Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Lighting) Rules

Road Traffic Act

(CHAPTER 276, Sections 6 and 140)

R 10

REVISED EDITION 1990

(25th March 1992)

[1st January 1975]

Citation

1. These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Lighting) Rules.

Definitions

2.—(1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —

“Agreement” means the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Agreement concerning the Adoption of Harmonized Technical United Nations Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be Fitted and/or be Used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the Basis of these United Nations Regulations (formerly known as the Agreement concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions of Approval and Reciprocal Recognition of Approval for Motor Vehicle Equipment and Parts, done at Geneva on 20 March 1958 (original version) and the Agreement concerning the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be Fitted and/or be Used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the Basis of these Prescriptions, done at Geneva on 5 October 1995 (Revision 2));

[S 142/2021 wef 08/03/2021]

“dipped beam” means a beam of light emitted by a headlamp, being a beam which is deflected downwards or both downwards and to the left to such an extent that it is at all times incapable of dazzling any person who is on the same horizontal plane as the vehicle at a greater distance than 7.5 metres from the lamp and whose eye-level is not less than one metre above that plane;

“front lamp”, in relation to a vehicle, means a lamp which is capable of showing to the front of the vehicle a light and is fitted not more than 300 millimetres nearer the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the furthest point of the vehicle on the same side thereof;

“headlamp” means a lamp on a vehicle which is designed, when lit, to illuminate the road in front of the vehicle;

“hours of darkness” means the time between 7.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m.;

“illuminated area” means, in relation to a lamp, the area of the orthogonal projection on a vertical plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of that part of the lamp through which light is emitted;

“low beam” means a beam of light emitted by a lamp other than a headlamp, being a beam which is deflected downwards or both downwards and to the left to such an extent that it is at all times incapable of dazzling any person who is on the same horizontal plane as the vehicle at a greater distance than 7.5 metres from the lamp and whose eye-level is not less than one metre above that plane;

“main beam” means a beam of light emitted by a headlamp, being a beam which is not a dipped beam;

“matched pair”, in relation to lamps fitted on or to a vehicle, means a pair of lamps, one on each side of the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (disregarding for the purpose of ascertaining such axis, any side-car attached thereto) in respect of which the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)	each lamp in the pair is alike in respect of shape, size and power and is at the same height above the ground; and
(b)	the distances between the centre of each lamp in the pair and the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle do not vary by more than 25 millimetres;

“rear lamp”, in relation to a vehicle, means a lamp which is capable of showing to the rear of the vehicle a red light visible from a reasonable distance;

“width” means the width of a vehicle measured between vertical planes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and passing through the extreme projecting points thereof exclusive of any driving mirror and direction indicator.

(2) Neither of the expressions “front lamp” and “rear lamp” shall include any lamp carried by a vehicle for any one or more of the following purposes only:

(a)	for use as, or to illuminate, a direction indicator;
(b)	for intimating the intention of the driver of the vehicle to stop or to slow down;
(c)	for showing a light to the rear when reversing the vehicle; and
(d)	for the internal illumination of the vehicle.

(3) For the purposes of the Schedule —

“centre plane”, in relation to a vehicle, means the vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and

“side plane”, in relation to a vehicle, means a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and passing through the extreme projecting points on a side of the vehicle exclusive of any driving mirror or lamp.

General powers of Registrar or authorised officer

2A.—(1) The Registrar or an authorised officer may, by notice, require the owner of a vehicle to furnish evidence that the vehicle complies with all or any of the provisions of these Rules.

(2) The Registrar or an authorised officer may, in any particular case, upon the application of any person, waive the operation of any provisions in these Rules in relation to that person or a vehicle that is the subject of that application, subject to such conditions as the Registrar or the authorised officer may impose.

(3) In this rule, “authorised officer” has the same meaning as in section 6(4) of the Act.

[S 466/2017 wef 24/08/2017]

Lamps to be fitted on or to a vehicle

3. In the case of a vehicle of a description specified in column 1 of the Schedule the type of lamps specified in column 2 of the Schedule and the number thereof specified in column 3 of the Schedule in relation to that description of vehicle shall be fixed on the vehicle in accordance with the requirements with respect to the lateral position of those lamps, their maximum height from the ground and otherwise, which are specified in relation to that description of vehicle in columns 4, 5 and 6 of the Schedule.

Lights to be carried by vehicles at night

4.—(1) Subject to these Rules, every vehicle on a road shall during the hours of darkness carry —

(a)	two lamps, each showing to the front a white light visible from a reasonable distance; and
(b)	two lamps, each showing to the rear a red light visible from a reasonable distance.

(2) It shall be the duty of a person who causes or permits a vehicle to be on any road during the hours of darkness to provide the vehicle with lamps in accordance with these Rules.

Lamps to be lit during hours of darkness

5.—(1) When any motor vehicle is in motion during the hours of darkness on a length of road, every lamp required to be carried by the motor vehicle by virtue of these Rules shall be kept lit.

(2) Every headlamp of a vehicle shall, when lit under paragraph (1), emit a dipped beam if —

(a)	there are on the road along which the vehicle is moving street lamps placed not more than 150 metres from each other; and
(b)	the lamps are lit.

(3) For the purposes of this rule, it shall not be necessary for the front lamps of a vehicle to be kept lit if the vehicle is being drawn by another and the distance between the two vehicles is less than 1½ metres.

Headlamps to be switched off while vehicle is stationary

6. No headlamp carried by a vehicle shall be kept lit while the vehicle is stationary on a road:

Provided that this rule shall not apply to headlamps used —

(a)	on any vehicle during an enforced stoppage of the vehicle; or
(b)	on a public service vehicle when stopping to pick up or set down passengers.

Automatic headlamp switch-on device

6A.—(1) Every motor cycle first registered in Singapore on or after 1st November 1997 shall be equipped with a device that is constructed to cause the headlamp of the motor cycle —

(a)	to emit a dipped beam automatically when the engine of the motor cycle is started by turning the ignition switch; and
(b)	to remain lit at all times while the engine is running.

(2) The device referred to in paragraph (1) shall be maintained in proper working condition.

[S 422/1997 wef 01/11/1997]

Maintenance of lamps

7. Every lamp fitted to or on a motor vehicle shall be kept unobscured and in a clean and efficient condition.

Internal illumination

8. Except with the approval of the Registrar, no vehicle shall have fitted in its interior any lamp visible to an observer to the front or to the rear of the vehicle unless such lamp is necessary for the purpose of internal illumination of the vehicle.

Additional lamps on breakdown vehicles

9.—(1) One or more lamps showing an amber light may be carried on a breakdown vehicle.

(2) Each lamp carried in pursuance of this rule shall be so fixed to the vehicle that the centre of the lamp is at a height of not less than 1½ metres from the ground and that it is on or as near as practicable to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

(3) The light shown by each lamp carried in pursuance of this rule shall be in the form of a concentrated beam or beams rotating in a substantially horizontal plane.

(4) No breakdown vehicle shall carry a lamp showing an amber light in pursuance of this rule except while it is being used in connection with, and is in the immediate vicinity of, an accident or breakdown, or while it is being used to draw a brokendown vehicle.

Special lights on breakdown vehicles

10.—(1) A breakdown vehicle may carry one or more lamps showing a white light which comply with paragraph (2) for the purposes of illuminating the scene of an accident or breakdown.

(2) Each lamp shall be so constructed, fitted and maintained that no part of its illuminated area is less than 1½ metres from the ground.

(3) No person shall illuminate any lamp carried by a breakdown vehicle by virtue of this rule except while the vehicle is in the immediate vicinity of an accident or breakdown and there is illuminated a lamp or lamps showing an amber light carried on the vehicle in accordance with rule 9.

(4) Any person using a lamp carried on a breakdown vehicle by virtue of this rule shall ensure that it is so directed that no person who is driving a vehicle is dazzled by the light emitted therefrom.

(5) The light shown by a lamp carried on a breakdown vehicle by virtue of this rule may be moved by swivelling, deflecting or otherwise while the vehicle is in motion in the immediate vicinity of the accident or breakdown.

Special lights on vehicles used for fire brigade, etc., purposes

11.—(1) A lamp showing a light of such colour as may be approved by the Registrar may be carried on an authorised ambulance or a motor vehicle used for fire brigade or police purposes or a vehicle owned by a police officer or a fire service officer or a civil defence officer and used by him in the execution of his duties.

[S 1051/2021 wef 03/01/2022]

(2) A lamp carried in pursuance of this rule shall be fixed to the roof of the vehicle, and on or as near as practicable to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

(3) The light shown by a lamp carried in pursuance of this rule shall be in the form of beams rotating in a substantially horizontal plane.

(4) No vehicle shall, in pursuance of this rule, carry a lamp showing a light except when the vehicle is being used for a medical emergency or for any of the purposes specified in paragraph (1) and it is necessary or desirable to do so either to indicate to other road users the urgency of the purposes for which the vehicle is being used, or to warn other road users of the presence of the vehicle on the road.

[S 1051/2021 wef 03/01/2022]

(5) In this rule —

“ambulance” means a motor vehicle that is specifically equipped for —

(a)	the transport on roads of; and
(b)	the provision, during such transport, of out-of-hospital clinical care to,

sick or injured individuals who require emergency medical treatment;

“authorised”, for an ambulance, means —

(a)	being specified in a licence (other than a revoked licence) under the Healthcare Services Act 2020 authorising the use of the ambulance to provide a licensable healthcare service specified in that licence; or
(b)	being owned by the Government and used for the purposes of the Singapore Armed Forces or the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

[S 1051/2021 wef 03/01/2022]

Special lights on public service vehicles

12.—(1) A public service vehicle which is more than 2½ metres in height may carry on the foremost and topmost part of the vehicle not less than two nor more than 5 lamps each showing, when lit, a diffused light of a colour approved by the Registrar.

(2) The lamps referred to in paragraph (1) shall be lit only during the hours of darkness when the vehicle is carrying passengers for hire or reward.

No additional lamp to be fitted on vehicle

13. Except as provided by these Rules or any other rule made under this Act no person shall, without the permission of the Registrar, cause or permit any lamp which is visible to an observer on a road to be fitted to or on a vehicle unless such lamp is at all times prevented from showing a light by means of a cover fitted thereon.

Markings on electric bulbs in lamps

14. Every electric bulb in a lamp required to be fitted on or to a motor vehicle by virtue of these Rules shall have the wattage thereof indelibly marked upon the glass or the metal cap thereof in a readily legible manner.

Character of headlamp

15.—(1) Every headlamp required to be carried by a motor vehicle by virtue of these Rules shall, when lit, show to the front of the vehicle a white light visible from a reasonable distance.

(2) Every headlamp fitted on or to a vehicle shall have its wiring arranged so that it can emit both main and dipped beams.

(3) It shall not be necessary for any headlamp fitted on or to any of the following vehicles to be capable of emitting a main beam:

(a)	a motor-cycle which is so constructed as to be incapable of exceeding a speed of 50 kilometres per hour; and
(b)	a locomotive which is so constructed as to be incapable of exceeding a speed of 40 kilometres per hour.

(4) No headlamp shall be used on a vehicle unless the headlamp is so constructed, fitted and maintained that the beam of light emitted therefrom can be extinguished by the operation of a device which at the same time causes a dipped beam to be emitted from the headlamp.

Headlamp and headlamp levelling device

15A.—(1) Every high intensity gas-discharge headlamp or LED headlamp fitted on or to a motor vehicle to which this rule applies shall be installed in such a manner as to comply with —

(a)	regulation 48 (Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Vehicles with Regard to the Installation of Lighting and Light-signalling Devices) of Addendum 47 to the Agreement; or
(b)	such other specifications as the Registrar may approve from time to time.

[S 142/2021 wef 08/03/2021]

(2) [Deleted by S 142/2021 wef 08/03/2021]

(3) Every high intensity gas-discharge headlamp, LED headlamp or headlamp levelling device fitted on or to a motor vehicle to which this rule applies shall, at all times while the motor vehicle is used on a road, be maintained in proper working condition.

[S 142/2021 wef 08/03/2021]

(4) This rule applies to —

(a)	every motor vehicle which is fitted with high intensity gas-discharge headlamps, and which is registered on or after 1 January 2010; and
(b)	every motor vehicle which is fitted with LED headlamps, and which is registered on or after 28 February 2021,

except any such motor vehicle which is —

(c)	a motor cycle;
(d)	a scooter; or
(e)	a motor vehicle which the Registrar is satisfied cannot (by virtue of its construction or use) practically comply with the requirements of the Act.

[S 142/2021 wef 08/03/2021]

(5) In this rule —

“high intensity gas-discharge headlamp” means a lamp which contains an inert gas and emits light when it comes into contact with a high-voltage electrical arc;

“LED headlamp” means a lamp which contains one or more light source modules containing light emitting diodes (LEDs) that produce light when an electric current flows through the LEDs.

[S 142/2021 wef 08/03/2021]

Movement of matched pair of headlamps

16. The beam of light emitted from a matched pair of headlamps fitted to a motor vehicle may be deflected to either side by the movement of, although not necessarily through the same angle as the front wheels of the vehicle when turned for the purpose of steering the vehicle, if the centre of any headlamp of the pair is not more than one metre from the ground.

Wattage of headlamp

17. The rated wattage of the electric bulb or the total rated wattage of all the bulbs with which a headlamp is fitted shall not be less than —

(a)	10 watts where the headlamp is fitted on or to a motor cycle which is so constructed as to be incapable of exceeding a speed of 50 kilometres per hour by reason of its construction;
(b)	15 watts where the headlamp is fitted on or to any other motor-cycle; and
(c)	30 watts where the headlamp is fitted on or to any other motor vehicle.

