Driving in Bhutan vs Singapore: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Bhutan and Singapore, you'll discover notable distinctions that impact road safety. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol regulations, these countries present contrasting standards. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Singapore |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Turns
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | 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 | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bhutan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bhutan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay