Driving in Singapore vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When exploring the nuances of road regulations in Singapore and South Africa, drivers will encounter notable variations that impact their journeys. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements, all essential for ensuring a safe experience behind the wheel. Understanding these distinctions is vital for a smooth and secure driving adventure abroad.
Lanes
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
singapore:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
singapore:
Not allowed.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
singapore:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
singapore:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
singapore:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Singapore | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Warning
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
singapore:
Not allowed.
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Display not required | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
singapore:
Display not required
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
singapore:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Flashing Lights: Usage
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Pedestrians Priority
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 995 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
singapore:
995
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
singapore:
999
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Singapore | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, demerit points | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $120, demerit points for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $200 to $500, demerit points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay