Singapore Local Reference INFOrmation
Motoring notes on the driving laws and you. An introduction to what you must (and must not) do when driving on Singapore roads: licences, speeding, parking and alcohol intake limits. Disabled parking permission
Below is information on:
Some Rules & Regulations
The Singapore Police Force website also has comprehensive information on the following:
Driver Improvement Point SystemThe Singapore Police Force runs a Driver Improvement Point System (DIPS) to penalise persistent bad driving.
There is more information in the Driver Improvement Point System guide from the Traffic Police, which is available free of charge.
The Singapore Police Force operate an interactive website where details of outstanding offences, DIPS points and licence applications can be viewed.
Road Conditions and Speed LimitsA book on the highway code can be bought from any of the three driving test centres and at most book shops in Singapore. Currently there is nothing available online.
Speed LimitsSpeeds vary from as low as 40 Km in some urban areas to 80/90 Km on expressways.
Drink DrivingThe legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP)The ERP system is designed to moderate traffic flow along popular roads and the Central Business District (CBD). Drivers have to pay to enter. All cars in Singapore are fitted with a special device, the In-Vehicle Unit (IU), that holds a stored-valued CashCard which automatically deducts the fee for each ERP gantry, when going through the Restricted Zone or CBD. ERP CashCards can store up to S$500, and are available at all Singapore banks, post offices and petrol stations. (The card can be used for other cash transactions in supermarkets, petrol stations and parking.) The deposit of S$2 is refundable when the card is returned. Cards can be topped up at any Singapore Bank automatic teller machine (ATM). Top-ups can also be done in any 7-eleven store for a small fee. Note: From Nov 2008, ERP charges can be paid by credit card. For a monthly subscription of $2.50 register from 5 November at either of the following: A successful application will be notified by email in 3 to 7 days. The service will then be activated. Details of the Car registration and the IU (in-vehicle Unit) number will be required. If using this method of payment there is no need to have a cash card in the IU. The gantry will register the IU when passing through and will communicate with the registered credit card. The credit card does not need to be in the IU. The cost of ERP depends on the time of entry and the roads travelled. Anyone caught entering the ERP gantry without an In-Vehicle Unit, a Cashcard or sufficient balance on the CashCard will be photographed by the gantry camera and subsequently fined.
Operating hours and locations of Electronic Road Pricing
LicencesVisitors staying on a Social Visit Pass require an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is an internationally recognised document which, when accompanied by a valid national licence (this covers most European licences, those from the USA and Canada, Australian, New Zealand and South Africa), allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in a foreign country.
Road TaxesRoad taxes can be paid on a six-monthly or annual basis. Tax can be paid either at a post office or at any car inspection centre (listed below). A valid insurance certificate and a car inspection certificate if required (if the vehicle is over three years old) must be produced when buying a tax disc.A renewal notice will be posted to the registered address of the owner of the vehicle. A surcharge ranging from 10 to 50 percent on the road tax must be paid when the licence is renewed. The tax for a diesel-engine car is equivalent to six times the computed road tax for a petrol-engine car.
Vehicle Roadworthiness
Notification is sent via the post to the registered owner of the vehicle when the inspection is due to be performed. The inspection certificate is required along with proof of insurance in order to purchase road tax. More information is available from the Viacom LTD website for test centres. Inspections can be carried out at any of the car inspection centres listed below:
Renting a car in SingaporeThere are plenty of car hire firms available if required. Rental car rates can vary significantly across agencies at the same location. Drivers without a Singapore driving licence should check that the car hire company accepts international driving licences. Minimum age policies will differ from company to company. In addition to a valid driver's licence, some agencies may require renters to be older than 21 years old. As with any rental, inspect the rental car for damage before driving it away. Check the insurance options. Some car rental companies use a "24 hour clock rate" when charging. This means a car rented on Monday and returned on Tuesday may be charged for two days if not returned within 24 hours. It may be possible to hire a child car seat. Breakdown AssistanceThe Automobile Association of Singapore provides
members and the local motoring community with many services including 24-hour
emergency AA's range of motoring and technical services include pre-trip car inspection, car valuation, car evaluation, issuance of Singapore International Driving Permits, Carnet de Passage en Douane and supplementary licences for off-peak cars, road tax renewals, sale of Cash Cards and parking coupons. Membership is open to any licenced driver or private-registered car owner in Singapore.
Further Information
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