Driving in India vs. Singapore: Key Safety Differences
Driving in India and Singapore presents unique contrasts that every traveler should understand for enhanced road safety. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed regulations, and enforcement practices. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will ensure a smoother experience behind the wheel in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| India | 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, but only when safe. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 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 | 60-70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Singapore |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
singapore:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
singapore:
Not allowed.
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
singapore:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Display not required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Road Etiquette
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
india:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
singapore:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
singapore:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| India | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | 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
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay