🇸🇬 Drive Singapore with Confidence
Know the rules. Carry the right documents. Enjoy the road.
Do You Need an IDP in Singapore?
Required Unless Your Licence Is ASEAN-Issued or Written in English
The Singapore Police Force sets out the rule plainly: a visitor drives on their foreign licence carried together with an International Driving Permit. Two things take you out of that. If your licence was issued by an ASEAN member state, no IDP is needed. And if an IDP is not available in your country, an official English translation of your licence is accepted instead — as is a licence already written in English. Whichever route applies, you always carry the original licence with it. Rental companies here typically ask for the IDP at the counter, and Singapore's traffic enforcement leaves little room for a document dispute.
Strict Traffic Enforcement
Singapore is known for having some of the strictest traffic laws in the world. Speed cameras are everywhere, fines are steep, and repeat offenders face imprisonment. Mobile phone use while driving, running red lights, and drunk driving all carry severe penalties including potential jail time.
Driving Rules in Singapore
Drive on the Left
Singapore drives on the left with right-hand-drive vehicles. Overtake on the right only. The island is compact and well-connected by expressways. GPS navigation is essential due to complex interchange systems.
ERP Tolls & COE
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries automatically charge tolls during peak hours. Rental cars come equipped with ERP units. The COE (Certificate of Entitlement) system makes car ownership extremely expensive, but this does not affect rental vehicles.
Zero Tolerance Laws
Blood alcohol limit is 0.08% but enforcement is severe. First-time drunk driving offenders face fines of SGD 2,000–10,000 and up to 12 months in jail. Drug offenses carry mandatory death penalty. Singapore takes traffic violations extremely seriously.
Speed Limits & Cameras
Expressways: 80–90 km/h. Arterial roads: 60–70 km/h. Residential: 40–50 km/h. Speed cameras are ubiquitous. Fines start at SGD 150 for exceeding by 1–20 km/h and escalate rapidly with potential license suspension.
Renting a Car in Singapore
Car rental in Singapore is straightforward but relatively expensive due to the COE system and limited car ownership.
Documents to Bring
Original license, passport, and credit card — plus an IDP unless your licence is ASEAN-issued or written in English. Desks here ask for it as a matter of routine. Minimum age is 23 with at least 2 years of driving experience. Under-25 surcharges may apply at some agencies.
Typical Costs
Compact cars from SGD 80–150/day. Full insurance adds SGD 20–40/day. Fuel costs approximately SGD 2.80–3.20/liter. Parking in the CBD is expensive at SGD 3–6/hour.
Top Rental Companies
Hertz — Available at Changi Airport with IDP enforcement. Avis — Good fleet selection, city and airport locations. Hawk — Local agency with competitive daily rates.
Get Your IDP for Singapore — From $29
Digital delivery in 1–2 business days (express as fast as 2 hours). Physical copy shipped worldwide. Valid for 1 year.
Apply Now →Returning to Singapore? Renew your IDP with 10% loyalty discount →
Singapore IDP FAQ
It depends on your licence. The Singapore Police Force says a visitor drives on their foreign licence carried together with an IDP — or, where an IDP is not available in your country, an official English translation of the licence. Holders of a licence issued by an ASEAN member state do not need an IDP, and a licence already written in English is accepted on its own. Rental companies here typically ask for an IDP at the counter.
ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) is Singapore's congestion pricing system. Gantries automatically deduct tolls from an in-vehicle unit. Charges vary by time and location, with higher rates during peak hours. Rental cars come equipped with ERP units.
Extremely strict. Speeding fines start at SGD 150 and escalate rapidly. Drunk driving carries mandatory imprisonment for repeat offenders. Using a mobile phone while driving results in fines up to SGD 1,000 and potential imprisonment.