Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. Singapore: Key Differences
When exploring the contrasting road regulations between Saudi Arabia and Singapore, it's essential to note significant distinctions in driving practices, speed limits, and road etiquette. While Saudi Arabia adheres to right-side driving and higher speed thresholds, Singapore emphasizes left-side navigation and stricter adherence to safety protocols. Understanding these variations can greatly enhance your safety while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | 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 | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
saudi arabia:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
Yes
singapore:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Saudi arabia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Saudi arabia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | 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 for communication on the road | 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
saudi arabia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
saudi arabia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
singapore:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
singapore:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay