Driving in Costa Rica vs. Singapore: Key Differences
When exploring the unique road regulations of Costa Rica and Singapore, you'll discover fascinating contrasts that impact travel safety. From driving sides to speed limits and lane usage, this comparison reveals that Costa Rica drives on the right while Singapore adheres to the left, showcasing diverse approaches to ensuring road safety and efficiency.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Costa rica | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Singapore |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | 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 inspection required; proof required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | 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 is common to signal intentions | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
costa rica:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
costa rica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay