Driving Differences: Algeria vs. Singapore Explained
When exploring the roads of Algeria and Singapore, drivers will encounter striking contrasts in traffic regulations, lane usage, and speed limits. While Algeria drives on the right with variable speed limits absent, Singapore prioritizes safety with a left-side driving system and electronic indicators. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
algeria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
algeria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Singapore |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
algeria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay