Short answer: yes — you can install an OBU lock yourself in under 5 minutes with nothing more than a screwdriver. A full-metal lock like MOTOLOCK (2mm SUS201 stainless steel, SGD 19.90) mounts over the cashcard slot of a standard Singapore OBU unit and is held on with tamper-proof screws. No drilling, no wiring, no workshop visit. The only tool you need is a screwdriver to tighten the tamper-proof screws — and a padlock if you want the extra layer.
Every week, riders ask the same question on SingaporeBikes, Reddit and Facebook: how do I install an OBU lock? Most assume it needs a workshop or special tools. It doesn't. This guide covers what you need, the exact steps, where to position the lock, and the three mistakes that make any OBU lock — plastic or metal — fail.
What you need
- Your OBU lock. A full-metal lock box that fits standard Singapore OBU units (MOTOLOCK fits all standard units).
- A screwdriver. To tighten the tamper-proof screws. That's it — no drill, no special bits.
- A padlock (optional). Any standard padlock with a shackle up to 6mm. MOTOLOCK's Ø6.5mm hole fits them all.
- 2 minutes. The whole install takes less time than a coffee run.
Step-by-step installation
- Park and switch off. Park the bike, switch off the engine, and make sure the OBU screen is off. You're working near the card slot — no power needed, but a stable bike makes it easier.
- Remove the cashcard. Take the cashcard out of the OBU slot. You'll slide the lock box over the slot, and the card needs to be out for the box to seat properly.
- Slide the lock box over the card slot. Align the box so it fully covers the cashcard slot, with the opening facing the way you normally reach for the card. The box should seat snugly against the OBU body — if it doesn't, check the alignment before tightening anything.
- Tighten the tamper-proof screws. Hand-tighten each tamper-proof screw with your screwdriver until the box is held firmly against the OBU. Do not overtighten — snug is enough. The screws are tamper-proof because removing them requires a power drill, which is exactly what stops a street thief.
- Add the padlock (optional but recommended). Push the padlock shackle through the Ø6.5mm hole and lock it. This is the "real lock" layer: even with the screws out, the box cannot be opened without cutting the padlock.
- Test the quick release. Unlock, flip the box open, and grab the card. You should be able to get the card in under 2 seconds. If the flip feels stiff, check that the box isn't overtightened or misaligned.
Where to position the lock on the OBU
Position matters more than people think. The lock box must cover the cashcard slot completely — a partially covered slot is an invitation to pry. On standard Singapore OBU units, the card slot sits on the lower face of the unit, and the box mounts directly over it with the opening angled toward the rider's reach.
If your OBU is mounted at an unusual angle (some riders mount the screen sideways or upside down), the box still fits — just orient the opening toward the direction you reach from. The tamper-proof screws hold it at whatever angle you set.
Three mistakes that make OBU locks fail
- Buying a plastic "lock." A 3D-printed cover with a clip or a plastic key mechanism is not a lock — it snaps or pries off by hand in seconds. Worse, a visible fake lock signals to a thief that your card has value. Only full metal with tamper-proof screws and a real padlock mechanism actually stops theft. See why plastic makes theft worse.
- Overtightening the screws. Snug is enough. Cranked-down screws can distort the box or strip the mount, and a warped box is easier to pry.
- Blocking the card slot or screen. If the box covers part of the slot, cards jam on insertion. If it covers the OBU screen, you can't read your balance. Position it so the slot is fully covered and the screen stays visible.
What if it doesn't fit?
MOTOLOCK is designed to fit standard Singapore OBU units — the units installed by LTA's appointed installers on motorcycles. If you have a non-standard or aftermarket unit, measure the card slot area and compare it against the box dimensions before buying. MOTOLOCK is not affiliated with LTA, and installation is entirely up to you — which is the point: no workshop, no appointment, no waiting.
MOTOLOCK: the only real lock in Singapore
MOTOLOCK is the only OBU lock in Singapore that is full 2mm SUS201 stainless steel with tamper-proof screws and a real padlock mechanism — the only real lock, not a plastic cover. Quick release: unlock, flip, grab your card in under 2 seconds. Installs in under 5 minutes with a screwdriver.
One-time purchase. SGD 19.90. Top up $120, leave it in, forget about it.
BUY MOTOLOCK — $19.90