5 S'porean drivers caught offering illegal rides on Telegram, vehicles impounded: LTA

Five drivers in Singapore got caught offering illegal ride services on Telegram in the past few weeks and had their vehicles impounded.

All five motorists are Singaporeans, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed in response to queries from Mothership.

News of the drivers getting caught was previously shared by Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling in a social media post on Sep. 11.

She added that LTA has been carrying out operations against illegal point-to-point (P2P) services matched using the messaging app.

Details about most recent cases

The five vehicles that got impounded represent the most recent cases uncovered.

LTA said these drivers were providing illegal carpooling services using private cars or goods vehicles, or were unlicensed drivers without a valid taxi driver's vocational licence (TDVL) or private hire car driver's vocational licence (PDVL).

The five drivers were caught based on information from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), National Taxi Association (NTA) and through regular patrols, LTA added.

Between 2020 and 2025, 26 motorists were caught providing illegal carpooling or motorcycle-pooling services, LTA added.

Those convicted were fined up to S$3,000, and were disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for 12 months.

More enforcement

Sun's post on illegal point-to-point services also highlighted the broader enforcement efforts, including the clamping down on illegal cross-border services between Singapore and Malaysia.

Sun said: "Since July 2025, we have stepped up enforcement against illegal P2P services, where over 70 vehicles have been impounded. These vehicles will be subject to forfeiture following the conclusion of the court prosecutions."

She added: "We are looking to enhance penalties such as increased fines and imprisonment terms to send a stronger deterrence signal."

Sun said enforcement operations at hotspots and at land checkpoints "will continue" with the authorities exploring more penalties.

"We are also considering barring drivers and vehicles suspected of providing illegal point-to-point services from entering Singapore," she said.

The announcement was lauded by the NPHVA.

"We thank LTA and Ministry of Transport for their firm action to protect the livelihoods of licensed drivers," the NPHVA said on social media.

The association also advised its members: "Please do not confront suspected illegal drivers directly."

"For your safety, do not act as enforcement officers. If you spot suspicious activity, please use the proper reporting channels."

Types of carpooling permitted

Carpooling is only permitted through licensed platforms like GrabHitch and RydePool, permitted licence-exempt business platforms, or among friends and colleagues, LTA said.

Any arrangements through informal non-business mediums or chat groups are not allowed.

For safety reasons, motorcycle-pooling is strictly prohibited regardless of the booking platform, LTA added.

Licensed and permitted licence-exempt business platforms provide safeguards via maintaining proper records and verifying drivers' credentials to protect passengers, LTA explained.

This is unlike informal arrangements where vehicles and drivers lack proper licensing and insurance, leaving passengers without recourse in the event of an accident.

Penalties

Those who provide illegal carpooling matching services in the course of business can be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed up to six months, or both.

Those who provide an illegal carpooling service using an unlicensed vehicle, or causes or permits an unlicensed vehicle to do so, can be fined up to S$3,000 jailed for up to six months, or both.

Those who provide illegal carpooling services without a valid vocational licence, or have employed or permitted any such person to do so, can be fined up to S$1,000 or jailed up to three months, or both, for a first-time offence.

Using, causing, or permitting a motorcycle to provide, for hire or reward, motorcycle-pooling services can result in a fine of up to S$3,000 or a jail term of up to six months, or both.

Top photos via Sun Xueling Facebook