Common Driving Offences in Singapore

The Road Traffic Act governs traffic offences in Singapore (Chapter 276). For the updated 2023 Road Traffic Act regulations, see below for common driving offences in Singapore that carry demerit points, fines, and imprisonment terms.

Exceeding the Speed Limit

According to Section 63, whoever exceeds the speed limit by driving a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what is prescribed as the maximum speed in relation to a vehicle of that class or description shall be guilty of an offence. The offending person will be prosecuted in court.

Reckless/Dangerous Driving

According to Section 64, whoever drives a motor vehicle on the road in a reckless manner which is dangerous to the public, taking into account the following:

• nature,
• condition,
• use of the road,
• traffic at that point in time,

Shall be guilty of an offence. The Offender will be liable for a fine of up to S$5,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be liable for a fine not exceeding S$10,000, imprisonment for a term up to 2 years or both, and disqualification of licence.

Causing death by Reckless or Dangerous Driving

According to Section 66, Offenders will be liable for imprisonment up to 8 years and disqualification of licence for 10 years. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be imprisoned for a term of 4 to 15 years and disqualification of licence for up to 15 years. If, upon trial, the prosecutor is not satisfied with the fact that reckless or dangerous driving caused the death of another, the Offender will be under Section 64. Our News Paper Report Case on Rash Driving Traffic Offence

Driving without Due Care or Reasonable Consideration

According to Section 65, whoever drives a motor vehicle on the road without due care, attention, or proper consideration for other road users shall be guilty of an offence. For a committed violation, an arrest may be made without a warrant. Offenders will be liable for a fine of up to S$1,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months or both. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be liable for a fine not exceeding S$2,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both.

Use of Mobile Communication Devices while Driving

According to Section 65B, whoever drives a motor vehicle on a road or a public place while using a mobile phone simultaneously shall be guilty of an offence. The Offender will be liable for a fine of up to S$1,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months or both. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be liable for a fine not exceeding S$2,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both. Note that tablets, smartwatches, and other mobile communication devices are chargeable.

Drink Driving or under the Influence of Drugs

According to Section 67, whoever, when driving, is under the influence of alcohol, or drug, or any intoxicating substances, to an extent where the driver has no control of his vehicle, or his alcohol intake is so much that his breath and blood exceeds the prescribed limit, shall be guilty of an offence. The Offender will be liable for a fine not less than S$2,000 and not more than S$10,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be liable for a fine not less than S$5,000 and not more than S$20,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years.

Hit-and-run

According to Section 84, when a road accident occurs, resulting in damage, injury, or even death, whoever fails to:

• stop and provide their name and contact details to the victim,
• inform the owner of said damaged property,
• report the accident to the police within 24 hours, or
• assist,

Shall be guilty of an offence. Additionally, whoever has hurt or killed an animal in the accident, must stop their vehicle if they believe that the animal has an owner or that it poses a road hazard to other drivers. In all of these cases, failure to comply and leaving the crime scene constitutes a hit-and-run. Even with no injuries, it is considered a hit-and-run if a property is damaged. In the case of severe injury or death, a first-time offender will be liable for a fine of not more than S$3,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be liable for a fine of not more than S$5,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years.

Stricter measures proposed for Racing Traffic Offence

Illegal car racing

From 30th June 2021, whoever promotes or participates in illegal car racing will face enhanced penalties. A first-time offender will be liable for a fine of not more than S$5,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months in jail. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be liable for a fine of not more than S$10,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years in jail. If a car belonged to another person and was used without the owner’s consent, the court may forfeit it.

Less-known driving offences in Singapore

Idling with the engine on

According to Section 21 of the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, drivers should turn their idle car engines off, i.e., when not at a stop light or stuck in traffic. A first-time offender will be liable for a fine of no less than S$70 and not more than S$2,000. For a second or subsequent conviction, the Offender will be responsible for a fine of not more than S$5,000.

Driving Slowly in the Right Lane

On an expressway, the right-most lane serves as an overtaking lane. Intended for vehicles overtaking slower vehicles, slowing down in that lane is considered “road hogging,” a common traffic violation in Singapore. A first-time offender will be liable for a fine not more than S$1,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 months in jail or both. Thus, these are the 9 common driving offences in Singapore to avoid committing,