Road Traffic Rules - Singapore Statutes Online

Road Traffic Act

(CHAPTER 276, Section 140)

Road Traffic Rules

R 20

G.N. No. S 171/1981

REVISED EDITION 1999

(30th September 1999)

[25th May 1981]

Citation

1. These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic Rules.

Definitions

1A. In these Rules —

“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;

[S 1054/2021 wef 03/01/2022]

“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 1054/2021 wef 03/01/2022]

“Bus Give-Way Box” means the section of a road marked as a Bus Give-Way Box under rule 7(15) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33);

[S 652/2008 wef 20/12/2008]

“Bus Give-Way Controlled Area” means the section of a road marked as a Bus Give-Way Controlled Area under rule 7(14) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules;

[S 652/2008 wef 20/12/2008]

“Bus Give-Way Line” means the line marked on a road which separates a Bus Give-Way Controlled Area and a Bus Give-Way Box, referred to in the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules;

[S 652/2008 wef 20/12/2008]

“bus stand” means an area in a bus terminus for a bus passenger to board or alight from a bus;

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

“Demerit Points No Parking Zone” means any part of a road that is marked with a single yellow zig-zag line and includes the public footpath adjacent to the road;

“Demerit Points No Stopping Zone” means any part of a road that is marked with a double yellow zig-zag line and includes the public footpath adjacent to the road;

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

“recumbent device” and “three-wheeled pedal cycle” have the meanings given by rule 2 of the Road Traffic (Bicycles, Three-wheeled Pedal Cycles, Trishaws and Recumbent Devices — Construction and Use) Rules 2024 (G.N. No. S 157/2024);

[S 163/2024 wef 01/03/2024]

“taxi stand” means a public stand provided for taxis, indicated by a sign specified in Diagram 108B of Part III of the Schedule to the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33) and marked on the road by means of yellow lines;

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

“taxi stop” means an area of a road indicated by a sign specified in Diagram 107(c) of Part III of the Schedule to the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules and marked on the road by means of yellow lines.

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

Drivers to give signals

2.—(1) The driver of a vehicle on a road shall, in order to inform the traffic that he intends to stop, slow down or to change the direction of the vehicle to the right or to the left, signal his intention by means of an approved type of direction indicator as laid down in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules (R 9).

(2) Signals under this rule shall always be made in sufficient time to enable traffic to take appropriate action for the avoidance of danger.

Vehicle to be driven on part of road between centre and left-hand edge of roadway

3. Every vehicle shall ordinarily be driven on that part of a road which lies between the centre thereof and the left-hand edge of the roadway; and shall, when overtaking any vehicle, except in those cases specifically referred to in these Rules, only do so in such manner as to leave the vehicle overtaken on its left or near side and to avoid causing inconvenience or danger to any person or other vehicle.

Vehicle overtaking and passing another

4. The driver of a vehicle who intends to overtake and pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction may, if he sees the driver of the latter vehicle make the signal to turn to the right or left as required by rule 2 and take the position required by rule 7, overtake and pass the said vehicle on its left or right side.

Vehicle to keep close to left-hand edge of roadway

5.—(1) Every vehicle which is moving at a slow rate of speed shall be driven as close to the left-hand side of the roadway as possible.

(2) Every vehicle shall at all times be driven in such manner as not to obstruct vehicles moving at a faster speed.

Vehicle not to obstruct other vehicles at road intersection or junction

6. Every vehicle arriving at a controlled intersection or junction of roads which does not intend to turn right or left at the intersection or junction shall, on being released, move forward straight across such intersection or junction in such a manner as not to obstruct any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction on either side of such vehicle.

Positioning of vehicle before making a turn at road intersection or junction

7. The driver or rider of a vehicle who intends to turn to the right at an intersection or junction of roads shall, before reaching such intersection or junction and as opportunity offers, move into the appropriate lane as indicated by the directional arrows to turn right and any driver or rider of a vehicle intending to turn to the left shall, as opportunity offers, move into the appropriate lane as indicated by the directional arrows to turn left.

Vehicle making right turn at road intersection or junction

8.—(1) The driver or rider of a vehicle stationary at or approaching a controlled intersection or junction of roads and wishing to turn to the right shall, as soon as the intersection or junction is open to the vehicle, move forward as near as possible to the centre of the intersection or junction and await a safe opportunity to complete the turn to the right.

(2) When turning the driver or rider of the vehicle shall proceed with due regard for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road.

Vehicle making left turn at controlled road intersection or junction

9.—(1) No driver or rider of a vehicle shall turn to the left at a controlled intersection or junction of roads when the signal facing such vehicle closes such intersection or junction, unless specifically permitted by these Rules so to turn.

(2) At particular intersections or junctions where the turn to the left into crossing traffic is permitted, notices, lines or signs as defined in the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33) shall be placed to indicate such permission; and in such case the driver or rider of the vehicle shall proceed with due regard for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road and of the traffic stream which the vehicle seeks to enter.

Vehicle to draw up or stop parallel and close to left-hand side of roadway

10.—(1) No person in charge of any vehicle shall draw up or stop the vehicle in any road except parallel with and close to the edge of the left-hand side of the roadway and facing the direction in which the traffic may lawfully move —

(a)	unless otherwise directed by notices, lines or signs or by a police officer in uniform engaged in the regulations of traffic; or
(b)	except within an authorised parking place in the centre of the road and as directed by notices or lines by a police officer in uniform engaged in the regulation of traffic,

and in any case in such manner as not to cause unnecessary obstruction or annoyance to persons using the road.

[S 211/2002 wef 10/05/2002]

(2) In a one-way road a vehicle may be drawn up or stopped on either side of the roadway but so that it faces the direction in which the traffic may lawfully move.

Vehicle at uncontrolled road intersection or junction

11.—(1) The driver or rider of a vehicle arriving at an uncontrolled intersection or junction of roads shall give way to any vehicle approaching him from his right or offside.

(2) The driver or rider of a vehicle arriving at an uncontrolled intersection or junction of a one-way road shall —

(a)	where the traffic flows from left to right, give way to any vehicle approaching him from his left or near side; and
(b)	where the traffic flows from right to left, give way to any vehicle approaching him from his right or offside.

(3) The driver or rider of a vehicle arriving at a roundabout shall give way to any vehicle or stream of vehicles immediately approaching him from his right or offside.

Ambulance, fire engine, etc., to have right of way

12.—(1) Any authorised ambulance or vehicle used as a fire engine or for military, police, civil defence or customs purposes shall, when on an urgent duty call, have the right of way over all other traffic if such vehicle makes known its approach by means of some distinctive siren, bell or multi-toned horn, as the case may be.

[S 1054/2021 wef 03/01/2022]

(2) All traffic shall on the approach of any such vehicle, draw in as close to the left-hand or right-hand edge of the roadway as possible and all vehicles shall be brought to a standstill to allow a clear passage for such vehicle.

(3) Such action shall only be required of traffic when the vehicle is giving its recognised audible warning.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not relieve the driver of any vehicle used for the purposes mentioned in that paragraph of his liability under the provisions of any law relating to dangerous, rash or negligent driving.

No vehicle to make U-turn at road intersection or junction

13.—(1) No driver or rider of any vehicle shall make a U-turn at any road intersection, road junction or opening in a road divider unless he is permitted to do so by a road sign.

(2) A driver or rider of any vehicle making a U-turn under paragraph (1) shall —

(a)	move as near as possible to the right-hand edge of the roadway;
(b)	give way to any on-coming vehicle; and
(c)	wait for a safe opportunity to complete the turn.

(3) A driver or rider of any vehicle making a U-turn under this rule shall do so after the U-turn sign.

Load on vehicle not to obstruct sight of driver

14. No part of a load or any covering placed over the load on a vehicle while it is on a road shall —

(a)	obstruct the sight of the driver either to the front or to either side or to the rear;
(b)	interfere with his ability to give the signals required by these Rules; or
(c)	render such signals wholly or partially invisible to persons using the roads.

15. [Deleted by S 635/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

16. [Deleted by S 635/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

Load projecting laterally on vehicles to have red flag or lamp affixed

17. Whenever a load or any covering placed over a load that is being transported on a vehicle projects laterally beyond the body or wheels of the vehicle or any authorised fitting permanently attached to the vehicle, a red flag by day and a red lamp by night shall be affixed to the extreme lateral projection (if any) and the extreme rear end of such load so as to be clearly visible and give adequate warning to other road users.

[S 635/2010 wef 01/11/2010]

Load on vehicles to be secured by ropes or other proper material

18. Whenever it is necessary to prevent the contents from falling out, the load on any vehicle on a road shall be secured by ropes or other proper material.

Side boards and tail board to be secured

19. No vehicle shall be used on a road unless its side boards and tail board (if any) are adequately secured so as to prevent them from swinging or projecting beyond the body or wheels of the vehicle or of any authorised fitting permanently attached to the vehicle.

Signals, other than those required under rule 2, to be used in certain circumstances

20. Whenever the size or construction of any vehicle or the size or nature of a load or of any covering over the load on such vehicle is such that the signals required by rule 2 when given are not fully visible to traffic approaching from the rear, a stop light and a direction indicator of an approved type as prescribed in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules (R 9), capable of indicating the intention of the driver of such vehicle, shall be affixed to the vehicle in such a position that the device is clearly visible to traffic approaching from the rear and shall be used to give the signals for stopping and turning to the right or left.

No vehicle to be left unattended without rendering it immovable

21. No vehicle which is on a public road or street shall be left unattended unless it is rendered immovable by the application of brakes or by some other sufficient means.

Restriction on parking of vehicles on roads

22. No person shall park a vehicle —

(a)

on any road between the edge of a roadway and any portion of an unbroken white line or unbroken double white lines laid down on such road;

(b)

on any road where unbroken double yellow lines are laid down, from the point where such lines commence to the point they end;

(c)

on the side of any road between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on any day except Sundays or gazetted public holidays if on that side of the road an unbroken yellow line is laid down;

(d)

on the grass verge of a road;

(e)

within any pedestrian crossing;

(f)

within 6 metres of an intersection or junction of any road or street;

(g)

within 9 metres of a bus stop —

(i)	from the edge of the yellow demarcated box; or
(ii)	from the tip of a bus bay,

except when the vehicle breaks down owing to a defect in the vehicle or its tyres;

[S 211/2002 wef 10/05/2002]

(h)

within 3 metres on either side of any fire hydrant;

[S 67/2005 wef 14/02/2005]

(i)

on any slip road or filter lane;

[S 211/2002 wef 10/05/2002]

[S 171/2017 wef 22/04/2017]

(j)

on any fly-over, underpass or the ramps leading to any fly-over or underpass; and

[S 211/2002 wef 10/05/2002]

[S 171/2017 wef 22/04/2017]

(k)

along the length of any road starting from the point where red transverse lines of not less than 1,000 mm in width are laid down perpendicular to the edge of the road, to the point those lines end.

[S 171/2017 wef 22/04/2017]

Restriction on repairing of vehicles on roads

23. No person shall repair a vehicle or permit a vehicle to be repaired on a road except in the case of an accident or a sudden breakdown where minor repair on the spot is necessary to enable the vehicle to be moved.

Restriction on stopping or parking of vehicles at taxi stops and taxi stands

24. A person must not stop or park any vehicle other than a taxi at a taxi stop or taxi stand.

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

Restrictions on parking of vehicles within Demerit Points No Parking Zone

24A. No person shall park any vehicle within a Demerit Points No Parking Zone.

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

Restrictions on stopping of vehicles within Demerit Points No Stopping Zone

24B. No person shall stop any vehicle within a Demerit Points No Stopping Zone.

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

Restriction on stopping or parking of vehicles to load and unload goods

25. No person shall stop or park any vehicle on any part of a road which is marked by perpendicular yellow lines for the purpose of loading or unloading goods —

(a)

on Mondays to Fridays (with the exception of gazetted public holidays) between the hours of —

(i)	7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.;
(ii)	12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m.; and
(iii)	4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and

(b)

on Saturdays (with the exception of gazetted public holidays) between the hours of —

(i)	7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.; and
(ii)	12 noon and 2 p.m.

Causing obstruction to vehicles proceeding along road junction

26. Any person who drives or rides, or turns a vehicle or part thereof into a yellow box indicated by yellow lines connecting the 4 corners of —

(a)	a road junction and hatching the junction diagonally, notwithstanding that the light signals controlling the movement of vehicular traffic permit him to do so; or
(b)	an area of road at a road junction or on any part of the road as defined under rule 7(8) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33), notwithstanding that he has the right of way, [S 764/2013 wef 20/12/2013]

and by doing so causes obstruction to any other vehicle proceeding to or along that road junction or any part of the road shall be guilty of an offence.

Vehicles to give way to and not to obstruct buses entering, etc., Bus Give-Way Box

26A.—(1) Where —

(a)	a bus is entering a Bus Give-Way Box from a bus stop or a bus bay; or [S 113/2016 wef 21/03/2016]
(b)	a bus which is at a bus stop, or a bus bay, stops before entering a Bus Give-Way Box and the driver of the bus signals his intention to turn the bus into the Bus Give-Way Box, [S 113/2016 wef 21/03/2016]

the driver or rider of a vehicle, driving or riding the vehicle in a Bus Give-Way Controlled Area and approaching the Bus Give-Way Box, shall stop before the Bus Give-Way Line and give way to the bus entering or waiting to enter the Bus Give-Way Box.

(2) No person shall drive or ride any vehicle in, or cause or permit any vehicle to remain in, a Bus Give-Way Box so as to cause obstruction to any bus entering or about to enter the Bus Give-Way Box from a bus stop or a bus bay.

[S 652/2008 wef 20/12/2008]

[S 113/2016 wef 21/03/2016]

No standing in carriageway at bus stop, bus terminus, taxi stand or taxi stop

26B. A person must not stand on or be present in any part of an area of a carriageway at a bus stop, bus terminus, taxi stand or taxi stop if —

(a)	that area is meant for an omnibus or taxi to pick up or set down passengers, and is marked on the road by means of yellow lines; and
(b)	a bus stand or pavement is adjacent to that area.

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

No unauthorised persons in bus park area

26C.—(1) A person must not at any time be present in any part of a bus terminus or bus interchange —

(a)	that is intended for the parking of an omnibus or any other authorised bus, or in which an omnibus or authorised bus may be driven; and
(b)	that is not demarcated for access by pedestrians,

unless the person —

(i)

is an authorised officer acting in the course of the authorised officer’s duty;

(ii)

is a driver of —

(A)	an authorised bus; or
(B)	an omnibus for a bus service that is operated by an omnibus operator occupying or using that bus terminus or bus interchange; or

(iii)

is a person who has been expressly authorised by the Registrar, an authorised officer or an employee of the omnibus operator occupying or using that bus terminus or bus interchange to be present in that part of that bus terminus or bus interchange.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to —

(a)	any bus terminus or bus interchange which is adjacent to, and not separated (whether completely or partially) by any kerb from, a carriageway; or
(b)	any road over which any motor vehicle may lawfully pass.

(3) In paragraph (1), “authorised bus” means any bus in respect of which approval has been given by the Registrar for the bus to be parked at or driven in the bus terminus or bus interchange concerned.

[S 365/2016 wef 29/07/2016]

Vehicles used in connection with road works to carry red flags or lamps to ensure safety

27. Every vehicle used in connection with any road works shall carry sufficient red flags by day and sufficient red lamps by night to ensure the safety of road users and such flags or lamps shall be placed near the vehicle in such positions as to give adequate warning to approaching traffic.

No vehicle to be driven, parked or ridden on footway of road

28.—(1) No vehicle, unless and to the extent excepted under paragraph (2) or (3), shall be driven, parked or ridden on the footway of a road.

[S 190/2012 wef 11/05/2012]

[S 246/2018 wef 01/05/2018]

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not prevent any police officer in uniform from performing or discharging police duties.

