Driving Differences: Australia vs Singapore Explained
When navigating the roads of Australia and Singapore, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations and driving norms is crucial for a safe journey. From lane markings to speed limits and vehicle documentation, these two countries exhibit significant variations that every traveler should be aware of. Explore the essential contrasts to ensure a smooth and secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
singapore:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
singapore:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Singapore |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal when exiting
Turns
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Display not required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
singapore:
Display not required
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
australia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
australia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
singapore:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay