Singapore is renowned for its innovative and efficient transportation system, and electronic road pricing (ERP) is one of the key components that make it work.

ERP is a system that charges drivers for using congested roads during peak hours, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion and improving overall road efficiency.

As a driver in Singapore, understanding the ERP system is integral to navigating the city's roadways effectively, avoiding fines, and saving time.

This driving in Singapore guide aims to provide a concise guide to the top 6 facts you need to know about electronic road pricing in Singapore. We will explore the role of ERP, how it works, and the various ways you can pay for it. Additionally, we will discuss frequently asked questions about the system, such as the fines for non-compliance.

1. ERP is an electronic toll system, not a tax.

Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is a sophisticated electronic toll system introduced in Singapore in 1998 with the aim of reducing road congestion during peak hours. This system does not replace the traditional road tax, but instead charges road users a fee (currently from $0.5 to $6.0 per gantry) based on the electronic gantries they drive through and the time of day. So, the ERP system is designed to encourage drivers to avoid congested areas during peak hours, thus reducing traffic and improving travel times for arterial roads and expressways.

The ERP charges are automatically deducted from an in-vehicle unit (IU) that is installed in the vehicle, making it a seamless process for road users. ERP charges are reviewed and adjusted periodically based on the traffic conditions around individual gantries.

ERP has been successful in managing the traffic flow in the city-state and has since been expanded to cover more arterial roads and expressways, making it part … Read the rest

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If you own a car in Singapore, you must have car insurance. It's not just a legal requirement; it's also a smart way to protect yourself and your car from unexpected accidents and damages.

But with so many different car insurance policies available, choosing the right one for your needs can be confusing. In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about car insurance in Singapore.

What is Car Insurance in Singapore?

Car insurance is a type of insurance that protects you financially in the event of an accident. If you are involved in an accident, your car insurance policy will pay for the damages to your car, as well as the damages to other people's property and injuries to other people.

Car insurance can also help you pay for your medical expenses if you are injured in an accident.

Car insurance is important because it protects you from financial ruin in the event of an accident.

Even if you are not at fault in an accident, you could still be responsible for paying for the damages to other people's property and injuries to other people. If you do not have car insurance, you could be forced to pay for these costs out of your own pocket, which could be very expensive.

Types of Car Insurance Policies in Singapore

There are three main types of car insurance policies in Singapore:

1. Third-party only (TPO) insurance,
2. Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) insurance, and
3. Comprehensive insurance.

Third-Party Only (TPO) Insurance

TPO insurance is the most basic type of car insurance in Singapore.

It only covers damage or injury caused to other people or property by your car. This means that if you get into an accident and you are at fault, your insurance company will only pay for the damage or … Read the rest

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During the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period (now, till June 1, 2020), you need to follow some new rules and regulations (in addition to the existing rules, e.g., speed limit) to drive in Singapore.

Some of these rules may be vague because they were tabled without extensive debating or deliberating and may be revised when the pandemic situation changes.

This post summarizes the top 5 rules of driving in Singapore safely and legally during COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period for private car drivers: when to drive, when to wear a mask, when it is unnecessary to wear a mask, where to park if you drive to exercise, and where to go for exercises.

Taxi drivers, private-hire car drivers, and delivery car drivers have to follow some specific rules and therefore are NOT covered in this post.

Please also note, you are not allowed to drive north to Malaysia during this period. Malaysia has closed the two checkpoints (Sultan Iskandar Complex and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex) for Singapore private drivers since March 18.  Movement Control Order has been extended to May 12, 2020.

Rule #1: Stay at home unless you really need to go out

The purpose of the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker is to minimize or slow down the spreading of the virus in the communities in Singapore.

To keep you safe, you should try to stay at home. Once you step out of the door, you may expose yourself to the virus.

Of course, if you have to go out, for example, to buy groceries, to see a doctor, to fetch your family member who has to work, then you are allowed to go out and drive.

Based on the latest recommendations and regulations, you have to wear a mask once you leave your home, or leave your car.  … Read the rest

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If you plan to buy a car (even a pre-owned car) in Singapore, you cannot avoid the COE (Certificate of Entitlement). It is part of the car price you have to pay. But many people find it hard to understand the COE price, as shown above.

So, instead of a lengthy explanation which usually causes more confusion, I think these 10 questions can help you understand COE price fluctuations easily.

Is COE an investment or a disposable product?

COE (Certificate of Entitlement)  is definitely NOT an investment, although the price fluctuates as stocks do.

The value of your COE depreciates from the day you register the car.  Each day, you lose about 0.027% of the COE price you paid. Every COE shares the same depreciation rate, but not the absolute value, obviously. So, some car owners lose more money each day than others.

For example, if you get the COE at the price of $30000, you will lose $8.1 every day. If you got it at $60000, congratulations, you lose about $16.2 per day.

After 10 years, the value of all COEs, regardless of your cost of getting the COE, will be $0.

So, COE is not an investment.

In fact, COE is a disposable product:

• It can only be used for up to 10 years.
• It can only be used once.

Can I buy a second-hand COE?

One COE can and MUST be tied to one car only.  In other words, once used, the COE becomes an essential part of the vehicle.

So, you cannot sell a COE without selling the car. Similarly, you cannot buy a second-hand COE without purchasing the car.

For this reason, there is a market for second-hand cars in Singapore. But there is no market for second-hand COEs.

An imported second-hand car needs … Read the rest

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Of course, there are some exceptions.

This driving in Singapore guide explains who can (and who cannot) use a foreign driving license to drive in Singapore and the requirements and procedures for converting a foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license.

Who can use a foreign driving license to drive in Singapore?

Although cars are exceptionally expensive in Singapore, many people are willing to pay the price for convenience.

Generally speaking, you need a Singapore driving license to drive in Singapore.  All Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents MUST have a valid Singapore driving license to drive in Singapore.

But as an internationalized city-state, Singapore does allow a certain group of foreign drivers to use their valid foreign driving licenses to drive in Singapore.  For example,

• Foreign visitors, social visitor pass (SVP) holders, and short-term pass holders can use a valid foreign driving license to drive in Singapore.
• Holders of long-term passes including Student Pass (STP), Employment Pass (EP), long-term visit pass (LTVP) and Dependent's Aass (DP) can use their foreign driving licenses to drive in Singapore for up to 12 months.  The 12-month period is calculated from the date of your last entry into Singapore (before getting the pass), NOT from the date of issuance of the Pass.
• Holders of Work Permit (WP) and S-Pass who are employed as a driver (or driving is part of the job) can use their foreign driving licenses to drive in Singapore for up to 6 months.  This 6-month period is calculated from the date of issuance of the pass.

Of course, in all … Read the rest

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For Malaysians, it is simple and easy to get a Touch ‘n Go card. Just imagine how easy we can get an EZ-link card in Singapore.

But it is very inconvenient for Singapore drivers to get a Touch ‘n Go card in Singapore.

This driving to Malaysia guide explains different ways for Singapore drivers to get a Touch ‘n Go card, including getting the card in Singapore and upon arriving at Malaysia.

Why is the Touch ‘n Go card not sold in Singapore?

Plain and simple, Touch ‘n Go card is not allowed to sell in Singapore due to related financial regulations.

A special agreement or a permit is needed if Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd intends to sell the card in Singapore. Due to the market size, I guess Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd does not bother.

This creates a problem for Singapore drivers: they need to get a Touch ‘n Go card to enter Malaysia, but they cannot get it outside of Malaysia.

As mentioned in the Malaysia VEP guide, you can use Touch ‘n Go eWallet to pay the RM20 road charge if you get the VEP tag.  You can reload the Touch ‘n Go eWallet through the app.

The remaining issue is that you still need a Touch ‘n Go card for the trip to collect the VEP tag, which can only be collected in Malaysia.

Of course, there are some (not just one)  solutions to this issue.

How to get a Touch ‘n Go card in Singapore?

Although Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd cannot sell the card in Singapore, … Read the rest

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In Singapore, the pro-business laws and regulations tend to give dealers the advantage in “defining” the terms and conditions of the warranty in Singapore.

This Driving in Singapore guide explains the typical coverage of car warranty in Singapore and the caveats and even traps in the terms and conditions of most Singapore car warranty policies.

Warranty coverage in Singapore: it's more complicated than you thought

If you think car warranty from all car dealers in Singapore is identical, then you are wrong, deadly wrong.

Singapore does not have regulations on compulsory coverage of car warranties except the 3rd party coverage. It is up to the market (and eventually the car dealer) to “offer”.

On the bright side, this creates some sort of competition among car dealers. Some of them may offer better warranty coverage to attract new customers.

But on the dark side, car dealers may use exaggerated words or fine print to mislead car buyers. The lemon law, section 12A-12F of the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA), is not a strong weapon for car buyers when disputes on car warranties arise.

In Singapore, there is NO standard (or basic or compulsory) coverage of car warranty:

• Each dealer may offer different coverage and terms and conditions of the warranty.
• From the same dealer, different coverage and terms may be offered for different cars.
• From the same dealer and for the same car, different coverage and terms may be offered at different times.

