Driving Differences: Singapore vs Thailand Unveiled
When exploring the roads of Singapore and Thailand, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and customs that influence their journeys. Key distinctions include lane rules, speed limits, and penalties, contributing to a unique driving environment in each nation. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
singapore:
Not allowed.
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Usage
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
singapore:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
singapore:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
singapore:
40 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
singapore:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
80-90 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
singapore:
80-90 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Singapore | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
singapore:
Not allowed.
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Display not required | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
singapore:
Display not required
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
thailand:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
thailand:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
singapore:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 995 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
singapore:
995
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
singapore:
999
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Singapore | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, demerit points | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $120, demerit points for non-compliance | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $200 to $500, demerit points | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days