Expressway and tunnel rules in Singapore

OneMotoring states that there are 14 expressways and tunnels in Singapore, some of which include expressway tunnels. Pedestrians are not allowed on all expressways and in tunnels. Personal mobility devices (PMDs) are not allowed on all roads, and therefore cannot travel on expressways and in tunnels (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

If an incident occurs, the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) recovery crew and LTA traffic marshals are activated to help clear the incident (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

Named expressways and tunnels

OneMotoring lists (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels):

Expressway speed limits

Singapore does not have one speed limit that applies to every expressway segment. The Road Traffic (Restriction of Speed on Roads) Notification sets limits for named roads or parts of roads in its schedules; the general limit is 50 km/h in other cases. LTA also tells drivers to follow the speed limit and traffic signs (SSO, Restriction of Speed on Roads Notification para 2; LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

The current schedules give different limits for specific segments. For example, the Second Schedule sets 40 km/h on named sections of Adam Underpass, the Fifth Schedule sets 80 km/h on specified sections including part of the Central Expressway tunnel, and the Sixth Schedule sets 90 km/h on listed expressway sections. Check the current schedule and signs for the road segment you are using; these examples are not a complete speed map (SSO, Second Schedule; SSO, Fifth Schedule; SSO, Sixth Schedule).

Driving on an expressway

LTA advises drivers to plan their route, follow traffic signs, stay in lane, have the stored-value card ready in the IU or OBU, ensure there is enough fuel, secure goods, and keep left when driving a heavy vehicle. Do not tailgate, stop except in an emergency, reverse, drive on the shoulder, drop off or alight passengers, or refuel on the expressway (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

The Expressway Traffic Rules also require a vehicle with a speed limit of 60 km/h or below to use the left-hand expressway lane, except when overtaking, passing an obstruction, or following a traffic or directional sign (SSO, Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules r 12). DIPS points for selected expressway offences (driving on the shoulder: 6; stopping on the shoulder or verge: 4; stopping or remaining at rest on the carriageway: 4; reversing unnecessarily: 6) are in the DIPS Rules Schedule (SSO, Road Traffic (Driver Improvement Points System) Rules Schedule).

Pedestrians must not go or remain on an expressway, subject to the exceptions in the Rules. LTA also says pedestrians are not allowed on expressways or in tunnels, and that PMDs cannot travel there because they are prohibited on all roads (SSO, Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules r 14A; LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

EMAS and overhead lane-use signs

SPF’s 2026 Basic Theory of Driving handbook gives example responses for common EMAS messages: slow down and drive carefully for caution, congestion, accident, vehicle-breakdown and roadworks warnings; drive at a displayed recommended speed; leave the expressway when it is closed, or use an alternative exit when an exit is closed; and for a lane-reduction message, slow down, drive carefully and get ready to change lane if necessary. It also says to look out and give way when an ambulance or fire-engine message is displayed (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook (2026 edition)). These are example messages and responses; follow the live sign and road conditions.

In a tunnel, avoid lanes marked with a red X and follow a green-arrow lane past an incident; stop if all lane-use signs show red X. During an emergency, LTA says to drive out through the nearest exit where possible. If instructed to evacuate and unable to drive further, switch off the engine, leave the vehicle, and proceed on foot to the nearest exit. LTA’s exit directions differ by tunnel: in Woodsville and Fort Canning tunnels, head toward the entrance away from incident or smoke; in CTE, KPE, MCE and Sentosa Gateway Tunnel, use a flashing-light-marked exit, including staircases every 500 m beside the left-most lane; pedestrian cross passages every 100 m beside the right-most lane are described for CTE, KPE and MCE. Follow traffic-message signs and directions from police or LTA traffic marshals (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

Driving in a tunnel

Before entering a road tunnel, LTA advises drivers to plan their route, turn on headlights, tune in to a local radio station, follow traffic signs, stay in lane, prepare the stored-value card in the IU or OBU, ensure enough fuel, secure goods, and keep left in a heavy vehicle. Heavy vehicles must stow cranes before entering. In a tunnel, do not overtake or tailgate, stop except in an emergency, reverse, use the shoulder, drop off or alight passengers, repair the vehicle or change tyres, or refuel (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

LTA’s Operations Control Centre monitors road tunnels around the clock. Tunnel ventilation systems remove smoke during fires, and overhead water sprinklers are installed in the KPE, MCE, CTE, Woodsville Tunnel, and Sentosa Gateway Tunnel (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

Rule 13 prohibits stopping in a road or expressway tunnel except when lawfully required or compelled by an accident, breakdown, or emergency. It also prohibits entering on foot, alighting except in an emergency or to summon assistance, using a horn except in an emergency, making a U-turn or reversing, changing a tyre or wheel, refuelling or repairing, and pushing a vehicle. A police officer’s direction or a traffic sign may provide otherwise (SSO, Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules r 13).

Vehicles restricted from expressways and tunnels

Generally you cannot drive excluded vehicles on expressways, including expressway tunnels. OneMotoring’s list includes bicycles, power-assisted bicycles, tricycles, trishaws, motorcycles with side cars attached, motorcycles whose designed maximum speed is less than 50 km/h, invalid carriages, three-wheeled vans, low trailers, road rollers, ready-mix concrete trucks, mobile cranes, forklifts, excavators, road pavers, tractors, dumpers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, graders, mobile concrete pumps, hydrant dispensers, motor vehicles with any wheel fitted with neither a pneumatic tyre nor a solid rubber tyre, and any other motor vehicle whose maximum speed under the Road Traffic (Regulation of Speed) Rules is less than 50 km/h (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels). LTA says a permit is required when an excluded vehicle must use an expressway because of route constraints or lack of an alternative route; the permit conditions must be followed.

The tunnel prohibitions are a separate list. Rule 14 bars vehicles without enough fuel to pass through; vehicles carrying uncontrolled animals or poultry or uncovered garbage, fine particles or similar materials; vehicles carrying specified dangerous substances or articles; vehicles with unsecured loads; vehicles carrying someone standing outside or overhanging the vehicle; vehicles at least 4.5 m high, over 3 m wide, or over 13 m long; trailers conveying standard containers; diesel tankers; human-powered pedal vehicles such as bicycles, three-wheeled pedal cycles, recumbent devices and trishaws; and electric-assist bicycles or trishaws. A vehicle wider than 3 m may use a tunnel if authorised under a trip or term permit. Rule 14B separately bars vehicles at least 3.5 m high, excursion buses, omnibuses, private buses, private-hire buses, school buses and goods vehicles from Sentosa Gateway Tunnel (SSO, Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules rr 14 and 14B). LTA notes that its published list is not exhaustive; check the current Rules and permit conditions for the vehicle and route (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

For an expressway-excluded vehicle, LTA says to apply through its online feedback form to the Vehicle Approval and Control Division, with the completed application form, an endorsed scanned copy, and the supporting documents listed on that form. LTA estimates processing at about 14 working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The approval letter’s conditions must be followed, and the letter must be kept in the vehicle for LTA checks (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

For tunnels, the Rules prohibit vehicles that are short of fuel to pass through, carrying certain unsecured or inadequately controlled loads, carrying substances in the Third Schedule (subject to stated exceptions), carrying a person outside the vehicle, at least 4.5 m high, wider than 3 m, longer than 13 m, hauling a standard container trailer, or being a tanker carrying diesel fuel. Human-powered cycles and electric bicycles or trishaws are also prohibited. A vehicle wider than 3 m may use a tunnel if authorised under the specified width-and-length permit rules (SSO, Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules r 14).

LTA says an oversized vehicle movement (OVM) permit may be applied for when a vehicle wider than 3 m needs to use a tunnel. LTA’s PROMPT FAQ says to submit the application through LTA.PROMPT at least 3 working days before travel; submissions made after noon count as applications for the next working day, and LTA says permit applications are processed within 3 working days. First-time users must register as an agency or transport-company applicant. The listed fee is $12 for a single-trip permit or $20 for a 3-month term permit. An OVM permit does not waive other applicable laws, rules, or agency conditions, so follow the route and conditions approved for the vehicle (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels; LTA.PROMPT, FAQ — Permit for Vehicle Movement).

