Singapore BTT cheat sheet

Default speed limit on Singapore roads is 50 km/h unless a sign shows a different limit; expressways are typically 90 km/h.

School zones are signed at 40 km/h and apply during school operating hours.

Legal drink-drive limit: 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 ml of breath, or 80 milligrammes per 100 ml of blood.

Demerit points: 24 points within 24 months results in suspension; a probationary driver's licence is revoked at 13 points within the one-year probation period.

Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; children below 1.35 m must use an approved child restraint.

Amber light means stop; proceed only if you are so close to the stop line that stopping would be unsafe.

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is an offence, including while stopped at a red light or in a queue.

At a discretionary right turn you must give way to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians crossing, even on a green light.

Overtake on the right only, and never at a pedestrian crossing, at a junction, or across a continuous white line.

Prohibitory signs are circular with a red border; 'no entry' is a red circle with a white horizontal bar.

Warning signs are triangular with a red border and alert you to hazards ahead such as bends, junctions and pedestrian crossings.

Mandatory signs are blue circles and state what you must do, e.g. turn left only, keep left, minimum speed.

Stop sign = red octagon with a solid white stop line; Give Way sign = inverted triangle with a double broken white line.

Double continuous white lines prohibit crossing, overtaking and U-turns.

A single broken white line divides lanes and may be crossed only when it is safe and does not inconvenience other road users.

Yellow box junction: do not enter unless your exit is clear, so you do not block the junction when the lights change.

Double yellow lines along the kerb mean no parking at any time.

Do not drive over chevron or hatched markings; at a zebra crossing give way to pedestrians and do not overtake a vehicle stopped there.

Use the two-second rule for following distance in good conditions; double the gap in rain, at night, or behind a large vehicle.

In heavy rain or fog, switch on dipped headlights and slow down; do not use hazard lights while the vehicle is moving.

Aquaplaning: ease off the accelerator, hold the steering straight, and avoid braking or steering sharply.

In a skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go; avoid hard braking.

Before changing lanes, check the mirrors and then look over your shoulder for the blind spot.

Fatigue cannot be cured by fresh air, cold drinks or loud music; stop in a safe place and rest.

Approach pedestrian crossings ready to stop, and never overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a crossing.

At night, dip headlights for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle closely.

Avoid lingering in the blind spots of lorries and buses, and do not tailgate them.

Hand signal, right turn: extend the right arm straight out horizontally.

Hand signal, left turn: right arm out of the window, bent upward at the elbow with the forearm vertical.

Hand signal, slowing down: right arm extended horizontally with the palm moving up and down.

Signal at least three seconds before moving off, turning or changing lanes, and cancel the signal after the manoeuvre.

Steering: hold the wheel at about 9 and 3 o'clock and use the pull-push method; do not cross the hands.

On a long descent, select a lower gear and use engine braking rather than riding the brakes, which can overheat and fade.

With ABS, press the brake pedal firmly and keep it pressed; pedal vibration is normal and the pedal must not be pumped.

Minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre width; check pressures when the tyres are cold.

Before moving off: mirrors, signal, over-the-shoulder blind spot check, then move off smoothly.