Road signs in Singapore
Road signs in Singapore closely follow those laid down in the traffic sign regulations used in the United Kingdom, although a number of changes over the years have introduced some slight deviations that suit local road conditions (such as fonts). Road signs in Singapore conform to the local Highway Code under the authority of the Singapore Traffic Police.
The Highway Code of Singapore Traffic Police is tested during the Basic Theory Test and Final Theory Test at either Ubi, Bukit Batok or Woodlands driving schools. The students are then to find either a school or private driving instructor to learn driving itself. Singaporean road signs depict people with realistic (as opposed to stylised) silhouettes.
No official name is given to the typeface used on all official signs. Recently, road signs in Singapore used DIN 1451 typeface.
Since the mid-1990s, signs have been placed on a backing board making them square or rectangular and standardised to a width of 600 mm on most roads and 900 mm on expressways. Prior to the 1990s and after 1964, signs were cut out to their shape (e.g.: round signs were cut to be circular) as in most countries around the world. Prior to the 1964, signs were in the pre-Worboys style with a couple of differences.
Singapore traffic signs use the English Language, one of the four official languages and the main language in the country. The three others – Malay, Chinese, and Tamil, and also Japanese, – are also used for important public places such as tourist attractions, airports and immigration checkpoints.
Warning signs[]
Warning signs indicate possible dangers or unusual conditions ahead and alert motorists, so they may anticipate the appropriate actions to take. They are usually shaped as triangles with a red border, and mounted on a borderless white backing board, which is similar to the United Kingdom traffic sign.
Danger ahead
Other dangers; plate beneath will state nature of the danger
Restricted Zone ahead
Electronic Road Pricing (road toll) gantry ahead
Road hump
Uneven road
Road narrows on right (Left if symbol is reversed)
Road narrows on both sides ahead
Two-way traffic crosses a one-way road
Two-way traffic ahead
Lanes merge ahead
Double bend first to left (Right if the symbol is reversed)
Dual carriageway ends
Crossroads
Side road on left
Side road on right
T-junction
Traffic merging from left behind
Road slippery when wet
Staggered junction
Steep ascent
Steep descent
Quayside or river bank ahead
Tunnel ahead
Traffic signals in use ahead (Commonly used in bends.)
Low flying aircraft
Roundabout ahead
Zebra crossing ahead
Bend to the right ahead (left if the symbol is reversed)
Advance warning of a height restriction ahead
Children ahead - School crossing patrol
Animals crossing road ahead
Pedestrians on road ahead
Elderly or blind people ahead
Slow down
Maintain a slow speed to anticipate hazards ahead
Bridge with low headroom ahead
Curve alignment marker (Bend to left; right if chevron is reversed)
Sharp deviation to the left (right if chevrons are reversed) Road
Extended curve alignment marker / 'Waveline' (Bend to left; right if chevrons are reversed)
Regulatory signs[]
Regulatory signs either give positive instructions, i.e. Mandatory signs, or indicate a prohibition, i.e. Prohibitionary signs. Many regulatory signs are accompanied by supplementary plates that provide interdependent exceptions to the rule, or indicates additional instruction or information to facilitate understanding of the rule implemented.
Mandatory signs[]
Mandatory signs are generally circular with a white border and symbol on a blue background. They usually indicate something all drivers must do (e.g. keep left) or a facility available to certain classes of traffic (e.g. pedal cycles only).
Ahead only (Turning left and right is prohibited)
Turn left ahead (right if symbol is reversed)
Turn left (right if symbol is reversed)
Keep left (Right if symbol is reversed)
Split-way, i.e. motorists can pass to either side, but either side might not reach the same destination
Route to be used by pedal cycles only
The exceptions are the octagonal red STOP sign, the temporary STOP and GO signs and the triangular GIVE WAY sign.
Stop and give way
Give way
Prohibitory signs[]
Prohibitory signs, which generally tell drivers what they must not do, are mostly circular and have a red border. The red ring indicates the prohibition; diagonal bars are used only on signs which prohibit a specific manoeuvre, i.e. banned left or right turns and U-turns, or a certain class of vehicle, i.e. lorries (some signs looks similar to design of Australia).
No entry for all vehicular traffic
No left turn
No right turn
No lorries
No vehicles with 3 axles or more
No vehicles carrying explosives
No pedal cycles
No waiting
No stopping
No overtaking
No sounding of the vehicle horn
No jaywalking
No jaywalking in the bus park
Diagonal bars are excluded when restrictions are quantitative in nature, i.e. limits in speed, weight, axle, height, and width.
No vehicles over height shown
No vehicles over width shown
No vehicles over weight shown
Maximum speed limit in kilometres per hour (km/h)
Information signs[]
Information signs are signs that may be mounted to indicate a certain condition or nature of the road ahead that motorists need to take note. They are independent of existing mandatory and prohibitive signs. Such signs are usually white or blue and rectangular in shape.
Indication of a U-turn lane, on the lane closest to the road divider or carriageway
One way traffic ahead (Turning left and right is permitted)
One-way traffic in direction indicated (left)
Zebra crossing
Pedal cycle crossing
Parking Area for Motorcars - Coupon Payment (in Transport typeface)
Parking Area for Motorcycles - Coupon Payment (in Transport typeface)
No through road
No through road on the left ahead
No through road on the right ahead
Left turn at controlled junction on red light permitted for motorists, as long as the motorist gives way to traffic on the major road and pedestrians crossing the road
Reminder to look out & give way to pedestrians crossing when making a right turn
Advisory Give-way-to-buses-exiting-bus-bay rule ahead
Mandatory Give-way-to-buses-exiting-bus-bay rule ahead
Indication of speed limit enforcement cameras
Indication of enforcement cameras used at traffic lights
Start of Expressway and point from which expressway regulations apply
End of Expressway
Layout of traffic lanes ahead ("Get in lane")
Expressway name and distance marker
Temporary work-zone signs[]
Temporary work-zone signs are mounted to ensure roads keep a free flow of traffic despite being affected by road works in the vicinity. It closely follows the American MUTCD traffic sign (e.g. vermillion diamond, vermillion rectangular or amber rectangular-shaped signs).
Advance sign of road works ahead
Indication of road stretch affected by road works
Entry to works area
Heavy vehicles turning ahead
Heavy vehicles turning ahead
Layout of lanes ahead
Layout of lanes ahead
Road narrows on right ahead
Temporary mandatory speed limit (40 km/h)
Traffic lights in use ahead
Bend to right (Left if symbol is reversed)
Supplementary plate to specify direction indicated for temporary road rule
Single lane traffic
Curve Alignment Marker (Bend to direction indicated)
Detour for pedestrians in direction indicated (Right)
Advance sign of detour ahead
Detour in direction indicated at junction (Right)
Directional signs[]
- Signs indicating destinations reached via expressways has white lettering on a blue background.
- Signs indicating destinations reached via other roads have white lettering on a green background.
- Signs indicating local destinations have black lettering on a white background.
- Signs indicating recreational facilities and landmarks have white lettering on a brown background.
On approach to a junction (single direction)
On approach to a junction (top white plate indicates the name of the road crossed at the junction)
At the junction
On approach to a roundabout
On approach to exit junctions on an expressway
At a numbered exit junction on an expressway
Get in lane with respect to the destinations stated above each downward-pointing lane arrow
Direction to a local destination
Direction to a place of interest
Direction to a place of interest, as part of another sign
Road markings[]
Along the side of the road[]
No parking between 7 am to 7 pm (Daily with the exception of Sundays and Public Holidays)
No parking at any time, unless there are signs that specifically indicate seasonal restrictions.
No waiting at any time, unless there are signs that specifically indicate seasonal restrictions.
Clearway (No stopping) on that side of the road at any time
Indication of a zebra crossing ahead. See Zebra Crossing rules below.
Edge line (used along roads, not in built-up areas, or divide the road shoulder of an expressway from the inside lane)
Road dividers[]
Keep left of the divider
Keep left of the diagonally hatched divider
Keep left of the divider; no waiting on either side of the road at any time
Keep left of the unbroken diagonally hatched divider; No crossing of the divider
Keep left of the divider; no stopping and no crossing of the divider in either direction at any time.
Zebra crossing ahead; keep left of the divider. See Zebra Crossing rules below.
Zebra crossing rules[]
Two flashing Belisha Beacon are positioned, one on each side of the road, at a zebra crossing, which flashes from 7 pm to 7 am daily, indicating to an approaching motorist of a zebra crossing. Older crossings display the blue square zebra crossing signs on both sides (see above), which are synonymous to the flashing amber beacons, and are valid yet uncommon on the roads. The road markings and road dividers are white zig-zag lines that indicate a zebra crossing in the vicinity, similar to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland Zebra crossing rules.
On approach, regardless of the absence of any pedestrians, all motorists are required to keep left of the divider, prepare to stop and stay in their respective lanes, i.e. no overtaking is permitted.
When pedestrians are present at the side of a zebra crossing, all motorists are obligated to give priority to pedestrians crossing the zebra crossing bars, by stopping before the white line across the lane. No waiting is permitted within the vicinity of the zebra crossing.
A sign indicating a pedestrian crossing or a 'SLOW' painted on the road may be present as well.
Obsolete[]
Post-Worboys[]
No U-turn (1964-1990s)
Indication of a U-turn lane, on the lane closest to the road divider or carriageway (1964-1990s)
Level crossing with gates (prior to June 2011)
Level crossing with no gates (prior to June 2011)
Level crossing (prior to June 2011)
Pre-Worboys[]
Pedestrian Crossing
Slow Down
No Entry, Wrong Way
Turn Right, No Left Turn
Turn Left, No Right Turn
Keep Right
Road Works Ahead
No Through Road For Motor Vehicles
No Entry
No Right Turn
Cross Roads
Turn Left
Keep Left
Road Works Ahead
Ford
No Waiting
No Entry
No Cycling
Speed Limit
National Speed Limit Applies
Parking
Cross Roads
Speed Limit except Built-up Areas
Turn Right
Roundabout
No Left Turn
Signals Ahead
Two Way Traffic
Level Crossing with No Gates
See also[]
References[]
- Singapore Official Highway Code (Basic Theory of Driving) Seventh Edition. ISBN 978-981-04-0567-0 . Published 2008 by Pacific Communications Pte Ltd under the authority of the Traffic Police.
External links[]
- Roads in Singapore
- Road signs by country