World City Guide

Getting There By Road

The road system in Singapore is clear, easy and efficient, but can get very congested at peak times, and especially on weekends and holidays when Singaporeans crowd onto the road causeway to Johor Bahru in Malaysia.

Driving is on the left and the speed limit is 50kph (31mph) in residential areas and 70-90kph (43-56mph) on expressways – and visitors should note that there are very severe punishments for speeding.

For tourists, a valid driving licence from the country of residence is required for driving in Singapore. An International Driving Permit is recommended, especially if the driving licence is not in English, as it can help expedite proceedings where police are involved. The Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS; see below for details) has a helpline for information on IDPs, but drivers must apply for their IDP in their own country before arriving in Singapore. Foreign residents, however, must convert their national licence (or IDP) into a local licence. The Traffic Police (tel: 6547 0000) has information on road conditions and reporting all traffic accidents.

Anyone driving their vehicle into Singapore must leave it at customs, then go to the AAS for endorsement, with their passport, vehicle registration documents and insurance. They must then buy local insurance, even if they have international insurance. They will then be given an International Circulation Permit processed within an hour, which will allow them to collect their vehicle.

Foreign motorists bringing their vehicles from Malaysia are required to pay tolls and a Vehicle Entry Permit charge at checkpoints when they drive into Singapore. VEP charges are S$30 per day between Mon-Fri 0200-1900, with no charge Mon-Fri 1900-0200, Sat, Sun and Public Holidays. Alternatively, they can buy an Auto Pass Card from the Land Transport Authority. The AAS can give all the necessary information on these options.

Minimum third-party insurance is required for driving in Singapore, which can be extended to cover Malaysia. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%.

Further information can be obtained from the Automobile Association of Singapore, 336 River Valley Road (tel: 6333 8811; fax: 6733 5094; e-mail: aasmail@aas.com.sg; website: www.aas.com.sg).

Emergency breakdown services:
AAS: 6748 9911

Routes to the city: The main route into Singapore is the kilometre-long causeway, linking the northern district of Woodlands with Malaysia’s Johor Bahru. This causeway is usually very busy but, at weekends, the volume of traffic multiplies. The ‘Second Link’, officially the Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing, was built to alleviate the traffic and should be faster at busy periods. This second bridge is located on the western side of Singapore and it links the Tuas checkpoint in Singapore with Tanjung Kupang in Malaysia. The highway then runs up the western part of the Malay peninsular.

The East Coast Parkway (ECP) runs from the airport into the city along the coast; Changi Road and Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) both provide alternative routes.

Approximate driving times to Singapore: From Johor Bahru – between 20 minutes and 3 hours, depending on traffic; Kuala Lumpur – 3 hours; Malacca – 3 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Operators include Regent Star Travel, Lavender MRT station (tel: 6292 9009; fax: 6294 1432) and Malacca-Singapore Express (tel: 6293 5915; fax: 6292 2436), which are both located at the bus terminal on the corner of Lavender Street and Kallang Bahru. Coach services go to a number of Malaysian destinations, including Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and usually depart every morning and evening.