So, as a car owner, you need to know the coverage and the strings attached.

Some car dealers in Singapore do not give the … Read the rest

The post What is covered in the car warranty in Singapore? What is not? appeared first on Drive In Singapore.

This driving in Singapore guide explains the different Singapore road speed limits to help you drive safely in Singapore.

Why do you need to know the Singapore road speed limit?

Just like many other countries, Singapore imposes the maximum allowed speed on all roads.

All vehicles, except fire engines, ambulances, police cars, SCDF cars, and government cars that are on duty,  must not exceed the gazetted speed limit for that road or that section of the road.

Different roads and different sections of a road may have different speed limits. In school zones, the speed limit depends on the time.

The penalty for speeding in Singapore is severe (read on).

Besides, keeping your vehicle within the speed limit can help keep you safe on the road.

To avoid speeding penalties and for your own safety, you need to know the speed limit on Singapore roads.  For example, many drivers assume 90km/h is the speed limit in expressways in Singapore. Actually, in some sections, the speed limit is 70km/h or 80km/h.  Similarly, some roads in Singapore have a speed limit of 40km/h instead of the well-known 50km/h.

What is the “default” Singapore road speed limit?

By law, the default speed limit of Singapore roads is 50km/h if the speed limit of that road is not gazetted.

But do not assume.

What are the different speed limits of Singapore roads?

In school zones, the speed limit is reduced to 40km/h in the morning ( from 6.30 am to 7.45 am), afternoon ( from 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm)  and evening (from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm) on school days. During this period, you will see the  “40km/h When Lights Flash” sign flashing as shown … Read the rest

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The Malaysian government has postponed the implementation of the Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) several times. But very likely, the implementation will start sometime in 2019 at the Singapore-Malaysia border first.  In the future, the VEP may be implemented gradually at other entry points in Malaysia.

Update (October 2024): The implementation of VEP officially started on October 1, 2024. You only need to finish the registration process (you can use the confirmation email as proof if asked). The physical tag is not required yet. Drivers who haven't registered VEP would get a warning letter.

Although the VEP is not strictly implemented, is not required as of January 2019 for cars driving from Singapore to Malaysia, all car owners who may drive the car to Malaysia should be prepared.

This Driving to Malaysia guide explains how to register the Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), what to do after the registration, when and how to collect it, and how to use the Malaysian VEP.

What is Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)?

When you enter Malaysia, you need a visa or some sort of permission (e.g., visa-free) to cross the border. When your car tries to enter Malaysia, it also needs similar permission. So, when you drive to Malaysia, you need a visa (or visa-free), and your car needs a vehicle entry permit.

Malaysia Road Transport Act 1987 section 66H is the legal base for the Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP). Currently, the Road Transport Department (abbreviated JPJ in Malay) under the Malaysian Ministry of Transport issues VEP (in the form of an RFID tag glued to the windshield or headlamp) to foreign vehicles.

Technically, all foreign cars entering Malaysia will require the VEP.

With VEP, the Malaysian authority will have the info on the car and the owner. So, it will … Read the rest

The post How to register, collect and use Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)? appeared first on Drive In Singapore.

According to the Worldwide Cost of Living Report 2018 by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore has held the title of the most expensive city for the fifth straight year since 2014. The top factor contributing to Singapore's ranking is the cost of car ownership.

Singapore is the most expensive place in the world to buy a car (and maintain a car), thanks to its successful car control policy. When you plan to buy a car, it is important to understand the breakdown of the car price you have to pay. If you are a foreigner and hold a foreign driving license, you need to convert your foreign driving license to Singapore driving license after 12 months.

As a highly populated city-state, Singapore cannot afford a massive traffic jam. So the government invested billions of dollars each year in the public transportation system to make it affordable, reliable (decreasing in recent years), accessible and efficient.

For car ownership, the Singapore government fabricated a complicated, fair, and effective car regulation system. Since 1990, the Certificate of Entitlement (COE),  complemented with tax and duties, has been introduced (and tweaked) to regulate the demand, and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) to regulate road usage.

Today, when you pay the “purchase price” to the car dealer, less than 25% of the price is the actual car value. In simple words, for the same money you paid, you probably can buy 3-4 identical cars in the US.

So, why a car in Singapore is so expensive?

When you buy a car, you are not paying only for the car. The purchase also includes at least the following 10 items:

• COE (you can bid one for yourself, but most dealers will mark up the car price);
• Open Market Value (OMV);
• Additional Registration Fee (ARF);
• Excise

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