are still chargeable if drivers of foreign-registered cars and motorcycles continue to use or drive their vehicles in Singapore during the VEP operating hours, after they have fully utilised the 10 VEP-free days within the same calendar year. The normal toll charges for foreign-registered vehicles will also apply.