Driving Differences: Malaysia vs Singapore Explained
When exploring the roads of Malaysia and Singapore, it's essential to understand the unique regulations and practices that govern each country's motoring culture. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and penalties, highlighting Singapore's stricter enforcement and Malaysia's more lenient approach. Ensure your travels are safe and informed by recognizing these crucial driving variations.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not allowed. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or '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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
singapore:
Not allowed.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
singapore:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 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: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
Documentation
| Malaysia | 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 | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | 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
malaysia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
malaysia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 995 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
singapore:
995
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | 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
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay