‘We can’t do much’: Car-sharing, rental firms in Singapore left frustrated by VEP process as Oct 1 deadline arrives

CAR-SHARING FIRMS FACE COMPLICATIONS IN GETTING VEPS

The confusion and frustration are especially palpable for car-sharing firms, whose vehicles are owned by hosts rather than the company, hence complicating the VEP application process. 

Drive Lah co-founder Dirk-Jan ter Horst said his firm has pending VEP applications from its hosts. 

“We can’t do much here as it is pending with Malaysia (authorities),” he said. 

In the meantime, Drive Lah cars without VEP tags cannot be taken across the border. Drive Lah team said it is working with hosts to ensure the car’s status can be updated once they successfully collect the tags. 

He said around 40 per cent of his customers rent cars to travel to Malaysia, but they can still book Drive Lah cars that already have the VEP tags. 

“We recommend people check for available cars and book when they can so they can secure their trip to Malaysia,” said Mr ter Horst. 

Car-sharing firm Tribecar similarly faces issues with securing VEP tags. 

Almost 50 per cent of its fleet does not have the VEP and is unlikely to meet the Oct 1 deadline, said a spokesperson.  

“Some of our suppliers have encountered challenges with vehicles that were previously registered under different ownership or those that were registered in the past. These complications have slowed down the registration process.” 

The spokesperson said about 10 per cent of Tribecar’s customers rent cars to drive to Malaysia. 

He added that the firm will still allow customers to drive its cars across the border, given the announcements that non-VEP cars will only be issued a warning.