Driving dos & don'ts: Singapore road & license rules
If you consider a car a necessity even with Singapore's super-efficient public transport system, it's essential you are aware of the rules and regulations of driving beyond those often confusing acronyms such as PIE, CTE, AYE, BKE and ERP.
Driving licence
You must hold a valid Singapore driving licence for the class of vehicle - motorbike, van, car - you wish to drive. This applies to all citizens, permanent residents and foreigners who plan on residing in Singapore for more than 12 months. If you're here for less than one year, you must possess a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by an authorised body in your home country. If you can't get an IDP, an official English translation of your foreign licence is required. You must also be registered as a resident in the issuing country after receiving your license, which must have been held for a minimum of six months. ASEAN nationals should get a driving licence issued by their country's proper authority.
If you don't have an IDP or Singapore driver's licence and are booked for a traffic offence - including Driving Under the Influence (DUI) - you are deemed to be unlicensed and will incur much heavier penalties and possible jail time.
If you've lived in Singapore for more than 12 months you must sit a Basic Theory Test (BTT) - a written exam to test your knowledge of Singapore's road rules. BTTs are multiple-choice - computerised or written - tests where you have 60 minutes to answer 50 questions, of which 45 must be answered correctly. Book online and bring the requisite fee ($6), originals of any previous licences, your identity card and proof of residence in Singapore and you can sit the exam at one of three driving centres island-wide.
No matter how long you've been driving, it's imperative you read the Highway Code before sitting the exam. What applies in your home country may not apply here. And if you've been driving for 20 years you may have forgotten how many metres you can park from a fire hydrant or bus stop.
Once you've successfully passed the test - two attempts is standard - you can apply for a driver'siHIgyour driveryour licence. If this is your first ever driver's licence issued, you will then need to obtain a provisional licence, take practical driving lessons and pass a practical Final Theory Test (FTT).
Driving centres
Bukit Batok Driving Centre Tel: 6561 1233, www.bbdc.com.sg
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre Tel: 6841 8900, www.cdc.com.sg
Singapore Safety Driving Centre Tel: 6482 6060, www.ssdcl.com.sg
Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP)
The ERP system moderates traffic congestion along popular roads during peak hours, through a usage-based direct taxation mechanism. All vehicles in Singapore are fitted with an "In-vehicle Unit" (IU) which holds a stored-value CashCard which automatically deducts a fee when you pass an ERP gantry. CashCards can store up to $500 and can be purchased and topped up at all Singapore banks, post offices, 7-Eleven stores and petrol stations, or via credit card. www.lta.gov.sg
Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
COEs limit car ownership, controlling the number of cars on Singapore's roads. If you're purchasing a second-hand vehicle it will come with a COE. But if you're buying a brand new set of wheels, you - or the car dealer - will need to bid for the "right" to buy.
If the vehicle you intend to purchase is more than 10 years old you will need to apply for a new COE. With the exception of classic cars, this is often not feasible financially. Once you elect to release your vehicle you'll receive a refund - known as the PARF/COE rebate - and your vehicle will be "sold" and exported to another country.
To buy, or not to buy?
With a well-oiled public transport system, cheap taxis and overpriced vehicles, owning a car in Singapore isn't a necessity. But if you can't live without your own set of wheels, it's not as expensive as you might think.
A standard $25,000 car may be priced in Singapore at around $75,000, but if you're looking at a new vehicle and with COE prices becoming more competitive, parallel importers may be an option. They often offer good deals with extended warranty periods and interest rates on loans can be as low as 1.8 percent.
Buying second-hand ensures you forgo the first year of high depreciation, but to gain a decent PARF/COE rebate it's usually best to move your vehicle on after five years. You also need to budget for ERP, road tax, insurance, fuel and parking charges.
It is easier to get around Singapore in your own car - particularly if you have children. For some, a vehicle is a necessity rather than a luxury. And thanks to good roads and flowing traffic, driving in Singapore - in comparison with neighbouring countries - can be enjoyable. Provided you're prepared to give way to driver etiquette infringements.
Second-hand specialists
Legal musts
- Seat belts, or child seats for children below eight years, are compulsory.
- Switch your headlights on between 7pm and 7am.
- It's illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. If an emergency call must be made, use a hands-free device or headset and keep the call short.
- Minimum driving age is 18 years.
- Third party insurance is compulsory.
- Your driver's licence and car insurance certificate must be carried in your vehicle at all times and be presented to a police officer upon request.
- Legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit is 0.08 - 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The absorption of ethanol - pure alcohol - in your system will depend on your sex, height, weight and food consumption. Generally, 0.08 equates to two standard drinks for a female and three standard drinks for a male. Note, a standard drink is any drink which has 10 grams of alcohol. A 375ml bottle of full-strength beer equals 1.5 drinks and one bottle of wine equals 7.5 standard drinks, with 100ml - less than half a glass - equalling one drink.
Posted on Mar 2010