[S 190/2012 wef 11/05/2012]

(3) Paragraph (1) does not prevent the driving or riding of any of the following on the footway of a road:

(a)	a bicycle;
(b)	a power‑assisted bicycle;
(c)	a personal mobility device (including a recumbent device and a three-wheeled pedal cycle); [S 163/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(d)	a mobility scooter (within the meaning given by the Active Mobility Act 2017 (Act 3 of 2017));
(e)	a wheelchair (within the meaning given by the Active Mobility Act 2017), whether motorised or otherwise;
(f)	a pram, stroller or trolley, inline skates or roller‑skates;
(g)	a wheeled toy (within the meaning given by the Active Mobility Act 2017).

[S 246/2018 wef 01/05/2018]

29. [Deleted by S 715/2019 wef 01/11/2019]

No vehicle to be washed or cleaned on road

30. No person shall wash or clean or cause or permit to be washed or cleaned any vehicle on a road.

No collection of persons to obstruct or prevent free flow of traffic

31. No crowd or collection of persons shall remain in any road so as to obstruct or prevent the free flow of traffic.

Animals on road or footway

32.—(1) No person shall —

(a)	train, drive or ride;
(b)	expose for sale; or
(c)	lead, leave unattended or wash,

any animal on a road or the footway thereof.

(2) Paragraph (1)(c) shall not apply to dogs.

(3) Sheep or goats shall only be driven on a road between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m. and shall be accompanied by a sufficient number of drovers to control them.

(4) A person leading or riding a horse on a road shall have proper control over the horse and shall not cause any danger or obstruction to traffic.

Portable warning sign to be carried by heavy motor vehicle

33.—(1) No person shall drive or cause to be driven on a road a heavy motor vehicle unless there is carried on that vehicle a portable warning sign of a type approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

[S 42/2015 wef 01/02/2015]

(2) Where a heavy motor vehicle is broken down or disabled and is standing on a road, the driver or person in charge of the vehicle shall forthwith place or cause to be placed on the road at a distance of not less than 20 metres from the rear of the vehicle the portable warning sign referred to in paragraph (1) so as to give a warning of danger visible to drivers of other vehicles on that road.

(2A) Once a type of portable warning sign is approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Police for the purposes of paragraph (1), he must, as soon as practicable, cause to be published in the Gazette a notification specifying each type of portable warning sign so approved by him.

[S 42/2015 wef 01/02/2015]

(2B) However, failure to comply with paragraph (2A) in respect of any type of portable warning sign does not invalidate the approval for that type of portable warning sign.

[S 42/2015 wef 01/02/2015]

(3) In this rule, “heavy motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle whose unladen weight exceeds 2,500 kg.

No vehicle to display mark for chauffeured private hire car

34.—(1) A person must not affix or cause to be affixed, or display or cause to be displayed, on any vehicle that is not a chauffeured private hire car, a decalcomania or other label bearing the chauffeured private hire car marking for chauffeured private hire cars set out in the Fifth Schedule to the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Rules (R 14).

(2) In this rule, “chauffeured private hire car” means a motor car which is the subject of a chauffeured private hire car licence within the meaning of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Rules.

[S 363/2017 wef 01/07/2017]

Motor cyclists to switch on headlamps when riding

35.—(1) The rider of a motor cycle shall keep the headlamp of his motor cycle lit whenever the motor cycle is in motion.

(2) For the purpose of this rule, “headlamp” means a lamp on a motor cycle which is designed, when lit, to illuminate the road in front of the motor cycle.

Restriction on carriage of child pillion passengers

36. No person riding a motor cycle or scooter on a road shall carry any child below 10 years of age as a pillion passenger.

Prescribed breath alcohol analyser

37. For the purposes of sections 70 and 71A of the Act, the prescribed breath alcohol analyser is the Drager Alcotest 9510 SG.

[S 42/2015 wef 01/02/2015]

[S 77/2017 wef 01/03/2017]

[G.N. Nos. S 171/81; S 266/81; S 101/86; S 350/89; S 222/91; S 299/91; S 460/94; S 167/95; S 298/95; S 477/95; S 620/98; S 81/99]

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