Driving Differences: Singapore vs. Vanuatu Explained
The driving landscape in Singapore and Vanuatu reveals fascinating contrasts that every traveler should understand. From the differing sides of the road—left in Singapore, right in Vanuatu—to variations in speed limits and road etiquette, these distinctions significantly impact safety on the route. Prepare for your journey by exploring these essential differences.
Lanes
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
singapore:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
singapore:
Not allowed.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
singapore:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
singapore:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
singapore:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
singapore:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
singapore:
40 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
70-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
singapore:
70-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
70-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
singapore:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
singapore:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Singapore | Not used in Vanuatu |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Turns
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
singapore:
Not allowed.
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Display not required | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
singapore:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
singapore:
Display not required
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
singapore:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
vanuatu:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Pedestrians Priority
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
vanuatu:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 995 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
singapore:
995
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
singapore:
999
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Singapore | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, demerit points | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $120, demerit points for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use | Fines apply for use while driving |
| 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 | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay