Driving in Iceland vs. Singapore: Key Differences Explained
Embarking on a driving adventure in Iceland or Singapore? This comparison reveals crucial distinctions in road regulations, traffic customs, and safety measures between these two unique destinations. From lane usage to speed limits, understanding these variances is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Iceland | 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
iceland:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
singapore:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Singapore |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
singapore:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
singapore:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection 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
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | 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
iceland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | $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 need to be paid promptly | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay