Driving Differences: Chile vs Singapore Explained
Discover the distinct road regulations and practices in Chile and Singapore. This comparison highlights key variations, such as driving on opposite sides, speed limits, and lane usage, that affect safety on the roads. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Singapore |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | 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
chile:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
chile:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | 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
chile:
133
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay