Driving in Ireland vs. Singapore: Key Differences Explained
Discover the nuances of navigating the roads in Ireland and Singapore. While both countries prioritize driver safety, key contrasts emerge in speed limits, overtaking rules, and emergency protocols. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, whether you're exploring Ireland's scenic routes or Singapore's bustling streets.
Lanes
| Ireland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Ireland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Singapore |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
singapore:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | 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 |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ireland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
ireland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Ireland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued 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
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay