By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Visitors can drive in Singapore on a valid foreign driving licence for up to 12 months. If your licence is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit or an official English translation with it; licences from other ASEAN countries need neither. Singapore drives on the left, charges tolls through Electronic Road Pricing at busy times, and makes parking a paid, organised affair. For most visitors, trains and taxis are simpler and cheaper.
Driving here is orderly: good roads, clear signs, disciplined traffic. What costs visitors is not danger but money and time: rental rates, road charges in the city at rush hour, and paid parking everywhere you stop. Here is what you need to know before you pick up the keys.
Driving in Singapore: quick facts
| Licence | Valid foreign licence, usable for up to 12 months |
| Not in English? | Carry an International Driving Permit or an official English translation |
| ASEAN licences | Accepted without an International Driving Permit |
| Side of the road | Left, with right-hand-drive cars |
| Road charges | Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) at busy times on central roads and expressways, charged automatically |
| Drink-driving | Strictly enforced; do not drink and drive at all |
| Emergencies | Police 999; ambulance 995 |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Cost | Rental, fuel, ERP and parking add up quickly; far more than trains and the odd taxi. |
| What you get | Freedom for day trips to the far west or north, or with lots of luggage. |
| The alternative | The MRT, buses and ride-hailing, which cover almost everything a visitor wants. |
| Worth it for | Families with small children and bulky gear, or anyone planning to drive on to Malaysia with the rental firm’s permission. |
| Skip it if | Your trip is mostly in the city centre. |
What you need to drive
Bring your valid home licence. If it is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit issued in your home country, or an official English translation, alongside it. ASEAN licences are accepted on their own. The 12-month limit applies to visitors; anyone who becomes a resident must convert to a Singapore licence. Rental companies set their own rules on minimum age and how long you must have held your licence, so check when you book.
On the road
Traffic keeps left. Speed cameras are common, lane discipline is expected, and pedestrians have priority at crossings. Buses have their own lanes at set hours, marked on the road. Drink-driving is enforced with roadblocks and heavy penalties; if you plan to drink, take a taxi.
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
ERP gantries over central roads and expressways charge a small fee each time you pass under them during busy periods. The charge is deducted automatically through the car’s in-vehicle unit and a stored-value or payment card; rental cars come with this set up, and the charges are usually billed back to you. Avoiding the city centre at rush hour saves money and time.
Parking
Almost all parking is paid. Mall, hotel and public car parks usually charge automatically through the car’s in-vehicle unit as you enter and leave. Some outdoor lots use an app instead; ask the rental company how its cars pay. Never park on double yellow lines or in bus stops: enforcement is quick.
Driving into Malaysia
Crossing the Causeway or the Second Link needs the rental company’s permission, extra paperwork and Malaysian entry charges, and the checkpoints can be slow. The Escape covers trips to Johor Bahru.
Driving in Singapore: FAQ
Can tourists drive in Singapore?
Yes, with a valid foreign licence for up to 12 months. Carry an International Driving Permit or an official English translation if your licence is not in English.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Singapore?
Only if your licence is not in English, and not at all if it was issued by another ASEAN country.
Which side of the road does Singapore drive on?
The left.
Is it worth hiring a car in Singapore?
Rarely, for a city trip. Trains, buses and taxis reach almost everywhere, and they cost less than rental, road charges and parking.
Read next
This page belongs to Visiting Singapore, our guide for first-time visitors. For the cheaper way around, read Getting Around Singapore, and for taxis and apps, Taxi, Grab or Gojek in Singapore.
Checked against the official source, 28 September 2026. The Singapore Police Force’s Traffic Police state that a foreigner staying in Singapore for less than 12 months must hold a foreign driving licence together with an International Driving Permit issued by an authorised body in their home country, or an official translation of the licence. Foreigners staying longer than 12 months, and work pass holders employed as drivers, must convert to a Singapore driving licence.
Sources checked 28 September 2026: Driving in Singapore (overview); Green Motion, driving in Singapore for visitors; Expat Exchange on the 12-month rule and ERP. Check the Singapore Police Force’s Traffic Police pages and your rental agreement for the rules that apply to you. Added 28 September 2026: Singapore Police Force, Traffic Matters: driving licences for foreigners. Last updated 28 September 2026.
