Speeding Fine In Singapore: Drivers, Read This!

Going over the speed limit is one of Singapore’s most common traffic offences. Motorists are prone to carelessly going 60 km/h in 40 km/h zones without considering the consequences.

Not only will breaking the speed limit tarnish a clean driving record, but it will also result in a speeding fine and a possible suspension of your driver’s licence.

In addition, you’ve unknowingly endangered pedestrians and vulnerable citizens with your careless driving.

Understanding the speeding fine in Singapore is the right and safe thing to do. It saves you a lot of money in the long run and ensures a clean driving record.

Getting caught speeding will do you no favours. So if you want to keep Singapore roads safe and pedestrian-friendly, there are quite a few things to know about the speeding fine and speed limits. Let’s discuss.

What’s The Speed Limit In Singapore?

Breaking the speed limit will always result in a speeding fine, no matter the circumstances. In Singapore, speed limits are outlined under Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act (Restriction of Speed on Roads) Notification.

For example, some sections of the West Coast Highway have a speed limit of 30 km/h. Meanwhile, the speed limits in certain zones of Admiralty Road and Ayer Rajah Expressway range between 80-90 km/h.

However, these speed limits apply only to major thoroughfares, with a high volume of vehicles passing daily.

For some areas, like designated school zones, speed limits are kept at 40 km/h at certain times or when there is an ongoing school event. Motorists will often be alerted of the reduced speed limit through flashing traffic signs or signals.

There is also such a thing as a Silver Zone on Singapore roads, which have much lower speed limits. Silver Zones are long stretches of roads catering to pedestrians, specifically the elderly or the disabled.

Speed limits in Silver Zones vary between 30-40 km/h, ensuring maximum safety for all non-motorists or passers-by.

But unless otherwise stated (e.g., there are certain road restrictions and exceptions in place), Singapore’s speed limit is generally 50 km/h.

Where Does The 50 km/h Speed Limit Apply To?

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforces the 50 km/h speed limit on most roads for all motor vehicles, including cars, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, buses, and coaches. This speed limit applies primarily to urban areas and regular highways, ensuring that drivers adhere to safe driving standards in built-up zones.

However, the LTA has set different speed limits for certain vehicles depending on their size and capacity.

For instance, on expressways, buses and light commercial vehicles have a limit of 60 km/h, while cars and motorcycles can travel at speeds of 70-90 km/h.

In tunnels, the speed limit for all motor vehicles is lower, ranging from 50 to 80 km/h, depending on the vehicle type. For light vehicles, the limit is between 50-70 km/h, whereas buses and coaches are restricted to 50-60 km/h.

Breaking the speed limit in these zones can lead to a speeding fine in Singapore, with varying penalties based on the vehicle and the speed exceeded.

What Are The Penalties For Speeding In Singapore?

To answer the question “What is the speeding fine in Singapore?” it varies on the type of road, vehicle, and designated zones.

A car going 100 km/h on an expressway may have a harsher speeding offence than a bus travelling 65 km/h on the same road.

Speeding is a serious offence. Singapore’s Traffic Police will usually have a case-by-case approach in dealing with traffic offenders.

Apart from the speeding fine, there are other penalties for going above the vehicular speed limit on Singapore roads:

• Demerit Points
• Composition Fines
• Court Prosecution
• Suspension of Driving Licence

Demerit Points

Singapore has set up a demerit points system known as the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS) to discourage motorists from speeding.

If a driver goes over the speed limit, it will land in their record and result in demerit points against them. The number of demerit points will depend on how far they’ve exceeded the speed limit.

After they’re caught speeding, road traffic authorities will notify the driver of how many demerit points they’ve received and their demerit status.

Under the DIPS, a motorist (with no previous suspension record with the Traffic Police) who has had 24 or more demerit points on his record in 24 months will be suspended from driving for 12 weeks.

But if the motorist has a previous driving suspension record and has accumulated 12 or more demerit points in 12 consecutive months, their driving licence could also be suspended.

Demerit points in Singapore are currently awarded as follows (table) Fortunately, demerit points won’t be on your record forever. We’ll discuss below how you can erase them.

Removing Demerit Points From Your Driving Record

If you’ve accumulated demerit points from a speeding offence in Singapore, you can have them removed from your record.

For example, if you were speeding at 40 km/h in a 50 km/h zone and received 6 demerit points, these points can be erased if you maintain good driving behaviour for 12 months without committing any new offences.

Another way to reduce your demerit points is by attending the Safe Driving Course (SDC), which can remove 4 points from your record. However, not everyone qualifies for the SDC. You may attend if you meet the following conditions:

• You hold a valid driving licence.
• You have no existing suspension record and have accumulated between 8 and 23 demerit points.
• If you have an existing suspension record, you need to have between 4 and 11 demerit points.

Those who cannot attend the Safe Driving Course include:

• Drivers who are under probation or have had their licence suspended.
• Drivers who have been disqualified by the Court.
• Drivers who have completed an SDC within the last year.

Also, a driver can only attend an SDC twice in any ten-year period. Failure to comply with speed limits and traffic laws could lead to severe penalties, including speeding fines and potential suspension of your driving licence.

Avoiding these penalties by attending the SDC or following road regulations will keep your record clean and prevent hefty speeding fines in Singapore.

How Demerit Points Affect Your Driver’s Record

Demerit points stay on a driver’s record for a long time, and they can lead to a licence suspension or revocation if not addressed.

However, drivers who exhibit crime-free behaviour for 12 consecutive months can have their demerit points erased. Additionally, attending a Safe Driving Course (SDC) may help reduce points from a minor traffic offence.

Composition Fines

A composition fine refers to money paid to avoid court prosecution. Composition fines will depend on the vehicle’s weight and how much the driver has exceeded the speed limit.

For example, minor speeding offences that involve going above 40 km/h or less will result in a composition fine instead of Court prosecution.

You will receive a ticket notice stating “Offer of Composition,” payable at any AXS station.

As of writing, composition fines range from $150-$300 for light vehicles, and $200-$400 for heavy vehicles, depending on how much the driver has exceeded the speed limit.

Court Prosecution

You’ll have committed a serious driving offence if you exceed the speed limit by more than 40 km/h. In this case, you won’t receive an Offer in Composition. Instead, you’ll need to face prosecution in Court.

For repeat offenders who have exceeded the 40 km/h speed limit in several instances, the Court is within its discretion to enact a punishment three times that of a first-time offender.

Repeat offenders may also expect up to 10 years in jail.

Suspension Of Driving Licence

According to the Road Traffic Act, your driving licence may be suspended if it’s not in the public interest for you to hold a licence.

This punishment is often meted out to serious driving offences, wherein the driver is deemed incompetent to operate a motor vehicle.

You may be liable for revocation or suspension of your driving licence, depending on your driver’s status and record:

Non-Probationary Drivers

Drivers who have not been suspended before but have accumulated 24 or more demerit points within 24 consecutive months will be suspended for 12 weeks.

Drivers with a prior suspension record and who have accumulated 12 or more demerit points within 12 consecutive months will also be liable for suspension.

The suspension length will often depend on the number of times the driver has been previously suspended.

Probationary Or New Drivers

New or probationary drivers who’ve gathered 13 or more demerit points will have their licence revoked in the same year.

This renders the licence invalid, and the driver will have to reapply and retake all required driver’s tests to get a new licence.

How Much Is The Fine For Speeding In Singapore?

Speeding in Singapore is taken very seriously, and fines are imposed based on how much a driver exceeds the speed limit. The Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS), introduced by the Traffic Police in 1983, is in place to monitor traffic violations, and it penalises motorists who commit traffic offences such as speeding. Drivers who are caught speeding will receive both demerit points and a composition fine. The severity of the fine and points depends on how far over the speed limit the driver was travelling. Below is a breakdown of the fines and demerit points for different speeding offences.

Speeding Fine And Demerit Points Breakdown:

As shown in the table, if you exceed the speed limit by just 1 to 20 km/h, you will receive a composition fine and 4 demerit points. However, if you are caught driving at more than 60 km/h above the limit, you will face 24 demerit points and be prosecuted in Court.

Repeat Offenders And Escalating Penalties

For repeat offenders, the penalties escalate, and they risk having their driving licence suspended or revoked. Under the DIPS, drivers with no prior suspensions who accumulate 24 demerit points or more within a 24-month period will face a 12-week suspension of their licence.

If the driver has a previous suspension record, their licence can be suspended again after accumulating just 12 demerit points within a 12-month period. Here’s what the suspension looks like for repeat offenders:

• 2nd suspension: 24 weeks
• 3rd suspension: 1 year
• 4th suspension: 2 years
• 5th suspension (and onwards): 3 years

For new drivers or those on probation, accumulating 13 or more demerit points within the first 12 months will result in an automatic revocation of their driving licence, forcing them to retake both theory and practical tests after a 12-month waiting period.

Demerit Points In Silver Zones And School Zones

Starting 1 July 2021, traffic offences committed in Silver Zones and School Zones come with stricter penalties.

Motorists committing a minor traffic offence in these areas will receive two additional demerit points on top of the regular penalties, and the composition fine will be increased by $100. This is to enhance safety for vulnerable pedestrians like the elderly and students.

For example, if a driver is caught exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h in a Silver Zone or School Zone, they will receive 8 demerit points and a fine of $400 for light vehicles, which is $100 more than the regular fine.

What Are The Speeding Fines In Singapore For First-Time Driving?

First-time drivers face stricter penalties for speeding in Singapore due to their inexperience and the potential risk they pose to other road users. The demerit point system holds new drivers to a higher standard, with a lower tolerance for speeding offences compared to more experienced drivers.

Penalties For First-Time Speeding Offenders

For first-time offenders caught exceeding the speed limit, the penalties can vary depending on the severity of the offence. Minor offences, such as exceeding the speed limit by a small margin, may result in speeding demerit points and a speeding fine. However, more severe violations can lead to harsher consequences. Here’s what new drivers can expect:

• Exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km/h: This results in 4 speeding demerit points and a speeding fine of $150.
• Exceeding the speed limit by 21 to 30 km/h: Drivers will receive 6 demerit points and an overspeed limit fine of $200.
• Exceeding the speed limit by 31 to 40 km/h: This results in 8 demerit points and a fine of $300.

For more serious cases, such as speeding beyond 40 km/h, new drivers can face a speed limit fine of up to $1,000 and potential jail time of up to 3 months, even for a first-time speeding offence in Singapore.

Probationary Period For New Drivers

All first-time drivers in Singapore are placed under a probationary period for the first 12 months after obtaining their driving licence. During this period, the tolerance for violations is much lower, and any speeding offence can result in immediate suspension or even the revocation of their driving licence.

If a new driver accumulates 13 or more speeding demerit points during this probation period, their licence will be revoked. This means they will need to retake both the theory and practical driving tests, but only after waiting a full year from the date of revocation.

How Speeding Is Detected In Singapore

Speeding offences in Singapore are closely monitored using a range of enforcement tools designed to keep roads safe and reduce accidents. These tools are managed by the Traffic Police and are active across expressways, arterial roads, and areas with high pedestrian activity. There are two primary methods used to detect speeding:

1. Fixed Speed Cameras

These are installed at known accident-prone or high-risk locations. Once a vehicle exceeds the legal speed limit, the camera captures its speed and takes a photograph of the vehicle, including the number plate. These cameras operate round the clock and are strategically placed in high-traffic zones.

2. Mobile Speed Cameras

These are portable units placed at various locations based on real-time traffic data, accident history, or public feedback. Officers from the Traffic Police may also deploy mobile speed cameras in areas not covered by fixed units, especially in zones where drivers tend to speed unexpectedly.

3. Average Speed Cameras

These are more advanced systems that calculate the average speed of a vehicle between two fixed points. If the time taken to travel between those points is too short, the system flags the vehicle for exceeding the speed limit. These are especially effective in long road stretches where drivers may slow down only near known camera spots but speed elsewhere.

4. Red-Light Cameras With Speed Detection

At certain junctions, red-light cameras are also equipped to detect speeding vehicles. This dual-function capability means drivers can be penalised for both beating the red light and speeding at the same time.

5. On-Ground Police Patrols

Apart from automated systems, Traffic Police officers also patrol roads and highways. Officers may use radar guns to detect speed violations and stop drivers on the spot for enforcement.

Speeding During Emergencies: Are There Any Exceptions?

Picture this: you’re behind the wheel, and your loved one in the passenger seat is clutching their chest in pain. Your first instinct? Hit the accelerator and get to the hospital—fast.

But here’s the big question: does an emergency excuse you from a speeding offence in Singapore?

The short answer? No, not automatically.

In Singapore, traffic laws apply strictly, regardless of circumstances. Speed limits aren’t just guidelines—they’re enforced limits. So even if you’re rushing someone to A&E, getting caught by a speed camera or pulled over by Police still means you could be handed a speeding fine in Singapore, along with demerit points and possibly even a Court summons if your speed was well over the limit.

That said, it’s not all black and white. The system does allow some room for consideration. If you’re summoned to Court for your speeding offence in Singapore, you’ll be given the chance to explain what happened. This is where genuine emergencies—like medical crises—can be brought up as mitigating factors. But the key word here is genuine. You’ll need to provide strong evidence, such as a hospital admission note, time-stamped records, or a doctor’s letter to show that the situation truly called for urgent action.

Even then, the outcome is never guaranteed. The Court will weigh your explanation against the risk posed to other road users. After all, speeding through traffic doesn’t just put you at risk—it endangers everyone around you.

So, what should you do if an emergency strikes? The safest move is still to call an ambulance. Emergency services are trained to respond quickly, and they can navigate traffic with legal authority, sirens, and support you don’t have access to.

Conclusion About Speeding Fine In Singapore

Contrary to popular belief, there is no single value attributable to the speeding fine in Singapore. The fine varies on the nature of the driving offence, road type, motor vehicle type, speeding offence, and other factors.

Regardless of their driver’s status (probationary or non-probationary), it’s their responsibility to adhere to the road speed limit.

Doing so will not only prevent them from accumulating demerit points. It’s the right thing to do to ensure the roads are safe for pedestrians and fellow law-abiding motorists alike.

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All first-time clients will get a free 30-minute consultation. Our Singapore lawyers will offer personalised legal advice, depending on your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Speeding Fine Singapore

What Is The Maximum Speed Limit In Singapore?

Generally, Singapore follows a 50 km/h maximum speed limit unless otherwise stated. There may also be designated areas like school zones and Silver Zones, where the speed limit is reduced.

Can I Still Drive If I Have 12 Demerit Points In Singapore?

No. Your licence will be revoked if you’re a probationary driver and have accumulated 12 demerit points. You will need to reapply for another licence and retake the necessary driving tests before you can drive again.

How Long Before Demerit Points Are Removed In Singapore?

You will need 12 months of clean driving record without accumulating any more demerit points until they return to 0.

What Happens If You Have 24 Demerit Points In Singapore?

If you have 24 or more demerit points, you’ll need to take the Driver Improvement Points System Re-Training Course. Your licence may also be liable for suspension.

Will My Traffic Offence Be Disclosed In Any Way In The Future?

Speeding offences are not part of a criminal record under the Registration of Criminals Act, so they generally do not need to be disclosed in employment applications. However, if you were found guilty of causing death by reckless or dangerous driving while speeding, you must disclose the offence. Additionally, if convicted in Court, the offence must be admitted even if your criminal record has been deleted.

Can I Appeal A Speeding Fine In Singapore?

Yes, you can submit an appeal to the Traffic Police if you believe the fine was issued in error or if there are mitigating circumstances. Each case is considered individually.

How Can I Check If I Have Outstanding Speeding Fines?

You can check for outstanding fines and make payments through the Traffic Police’s e-service portal.