Private Ownership of Pickup/Lorry

Kurayamino

16 Oct 12, 20:51

Everyone I've asked so far has told me that pickups/lorrys are classified as commercial vehicles and can only be owned by companies. Can somebody verify this?

I've looked at the LTA website, and it does not mention anything about private ownership of goods vehicles. I checked the Road Traffic Act and also can't find anything about restrictions on ownership. If I'm not mistaken, I've seen vehicles like Kangoos on the road with private plates before. Is this just an urban myth or something?

cephasteo

27 Oct 12, 06:32

Hi Kuramino, You may call LTA Customer Service Hotline: 1800-2255582 or 62255582 for clarification.

jumpmanz

27 Dec 12, 12:39

yes, only to companies. when you register with LTA, you need a company chop to process your purchase too.

ditzy

27 Dec 12, 12:54

So I can't buy a land rover defender without a company chop.

intelligenceman

10 Jan 13, 03:03

There're basically 4 types of commercial vehicles.

G plate - Light goods vehicle, Goods + Passenger vehicle (double-cab pickup)

Requires company registration to own. Goods + passenger vehicles have to pay 2x road tax (goods vehicle + pax vehicle), that's why its unpopular.

For Land Rover Defender, if you its a 4-door version register under G-plate, will be considered as goods + pax vehicle.

Y plate - only for lorries or very big vans, can register with company or personal name
X plate - very heavy vehicle, can register with company or personal name
W plate - Engineering/Plant vehicle, if the vehicle only carries special equipment used for industry

In short, two ways to register a Defender,

G-plate as commercial vehicle and pay $500 lights goods vehicle (LGV) road tax, under company name.
Private car (but defender is diesel powered, need to pay additional diesel tax; quite expensive).

Defender itself is expensive already, due to UK exchange rate + tax, that's why its rich men's toy.....unless you're very rich. Maintenance, repair and parts also very expensive, that's why even SAF decided to just change to civilian type Ford Everest - use and scrap also cheaper than maintain Land Rovers.