Being cautious on the roads is vital, and following speed limits is not just for safety reasons. It’ll save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Going over the speed limit in Singapore can lead to a fine and tarnish your driving record.
However, many Singapore drivers are still no strangers to the speeding fine in Singapore. Exceeding the speed limit remains a common traffic offence.
But if you understand the law and the consequences of speeding, avoiding fines can make you more aware and mindful as you drive.
1. What Happens If You’re Caught Speeding In Singapore?
Getting caught speeding in Singapore will have several consequences. For one, this will lead you to rack up demerit points in your record. Secondly, you’ll have to face the Court and most likely end up paying the speeding fine.
The authorities may even suspend or revoke your licence if you’ve committed another road traffic-related speeding offence.
In Singapore, speeding is a strict liability offence. This means you’re liable for speeding, regardless of your intentions during that time. If caught driving the vehicle beyond the speed limit, you have committed an offence.
However, there are unique instances wherein the police or prosecution may exercise discretion. They may charge you with a lesser offence or not charge you with an offence altogether.
For example, you may be slapped with more severe penalties if you’re caught with reckless and dangerous driving in addition to exceeding the speed limit.
2. What Is The Law On Speeding In Singapore?
Singapore’s Road Traffic Act governs road traffic and speeding-related offences. According to Section 63 of the RTA, a person is said to have committed an offence if they drive at a speed above the specified speed limit for that road, regardless of the vehicle class.
The specified speed limit depends on the type of road, road users, and surrounding location (agricultural, industrial, or residential).
- Type of road: The speed limit is generally lower if the road or thoroughfare has many twists and turns.
- Road users: The speed limit for the road is typically lower if the majority of road users are elderly or young kids.
- Surrounding location: Roads in residential spaces will generally have lower speed limits.
3. What Is The Speed Limit In Singapore?
Generally, the speed limit in Singapore ranges from 30 km/h to 90 km/h. More information on the speed limits is further outlined under Section 2 of the Road Traffic (Restriction of Speed on Roads) Notification.
For example, in some sections of the West Coast Highway, the speed limit is 30 km/h. Meanwhile, the speed limit is 60 km/h, and 90 km/h in some sections of Admiralty Road and Ayer Rajah Expressway, respectively.
If the area is a school zone, some road sections will have a speed limit of 40 km/h for all motor vehicles, depending on certain times of the day or if a school event is ongoing.
40 km/h is the speed limit for school zones at these times of the day:
- 6:30 AM and 7:45 AM
- 12 PM and 2:30 PM
- 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Drivers will be aware of this reduced speed limit via flashing traffic light signals that read “School zone, 40 km/h in effect”.
Section 2(3) of the Road Traffic Notification also states that the speed limit for motor vehicles in Silver Zones should not exceed 40 km/h.
Silver Zones are stretches of roads with added road safety features. These safety features cater to all pedestrians, especially the elderly or the handicapped.
Other enhanced features include highly-visible road markings, wider centre road dividers, or chicanes (artificially-added narrowing on the road).
If there are no specified speed limits or restrictions for a particular stretch of road, the speed limit is generally understood to be 50 km/h. However, this still depends on the restrictions mentioned above (i.e., school zones and Silver Zones).
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) further imposes speed limits for different types of motor vehicles.
On normal roads, the speed limit remains at 50 km/h for all cars, buses, motorcycles, coaches, and light commercial vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes and/or a 15-passenger seating capacity).
On expressways, coaches and buses can only travel at a maximum speed of 60 km/h, while the speed limit for light commercial vehicles is 60-70 km/h. Motor vehicles such as cars and motorcycles may reach 70-90 km/h on expressways.
Buses and coaches are limited to 50-60 km/h in tunnels, while light commercial vehicles can reach 50-70 km/h. Cars and motorcycles passing tunnels can reach speeds between 50-80 km/h.
However, certain types of vehicles are exempted from the speed limit. Section 3 of the Road Traffic Notification designates these vehicles as:
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Government used-motor vehicles
- Motor vehicles used by the Singapore Police Force or the Singapore Civil Defence Force
4. What Is The Penalty For Speeding In Singapore?
If caught speeding, you may be slapped with any of the following penalties, depending on the nature and speeding offence you’ve committed:
- Demerit points
- Composition fines
- Revocation or suspension of your driver’s licence
- Prosecution in Court
Demerit Points
Under the Driver Improvement Points System (DPS), the driver will receive demerit points against their record if caught exceeding the speed limit in Singapore.
The number of demerit points depends on the driving speed. The driver will be made aware of how many demerit points they’ve received and their demerit status.
The DPS scheme currently awards demerit points (as follows). The figures on the left indicate how much the speed limit was exceeded, with corresponding demerit points on the right:
- 1-20 km/h – 4 demerit points
- 21-30 km/h – 6 demerit points
- 31-40 km/h – 8 demerit points
- 41-50 km/h – 12 demerit points
- 51-60 km/h – 18 demerit points
- Beyond 60km/h – 24 demerit points
However, demerit points can be erased from a driver’s record as long as they meet the following conditions:
- They do not accrue more demerit points for 12 consecutive months following their latest driving offence.
- (If qualified), they apply for a Safe Driving Course (SDC), which will remove 4 demerit points from their record upon successful completion of the driving course.
There are also certain conditions you must meet before qualifying to take the SDC (which can be taken only twice in 10 years):
- You must have a valid driver’s licence
- You don’t have an existing suspension record and have accrued 8 to 23 demerit points.
- You have an existing suspension record and have 4 to 11 demerit points.
You won’t be qualified for the SDC removal if:
- You’re a probationary driver
- Your driver’s licence is liable for suspension
- Your driver’s licence is under Court disqualification
- You’ve completed an SDC in the previous year
Composition Fines
Drivers with pending speeding offences can pay money (called a composition fine) to avoid Court prosecution. The amount will depend on the vehicle’s speed and weight during the offence.
For example, driving beyond the speed limit by 40 km/h or less is considered a minor traffic offence. You will be asked to pay a composition fine instead of facing Court prosecution. You will be issued a ticket notice which reads: “Offer of Composition”.
Failure to pay the composition fine before the offer has expired or refusing to contest the speeding charge means you’ll have to pay the original Court fine. This is usually higher than the composition fine.
Composition fines are currently at $150-300 for light vehicles and $200-$400 for heavy vehicles, depending on the extent of the speeding offence.
Revocation Or Suspension Of Your Driver’s Licence
New and probationary drivers who have committed speeding offences will have their licence revoked and rendered invalid if they accumulate 13 (or more) demerit points during their probationary period.
You’ll need to retake the Traffic Police Theory exam and other practical tests to get a new driver’s licence.
Non-probationary drivers with no prior suspension records will have their licence suspended for up to 12 weeks if they accrue 24 or more demerit points within 12 succeeding months.
Non-probationary drivers who have been suspended once prior will have their licence suspended for up to 36 months (depending on how many times they’ve been suspended before) if they accrue 12 or more demerit points within 12 succeeding months.
Prosecution In Court
You are considered to have committed a serious driving offence if you exceed the speed limit by more than 40km/h. In this case, authorities will not issue you an “Offer of Composition”. They’ll order you to appear in Court instead.
Repeat offenders exceeding the speed limit above 40 km/h will be punished three times more than the Court punishment for a first offence, subject to 10 years of jail time.
Conclusion About Speeding Fines In Singapore
Speeding is a dangerous and severe offence. Driving beyond the designated speed limit endangers not only yourself but others, especially pedestrians on the road.
If you’ve been held liable for a speeding offence and need legal recourse, consult with a Singapore criminal lawyer to help.
Call The Singapore Lawyer at +65 6974 0068 or email us at [email protected]
for more information. We offer a free 30-minute consultation for first-time clients, discussing the particulars of their case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speeding Fines In Singapore
Can Speeding Offences Affect Your Future?
Speeding offences like demerit points are not permanent and can be erased from your record if you display good driving behaviour for 12 consecutive months.
Additionally, speeding offences will not be registered under the Registration of Criminals Act. This means you won’t have a criminal record if you’ve previously had speeding offences.
However, if you’re convicted of reckless or dangerous driving causing death, it will appear on your criminal record. You must exhibit five years of crime-free behaviour before authorities clear your record.
Do I Need To Disclose Speeding Offences To Employers?
A speeding offence will generally not appear on your criminal record. You won’t have to disclose such information to your future employers. But if your offence warranted a conviction in a Court of Law, you will have to declare it.
How Far Can Speed Cameras Detect Vehicles In Singapore?
Speed cameras in Singapore can generally detect up to 800 metres and lock onto a vehicle within 0.3-0.7 seconds.
What Happens If You Exceed The Speed Limit In Singapore?
Traffic offences in Singapore, such as driving beyond the 40 km/h speed limit, can lead to a $1,000 fine and a 3-month jail time for first-time offenders.
