ERP 2.0 Trials Are Underway: What the New Blue Road Markings and Test Drives Reveal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional legal advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified legal professional for matters relating to specific legal circumstances.

Singapore's ERP gantries are on their way out, and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is now testing what will replace them on the road itself. Since March 2026, LTA has been trialling bright blue road markings at select locations, giving drivers their first real look at how the satellite-based ERP 2.0 system will actually work once gantries disappear for good on 1 January 2027.

If you've driven past Bayshore Drive or one of the newer trial roads recently, you may already have spotted them. Here's what they mean, where else to expect them, and what early test drives have revealed about the experience.

What's Changing: The Blue Road Markings Explained

Since ERP 2.0 relies on GNSS (satellite) positioning rather than physical gantries, LTA needed a new way to show drivers exactly where an ERP charge applies. The answer: paint it on the road.

The first trial, held in March 2026 along Bayshore Drive, tested two main visual cues, including a blue circle with a white "E" painted in the middle of lanes, and a longer stretch of road painted entirely blue accompanied by an "ERP Charge Zone" sign [1][2]. LTA also ran skid-resistance and visibility tests to make sure the markings were safe in all weather conditions, not just visually clear [3].

These markings work alongside alerts from your vehicle's on-board unit (OBU), which will notify you in advance as you approach a charging zone, show the prevailing rate, and confirm once a charge has been applied, similar in spirit to how the OBU already displays school zone and speed camera locations.

Where and When: The Trial Locations

Following feedback from the first phase, LTA refined the road marking designs and expanded testing. From 1 June to 31 July 2026, five different combinations of signs and markings are being trialled across five existing ERP charging locations on expressways and arterial roads, chosen to reflect a range of traffic conditions and road types [4].

LTA is running the trial with the Automobile Association of Singapore and the Singapore Road Safety Council, and has invited motorists to take part directly. Participants also get early access to other upcoming OBU features, including automatic checkpoint toll payments and paying for roadside parking through the OBU touchscreen.

If you're not part of the official trial but drive through one of these zones, you won't be charged extra for the test, as LTA has confirmed the markings are for feedback purposes only during this period. Motorists can also submit feedback on the trial signage directly to LTA by 31 July 2026.

Putting It to the Test: What Drivers Are Experiencing

Early hands-on accounts give a useful preview of what to expect. In one test drive, a journalist trialling the system found that alerts worked well on smaller roads. For instance, on Clementi Avenue 2, the OBU gave enough advance warning to avoid an ERP-charged route entirely if the driver chose to [5][6].

The experience was less comfortable on faster roads. Approaching a charging point on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), the alert appeared only around 200 metres before the last available exit, which is a tight window at expressway speeds if you're hoping to reroute [5]. It's a useful reminder that, at least during this early trial phase, the system still has some fine-tuning ahead before it fully replaces the instant visual recognition drivers get from a physical gantry.

As of the most recent figures, more than 96% of Singapore's vehicle population has already had an OBU installed, so most drivers will experience this transition as soon as the markings and alerts go live nationwide.

Coming Next: Paying for Parking Through Your OBU

The same trial group testing the road markings is also set to pilot a related feature from August 2026: paying for parking directly through the OBU touchscreen, rather than the Parking.sg app [7]. The trial will cover more than 640 car parks and around 19,000 roadside parking spaces. A "P" icon will appear on the OBU display once you've parked, letting you either start a session with a tap or automatically prompt you once your engine switches off.

The Parking.sg app isn't going away, so drivers without the touchscreen display can continue using it as normal. But for those who do have it, this points to where ERP 2.0 is really headed: consolidating more of your everyday driving payments into a single in-car system.

Is Distance-Based ERP Charging Coming?

This is one of the most common questions drivers ask about ERP 2.0. The short answer, for now, is no.

