Public Transportation is so efficient in Singapore, you probably won’t have any need for a car.  If you do choose to drive, most drivers are very courteous and cognizant of traffic laws.

Singapore’s highways are all designated by acronyms – AYE, ECP, CTE, AMK, PIE, ORR and CBD. Various tolls are levied in morning and evening peak hours to relieve congestion on expressways and busy roads, using the Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP), which automatically deducts tolls from the In-Vehicle Unit or IU. This is fitted in all Singaporean vehicles and drivers purchase a rechargeable Cashcard and insert it in the IU. Vehicles that are not fitted with the IU must rent one. This can be done from petrol stations and other outlets, at a cost of S$5 daily, minimum of two days (plus a S$120 deposit). To help traffic flow in the Central Business District, all vehicles entering between 7:30am and 7:00pm are also expected to pay a toll, which varies depending on the time. More information on the ERP is available from the Land Transport Authority (www.lta.gov.sg).

The highways are easy to negotiate and traffic generally moves smoothly thanks to the ERP. Wearing seat belts in the front and back is mandatory and it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. Offences are treated seriously, with tough fines and even jail sentences. Singaporean drivers have a habit of lane drifting but otherwise traffic flows with very few abuses of etiquette.

Parking is cheap and easily available all over the city, especially in hotel basement car parks. Rates vary depending on location, management and timing but public car parks cost around S$0.50 per half hour, double that inside the Central Business District. Some require parking coupons; others will take cash.

If you will be residing in Singapore for less than twelve months, you are not required to convert your foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license. You may drive in Singapore with a valid International Driving Permit issued by a foreign Automobile Association. If an International Driving Permit is not available, an official translation of your foreign license in English is required.

To convert to a Singapore driving license, you are required to pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT) which will familiarize you with traffic rules and Singapore’s Highway Code pertaining to traffic-related issues peculiar to Singapore. A Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) who wishes to drive in Singapore is required to convert his foreign driving license after becoming a PR.

Your application for conversion of driving license must be made in person at any of the following driving test centers:

Singapore Safety Driving Center (SSDC)
3 Ang Mo Kio St 62
Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 3
Singapore 569139
65 482 6060

Comfort Driving Centre (CDC)
205 Ubi Ave 4
Singapore 408805
65 841 8900

Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC)
815 Bukit Batok West Ave 5
Singapore 659 085
65 561 1233

The following documents will be required:
Result slip to prove that you have passed the Basic Theory Test

Passport and NRIC/Entry Permit/Employment Pass/Dependent Pass/Social Visit Pass/Work Permit, etc (whichever is applicable)

A passport-size color photograph with white background

For those employed overseas, a Letter of Employment, Income Tax Returns or supportive documents from employers and the relevant Employment Pass in the passport

A valid Qualified Foreign Driving License

An official translation of the driving license if it is not in English

Extract of Driving License from the Licensing Authority that indicates the date of first issue of Driving License if this date of issue is not indicated on your driving license

Some Traffic Rules and Regulations

In Singapore, driving is on the left side of the road

You must be at least 18 to qualify for a license

The speed limit is 50 km/h on roads and 70-80 km/h on expressways

Do not drink and drive. The legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood

Seat belts and child seats are mandatory

Head lights must be turned on between 7:00pm and 7:00am