S'pore clamping down on Telehitch groups & illegal carpooling, drivers to face S$10,000 fines

Singapore is going to impose more severe punishments for those who engage in illegal ride hitching.

Drivers who provide illegal point-to-point transportation using unlicensed vehicles can face higher fines of up to S$10,000.

The current fine is S$3,000.

Publishing, forwarding or sharing advertisements for illegal point-to-point services, including on messaging platforms such as Telegram, will be made illegal with the legislative changes.

Illegal carpooling services are offered on the Telegram messenger app.

They are known locally as Telehitch groups, where drivers and riders can match with one another and negotiate prices.

Going beyond prosecuting drivers

Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng said in Parliament on Oct. 7 that laws could target commuters next: “We have not introduced specific penalties against commuters for the use of illegal P2P (point-to-point) services for now. But we may do so in future.”

His remarks were made during the second reading of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill, which was passed at the end of the sitting.

Baey also said illegal point-to-point services affect licensed drivers' livelihoods and put passengers at risk.

Clampdown on advertising illegal services

The new law will also compel advertisers to remove advertisements for illegal point-to-point services.

Online platforms will also be required to reveal the identity of those behind the advertisements.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will have the power to issue directions to take down such advertisements, and require platforms to provide information on the advertisers.

Non-compliance with any LTA direction will be an offence.

Impounded vehicles to be held longer

LTA has impounded about 240 vehicles used to provide illegal P2P services since July 2025.

Currently, LTA's investigations take around three to four months, but a seized unlicensed vehicle must be released within one month in the absence of prosecution, Baey said.

The government will lengthen the mandatory release timeline to three months, to give LTA sufficient time to investigate and build a complete case, it was added.