Driving Differences: Austria vs. Singapore Explained
When exploring the roads of Austria and Singapore, understanding the nuances of their vehicular regulations is essential for safe navigation. From distinct driving sides to speed limits and road etiquette, this comparison uncovers key contrasts that can shape your driving experience. Stay informed to ensure a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Singapore |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
austria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
austria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means