Destinations / Singapore
Driving in Singapore as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Singapore drives on the left and accepts the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Singapore expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Emergency number | 999 (police), 995 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 90 km/h expressways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in SGD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Roads | Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries charge in busy areas. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.08% alcohol limit, strictly enforced. |
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants. |
On the road in Singapore
At the pump
Stations sell petrol grades 92/95/98 and diesel, are mostly full-service attended, and accept international cards; pump prices are high at roughly SGD 2.80-3.20 per litre for 95-octane.
After a crash
For accidents with fatalities or serious injury requiring hospitalisation, calling police on 999 is mandatory; minor accidents need not involve police but should be reported to the Traffic Police (6547 0000) and the rental firm, and you must not obstruct traffic unnecessarily.
Sources: sixt.com.sg · police.gov.sg · freshcars.sg · scdf.gov.sg
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Singapore?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Singapore drives on the left and accepts the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
Which translation format is used for Singapore?
Singapore uses the 1949 Geneva convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Singapore ask for a translation?
Desks request an IDP for non-English licences; ERP road pricing applies.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Singapore?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Asia
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.