Singapore TDVL cheat sheet

Unless a sign shows otherwise, the limits are 50 km/h on normal roads, 40 km/h in school zones during school hours and 90 km/h on expressways.

The legal alcohol limits are 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath and 80 mg per 100 ml of blood; exceeding either limit is an offence.

Drink driving carries 24 demerit points; beating a red light and using a handphone while driving each carry 12; failing to wear a seat belt carries 3.

A driver who accumulates 24 demerit points within 24 months is suspended; a probationary driver is suspended on reaching 13 points.

The driver and every passenger must wear a seat belt where one is fitted; a child below 1.35 m must be secured in an approved child restraint or booster seat.

Keep to the left unless overtaking, overtake on the right, and never cross or straddle a double continuous white line to overtake or make a U-turn.

At an uncontrolled junction give way to traffic approaching from your right; at a roundabout give way to traffic already circulating from your right.

Signal before turning or changing lanes, and check both mirrors and the blind spot over the shoulder before moving.

At a pedestrian crossing, stop for pedestrians on the crossing and do not stop or park within the zig-zag approach markings.

Sign shape carries the meaning: red-bordered circle = prohibition or restriction, red-bordered triangle = warning, blue circle = mandatory instruction, rectangle = information or direction.

An octagon means STOP (stop at the stop line); an inverted triangle means GIVE WAY (stop only if traffic is not clear).

Traffic lights run red, amber, green, amber, red; amber means stop unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe.

A flashing amber light at a pedestrian crossing means give way to pedestrians on the crossing, then proceed with caution.

A double continuous white line along the centre of the road prohibits crossing, overtaking and U-turns; a broken white line may be crossed when it is safe.

At a yellow box junction, enter only if your exit is clear; a vehicle turning right may wait inside the box while oncoming traffic passes.

Double yellow zig-zag lines mean no stopping at any time, and no overtaking the vehicle nearest a zebra crossing on the approach markings.

A solid white line across your lane at a junction is the stop line - you must stop behind it at a red light, a STOP sign or a police officer's signal.

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

Wet roads roughly double stopping distance, so reduce speed and increase the gap whenever the road is wet.

If the vehicle aquaplanes, ease off the accelerator, hold the steering steady and avoid hard braking until the tyres grip again.

If the rear wheels skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid; harsh braking makes the skid worse.

Mirrors do not cover the area directly alongside the vehicle - turn your head to check the blind spot before any lane change.

Any amount of alcohol or fatigue slows reaction time and judgement; the only safe alcohol level before driving is zero.

For a breakdown on an expressway, switch on hazard lights, pull onto the road shoulder, set out the warning triangle and stand behind the barrier while calling for help.

When an ambulance, fire engine or police vehicle approaches with sirens, signal left, slow down and pull over to let it pass.

Behind a large vehicle or motorcycle, stay further back so you can see the road ahead and be seen in their mirrors.

A taxi may only be driven by a person holding a valid Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence issued by the Land Transport Authority, and the licence must be produced for inspection by an authorised officer.

Every metered hire must be run on the meter; the meter must be inspected and sealed by an authorised agent, and tampering with the meter or its seal is an offence.

A receipt must be issued on request showing the fare, any surcharges, the date and time and the vehicle registration number.

A driver must not refuse a hire without reasonable excuse, must not tout for passengers and must not overcharge or demand a tip.

A standard taxi carries at most four passengers in addition to the driver, and every passenger counts, including children and infants.

Smoking inside a taxi is prohibited for both driver and passengers, and the vehicle must be kept clean, air-conditioned and roadworthy.

A driver must report a change of residential address and any medical condition affecting fitness to drive to the Land Transport Authority.

Property left in the taxi must be handed to the taxi company's lost-and-found office, or to the police if valuable, and the find should be recorded.

Driving a taxi while the vocational licence is suspended or while under disqualification from holding a driving licence is an offence.

Before moving off, greet the passenger, confirm the destination and agree the route; if traffic is heavy, say so and offer an alternative before taking it.

State which surcharges apply - peak hour, midnight, city area, location or booking fee - before or during the trip and itemise them on the receipt.

Do not overcharge, ask for a tip or take a longer route without the passenger's agreement; unexplained detours are treated as overcharging.

Offer help with doors and luggage to elderly, pregnant and disabled passengers; only a wheelchair-accessible taxi may carry a passenger who stays in a wheelchair.

Refuse politely, giving a reason, if the passenger is abusive or drunk, exceeds the seating capacity, or wants to smoke or eat in the taxi.

Handle a complaint calmly: listen without arguing, note the date, time, route and fare, and direct the passenger to the taxi company or the Land Transport Authority.

Keep conversation courteous, keep the radio volume low and the air-conditioning as requested, and avoid personal, religious or political arguments.

Main expressways: PIE (Tuas to Changi, east-west), ECP (city to Changi along the coast), CTE (north-south through the centre), AYE (city to Tuas), plus BKE, SLE, TPE, KPE, MCE and KJE.

Changi Airport has Terminals 1 to 4; a location surcharge applies to hires that start at the airport.

Metered fare = flag-down fare + distance/time charge + waiting time + applicable surcharges + booking fee, with ERP charges added where incurred.

Switch the meter on at the start of the journey and stop it at the destination; the amount shown on the meter must match the amount charged.

Waiting time is charged whenever the taxi is stationary or moving below the meter's threshold speed, for example in a traffic jam.

ERP charges incurred during the trip are borne by the passenger and are added to the metered fare shown on the receipt.

Take the shortest or fastest route to the destination; any detour must be agreed with the passenger first.

Know the key landmarks and their approach routes - CBD and Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Jurong, Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, and the hospitals.