Speaking in Parliament, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow confirmed that ERP 2.0 will not introduce distance-based charging when it launches [8][9]. Instead, the government's priority is making the transition feel as familiar as possible: charges will still apply at defined zones, just without the physical gantry. Siow noted that distance-based pricing is something LTA will continue to study only after drivers have had time to adjust to the new system and it has stabilised.

In other words, if you're worried ERP 2.0 means being billed by the kilometre from day one, that is definitely not the plan for the near term.

What This Means for Your Drive

For most drivers, the biggest practical change right now is simply knowing what to look for: blue markings, "ERP Charge Zone" signage, and OBU alerts replacing the gantries you're used to glancing up at. If you haven't yet had your OBU installed, our earlier guide covers the deadlines, costs, and installation process in full.

The LTA's trial isn't just testing satellite accuracy, it's also checking skid-resistance to ensure the blue lanes are safe for drivers in our heavy tropical downpours. Staying safe on the road is always priority number one, and keeping your eyes on these new road markings is as much a road-safety habit as it is a practical one as Singapore heads toward the January 2027 deadline.

FAQ

Will I be charged extra for driving through an ERP 2.0 trial zone?

No. LTA has confirmed that during the trial period, the new road markings are being tested for driver feedback only and do not result in additional charges beyond the usual ERP rate.

Do I need to do anything to prepare for the blue road markings?

No action is needed. If you already have your OBU installed, you'll receive alerts automatically as you approach a charging zone. If you haven't installed your OBU yet, check our guide on deadlines and costs.

Is ERP 2.0 going to charge drivers based on distance travelled?

Not at launch. The government has confirmed distance-based charging is not part of the initial ERP 2.0 rollout and will only be studied further after the system has stabilised.

When will the physical ERP gantries be removed?

Gantries are being phased out progressively as ERP 2.0 rolls out, with full transition to the gantry-less system expected from 1 January 2027.

Where can I see the new road markings for myself?

Trial markings have appeared at Bayshore Drive and, from June to July 2026, at four additional expressway and arterial road locations as part of Phase 2 testing.

Sources & References

1. LTA begins trials of road signs and markings for the gantry-less, satellite-based ERP 2.0, Motorist Singapore — https://www.motorist.sg/article/5616/lta-begins-trials-of-road-signs-and-markings-for-the-gantry-less-satellite-based-erp-2-0
2. LTA begins trial of new visual markers for ERP 2.0, SGCarMart — https://www.sgcarmart.com/articles/news/lta-begins-trial-of-new-visual-markers-for-erp-20-38580
3. Possible road signs and markings for ERP 2 to be trialled at five new locations, The Straits Times — https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/possible-road-signs-and-markings-for-erp-2-to-be-trialled-at-five-new-locations
4. New ERP 2: What drivers need to know about OBU, LTA blue symbols and road gantries, AsiaOne — https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/new-erp-2-what-drivers-need-know-obu-lta-blue-symbols-road-gantries
5. ERP 2 OBU full features trial study, road sign markings testing, LTA, Channel NewsAsia — https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/erp-2-obu-full-features-trial-study-road-sign-markings-testing-lta-6115846
6. ERP gantries phasing out, satellite tech charging in, The Independent Singapore — https://theindependent.sg/erp-gantries-phasing-out-satellite-tech-charging-in-singaporean-puts-new-erp-2-0-location-based-charging-via-satellite-based-system-to-the-test/
7. ERP 2 location-based charging trial test, Channel NewsAsia — https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/erp-2-location-based-charging-trial-test-6182281
8. S'pore to fully switch to new ERP system from Jan 1, 2027; Bill to make on-board unit compulsory, The Straits Times — https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/spore-to-fully-switch-to-new-erp-system-on-jan-1-2027-new-bill-to-make-on-board-unit-compulsory
9. Singapore to fully switch to new ERP system from Jan 1, 2027; Bill to make on-board unit compulsory, The Business Times — https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/singapore-fully-switch-new-erp-system-jan-1-2027-bill-make-board-unit-compulsory

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