Character of front lamps

18.—(1) Every front lamp fitted on or to a vehicle shall, when lit, show a white light to the front of the vehicle except that if the front lamp also serves as a device for signalling the driver’s intention to change the direction of travel it shall show an amber light.

(2) The light emitted from a front lamp shall be either a diffused light or a low beam.

Character of rear lamps

19.—(1) Every rear lamp fitted on or to a vehicle shall, when lit, show a red diffused light to the rear of the vehicle.

(2) The total rated wattage of the bulb or bulbs with which a rear lamp is fitted shall be not less than 5 watts or not more than 36 watts.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the total rated wattage of the bulb or bulbs with which a rear lamp is fitted shall be not less than 8 watts or not more than 36 watts in the case of either a public service vehicle adapted to carry more than 14 persons excluding the driver or a goods vehicle with an unladen weight exceeding 1,500 kilograms, if in either case the vehicle is registered on or after 1st July 1980.

Illuminated area of front lamp, rear lamp, etc.

20.—(1) Every —

(a)	front lamp;
(b)	rear lamp;
(c)	clearance lamp fitted on or to a public service vehicle under rule 12; or
(d)	pass lamp or flank lamp fitted on or to a public service vehicle or goods vehicle respectively in accordance with the Schedule,

which is capable of emitting a diffused light shall, if circular, have an illuminated area not less than 50 millimetres in diameter or, if not circular, have an illuminated area not less than the area of a circle of 50 millimetres in diameter and of such a shape that a circle of 20 millimetres in diameter may be inscribed therein.

(2) The total rated wattage of the bulb or bulbs with which a front lamp, flank lamp, clearance lamp or pass lamp referred to in paragraph (1) is fitted shall be not less than 5 watts or not more than 7 watts.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), every rear lamp of the following vehicles shall have an illuminated area of not less than the area of a circle of 88 millimetres in diameter or 60 square centimetres:

(a)	a public service vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, with a carrying capacity of more than 14 persons excluding the driver; and
(b)	a goods vehicle registered on or after that date with an unladen weight exceeding 1,500 kilograms.

Prohibition on movement of light emitted from lamp

21. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, no light shown by a vehicle, other than a dipping headlight, shall be moved by swivelling, deflecting or otherwise while the vehicle is in motion.

Restrictions on the nature of lamps fitted on or to a vehicle

22.—(1) No vehicle shall, subject to these Rules, show —

(a)	a red light to the front; or
(b)	any light to the rear, other than a red light or a white light for the purpose of reversing.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not prevent a vehicle from carrying a lamp showing a light to the rear for the purposes of —

(a)	internal illumination of the vehicle;
(b)	illuminating an identification mark, a taxi meter, or any device for giving signals to overtaking traffic; or
(c)	in the case of a public service vehicle, illuminating boards, plates or devices indicating the route or destination of the vehicle.

Fog lamp on vehicle

23.—(1) Except as permitted by this rule, no fog lamp may be fitted to a motor vehicle.

(2) Subject to this rule, any motor vehicle may be fitted with one or both of the following:

(a)

a matched pair of front fog lamps;

(b)

either —

(i)	a single rear fog lamp; or
(ii)	a matched pair of rear fog lamps.

(3) A fog lamp fitted to a motor vehicle shall not be lit —

(a)	at any time other than in conditions of seriously reduced visibility; or
(b)	in a manner as to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other persons using the road.

(4) A matched pair of fog lamps fitted to a motor vehicle shall have a lateral position of not less than 600 millimetres between the centre of both lamps.

(5) A fog lamp shall —

(a)	be fitted to a motor vehicle in such a manner as to comply with regulation 48 (Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Vehicles with Regard to the Installation of Lighting and Light-signalling Devices) of Addendum 47 to the Agreement;
(b)	in the case of a front fog lamp, comply with regulation 19 (Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Motor Vehicle Front Fog Lamps) of Addendum 18 to the Agreement; and
(c)	in the case of a rear fog lamp, comply with regulation 38 (Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Rear Fog Lamps For Power-Driven Vehicles and their Trailers) of Addendum 37 to the Agreement.

(6) Every fog lamp retrofitted to a motor vehicle shall be constructed and fitted in accordance with the standard approved by the Registrar for this purpose.

(7) In this rule —

“front fog lamp” means a lamp used to improve the illumination of the road in front of a motor vehicle in conditions of seriously reduced visibility;

“rear fog lamp” means a lamp used to render a motor vehicle more readily visible from the rear in conditions of seriously reduced visibility.

[S 292/2003 wef 13/06/2003]

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