Driving in China vs. Singapore: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the road regulations of China and Singapore reveals significant distinctions in their traffic systems. From driving sides to speed limits and lane usage, these variations underscore the importance of understanding local rules for safe navigation. Travelers should take note of unique practices, such as overtaking restrictions and vehicle documentation requirements, to ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Not allowed. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
singapore:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
singapore:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
singapore:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
singapore:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Singapore |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
singapore:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | 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 cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
china:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
china:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
singapore:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | $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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay