Every new car in Singapore needs a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) before it can be registered. COEs are split into categories. The category decides which bidding pool a car goes into, and so which premium applies. This guide explains what each category covers and how a car lands in one. It also shows how the last few rounds compare. All premiums quoted here come from LTA's results as shown on our COE page, read on 23 October 2026.
What is a COE category?
A COE category is a group of vehicles that bid for the same pool of certificates. LTA runs COE bidding twice a month. Each round has a separate quota and a separate closing premium for each category.
This means two cars bought in the same week can face different COE premiums. It depends on which category each car falls into.
What are the five COE categories?
There are five categories:
- Category A: cars up to 1,600cc and 97kW (130bhp). Fully electric cars up to 110kW (147bhp).
- Category B: cars above 1,600cc or 97kW (130bhp). Fully electric cars above 110kW (147bhp).
- Category C: goods vehicles and buses.
- Category D: motorcycles.
- Category E: open. Any vehicle except motorcycles.
If you are buying a car, you will deal with Category A, Category B or Category E. Categories C and D cover other vehicle types.
How do engine size and power decide between Category A and B?
Two numbers matter: engine capacity, measured in cc, and maximum power, measured in kW.
Cars with an engine
A car goes into Category A only if it meets both limits:
- engine capacity up to 1,600cc, and
- power up to 97kW (130bhp).
If a car goes over either limit, it is in Category B. So a car with a small engine can still be Category B if its power is above 97kW. A car under 97kW but above 1,600cc is also Category B.
Fully electric cars
A fully electric car has no engine capacity in cc. Only its power counts:
- up to 110kW (147bhp): Category A
- above 110kW (147bhp): Category B
The power limit for fully electric cars is higher than the limit for cars with an engine.
Hybrids and other cases
The definitions above do not spell out how hybrid power is counted. If you are looking at a hybrid, or a car close to a limit, check its category on LTA's OneMotoring site before you commit.
What is Category E for?
Category E is the open category. It covers any vehicle except motorcycles. A car that fits Category A or Category B can also be registered with a Category E COE.
Category E has its own quota and its own premium. In the latest round it closed higher than both Category A and Category B.
How do you check which category a car is in?
What you need:
- the car's exact model and variant
- its engine capacity in cc (not needed for a fully electric car)
- its maximum power in kW
Steps:
- Find the engine capacity and power on the car's specification sheet. Ask the seller if it is not shown.
- Check the power figure is in kW. Some sheets show bhp or PS instead.
- For a car with an engine, compare both figures with the Category A limits: 1,600cc and 97kW.
- For a fully electric car, compare the power with 110kW.
- Ask the seller which COE category the price is based on. Variants of the same model can fall into different categories.
- Confirm the category on OneMotoring if anything is unclear.
How did the latest round compare between categories?
In the October 2026, 2nd round, the categories closed as follows:
- Category A: S$132,004, which is S$2,003 more than the previous round. Quota 1,191, bids 1,574.
- Category B: S$131,901, which is S$1,801 more. Quota 923, bids 1,149.
- Category C: S$92,200, which is S$311 more. Quota 308, bids 481.
- Category D: S$10,778, which is S$234 less. Quota 539, bids 611.
- Category E: S$135,790, which is S$1,210 less. Quota 270, bids 411.
The changes are against the October 2026, 1st round. A few things stand out:
- Category A closed slightly above Category B in this round.
- Category E was the highest of the three car-related categories.
- Every category received more bids than its quota.
How do the last 12 rounds compare?
Our COE page lists the car categories for the 12 rounds from May 2026, 1st round to October 2026, 2nd round.
Category A ranged from S$123,847 in the June 2026, 2nd round to S$133,009 in the September 2026, 1st round.
Category B ranged from S$123,502 in the June 2026, 2nd round to S$135,001 in the September 2026, 1st round.
Category E ranged from S$127,700 in the May 2026, 1st round to S$137,890 in the September 2026, 1st round.
Comparing the categories round by round:
- Category B closed above Category A in 10 of the 12 rounds.
- Category A closed above Category B in 2 rounds: June 2026, 2nd round and October 2026, 2nd round.
- Category E closed above both A and B in 11 of the 12 rounds. The exception was the July 2026, 1st round, when Category B closed at S$130,889 and Category E at S$129,801.
- In the October 2026, 1st round, Category A closed at S$130,001 and Category B at S$130,100. That was a very small gap.
These are past results only. They do not show what the next round will do. Results are updated on the COE page after LTA publishes each round.
Does the COE category change your car insurance?
Not directly. The COE premium is not one of the questions insurers ask when they price a policy online. Their prices depend on:
- the car model
- the car's age
- the main driver
- your no-claim discount
- the cover you choose
A higher-value car can still cost more to insure. For example, the lowest comprehensive premium for a Toyota Corolla Altis registered this year was S$660.69 across 16 insurers. For a Tesla Model 3 it was S$869.87 across 10 insurers. Both figures are for a driver aged 40 with 10 years' driving and a 50% no-claim discount, as listed on 23 October 2026, including 9% GST. You can see more models on the prices page.
Two points to keep in mind when you buy:
- A car cannot be registered or driven without motor insurance in place. Check that cover starts on or before the registration date.
- Your no-claim discount belongs to you, not the car. It moves with you to a new car and to a new insurer.
Where can you check the rules?
The category definitions in this guide match those on our COE page. Some details are not covered here. These include how hybrids are classed, how long a COE lasts, and how bidding works step by step. For these, check LTA's OneMotoring site. It is also the place to confirm a specific car's category before you sign. For other running costs, see our guide to road tax.
Car insurance through Shenton Brokers
Before you drive off or renew, get your car insurance through Shenton Brokers. See which cars cost least to insure, or look up your own model's prices from every insurer we compare. Or get a quote with your own details.