Driving rules are in place for the safety of all road users. For specific rules on driving safely for expressways and tunnels, click here.
At a glance
Understanding Driving Rules in Singapore | For the safety of all road users, there are a number of rules in place to regulate driving behaviour in Singapore. When driving, take note of traffic signs on the road. Regulatory signs are intended to inform road users of special obligations, restrictions and prohibitions with which they must comply and are subdivided into:
Pay attention to and obey these signs when driving:
You should also familiarise yourself with road markings to avoid illegal parking offences. There are 2 types of bus lanes. It is illegal for most vehicles to drive in bus lanes during the bus lane operating hours. You must also give priority to buses when nearing a Bus Priority Box. Each road in Singapore has a speed limit.In School Zones, the speed limit is 40km/h. In Silver Zones, the speed limit shall follow the speed limit sign attached. Check the speed limit for a particular road. During certain hours, traffic from Woodlands Centre Road is diverted to improve traffic flow along Woodlands Centre Road and Woodlands Checkpoint. |
Find out more | Learn more about road safety onwww.lta.gov.sg. More information on penalties and demerit points from the Traffic Police |
Understanding Driving Rules and Information
By following these rules and regulations, you will contribute to safer roads for yourself and other road users. It will also help improve traffic flow on our roads.
Traffic Signs
Learn about the traffic signs that help you safely navigate roads and traffic. The signs will help you in the following ways:
- Provide directions and navigate turns and exits
- Give crucial instructions
- Alert road users to potential hazards
- Show where to find attractions and facilities nearby
Road markings
Single white stop line. | Parallel broken white lines. | Unbroken yellow line. Violation of this rule attracts a fine. | Unbroken double yellow lines. |
Broken white line on two-way road. | White zigzag line indicating a zebra crossing ahead. | Single yellow zigzag line. | Double yellow zigzag lines. |
Continuous white line. | Unbroken double white lines. | Part-day bus lane. | Full-day bus lane. No driving or parking in the bus lane from 7.30 am to 11 pm, except on Sundays and public holidays.Violation of this rule attracts a fine. |
Red-Amber-Green (RAG) Traffic Signal aspects
Red-Amber-Green (RAG) arrows are used to control right turning movements at signalised traffic junctions. Motorists who want to turn right must stop behind the STOP line and wait for green arrow to turn on before they can proceed.
Types of RAG traffic signals that motorists can see on the roads:
Horizonal RAG signal aspects on overhead pole (under the standard 3-colour aspect):
| Vertical RAG signal aspects on ground pole (beside the standard 3-colour aspect):
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LTA will be installing more RAG arrows at traffic junctions in the coming years. Motorists are expected to comply to the traffic light signals while on the roads.
Bus Lanes
Bus lanes are a crucial part of our roads, to make public transport safer and more efficient. There are two types of bus lanes:
Part-day bus lane
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridaysexcept Public Holidays
| Full-day bus lane
Opening hours: Every day except Sundays and Public Holidays 7.30 am to 11.00 pm |
Using the bus lane during operating hours is illegal for all vehicles, except for:
- Bicycles in single file
- Emergency service vehicles and police vehicles on urgent duty call
- Non-scheduled buses*/ public buses
*Non-scheduled buses, such as school buses and factory buses, can drive in the bus lane, but they cannot stop, pick up or drop off passengers along the bus lane.
When you need to make a turn,you may use the dotted bus lane.
Bus Priority Box
A Bus Priority Box gives buses priority to exit bus stops. White markings with the word “Bus” and a triangle indicate that there is a Bus Priority Box just ahead.
Slow down at the first Give Way Triangle and watch out for buses exiting the bus stop ahead.Stop before theGive Way lines, and give way to buses entering or waiting to enter the yellow Bus Priority Box. Do not stay in the Bus Priority Box.
Speed limits
The speed limit indicates the maximum speed that motor vehicles are allowed to travel on the road. Unless otherwise stated, the speed limit of all roads in Singapore is 50km/h, 40km/h in School Zones, and when it is feasible to lower the speed limit, 40km/h in Silver Zones.
Always drive safely and keep within the speed limit to be a responsible driver, as well as avoid penalties and demerit points (www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Traffic/Traffic-Matters > I’d like to know > Penalties for Traffic Offences).
Emergency vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances and Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force vehicles are allowed to exceed the speed limit while on official duty.
Right Turn Restriction from Woodlands Centre Road to Woodlands Crossing (Johor)
From 17 July 2023, all vehicles, except for buses and authorised vehicles, will be prohibited from making a right turn to enter Woodlands Checkpoint using Woodlands Centre Road. This no-right turn ruling will be imposed at all times (24/7), including public holidays.
To access Woodlands Checkpoint, all vehicles except for buses and authorised vehicles, should use either the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) or Woodlands Road. Signages will be placed along the nearby roads to remind motorists of the change.
Find out more about Driving Rules and Information
Learn more about road safety on www.lta.gov.sg.