Sentosa Gateway Tunnel has additional restrictions: vehicles 3.5 m or higher, excursion buses, omnibuses, private buses, private-hire buses, school buses, and goods vehicles are prohibited (SSO, Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules r 14B). LTA’s tunnel restrictions page is expressly non-exhaustive; check the Rules and relevant permit conditions before using a tunnel with a restricted vehicle (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels).

Breakdown, accident, or fire

On an expressway breakdown, stop on the shoulder if possible, switch on hazard lights, and call LTA at 1800-2255-582. OneMotoring notes that charges apply for mobile calls to “1800” service lines and only calls from regular land lines are free (LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels). Give your location and direction of travel; use nearby kilometre markers, lamppost numbers, or slip roads to help identify where you are. LTA says EMAS will tow the vehicle to the nearest designated car park. Do not attempt repairs on the expressway. Stay downstream and behind the impact guardrail if possible; if it is unsafe to leave the vehicle or you cannot reach the shoulder, stay inside and call for assistance (LTA OneMotoring, expressway emergency procedures).

The recovery crew photographs the vehicle before towing and tells the driver which designated car park it is being taken to. At the car park, the driver arranges collection with their own towing provider; parking charges apply while the vehicle waits for that provider (LTA OneMotoring, expressway breakdown recovery process).

In a tunnel breakdown, stop on the shoulder where possible, turn on hazard lights, and use the nearest SOS phone or call LTA. Give your location and direction of travel; identify nearby emergency-exit labels, slip roads, or kilometre markers on the wall panels or raised platform. Move to the raised shoulder platform downstream of the vehicle if safe, and do not attempt repairs. Follow any instruction to evacuate (LTA OneMotoring, tunnel emergency procedures).

If there is an injury, call 995 or 999. If there is no injury to attend to and the vehicle can be driven, LTA advises driving out of the expressway or tunnel. For a vehicle fire or smoke, stop at the shoulder, switch off the engine, move away, and call 995, use the nearest SOS phone, or activate the fire-service-cabinet break-glass unit. If the vehicle is an EV, give the response team its make, model, and licence plate number. LTA says SOS phones are beside the left-most lane every 100 m; tunnel fire-service cabinets contain extinguishers and are located at 50 m intervals (LTA OneMotoring, emergency procedures).

If lane-use signs show a red X, avoid that lane; when all lanes show red X, stop and do not proceed. Follow green arrows, traffic-message signs, and directions from police officers or LTA traffic marshals. If an emergency is ahead and you have not entered the tunnel, do not enter and take an alternative route. If you must evacuate on foot, follow LTA’s route for the tunnel: in the Woodsville and Fort Canning tunnels, head toward the tunnel entrance away from the incident or smoke; LTA also says that in the CTE, KPE, MCE and Sentosa Gateway Tunnel, the nearest emergency exit is marked by flashing lights; in the CTE, KPE, MCE, and Sentosa Gateway tunnels, use an emergency escape staircase beside the left-most lane, located every 500 m and leading to street level. In the CTE, KPE, and MCE, a pedestrian cross passage beside the right-most lane is also available every 100 m and leads to the opposite-bound tunnel (LTA OneMotoring, tunnel emergency procedures).

Coverage debt

• The Notification schedules list many exact road sections. This article gives only examples; drivers should consult the live schedules and signs for the segment they are using.
• EMAS examples in the handbook are not exhaustive; follow the live message and road conditions.
• Follow LTA’s displayed directions and live instructions during an incident; published procedures are general and do not give an incident-specific route for every event.

Sources

• LTA OneMotoring, Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels
• SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook (2026 edition)
• Road Traffic (Restriction of Speed on Roads) Notification para 2
• Road Traffic (Restriction of Speed on Roads) Notification, Second Schedule
• Road Traffic (Restriction of Speed on Roads) Notification, Fifth Schedule
• Road Traffic (Restriction of Speed on Roads) Notification, Sixth Schedule
• Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules rr 12–14B
• Road Traffic (Driver Improvement Points System) Rules Schedule
• LTA.PROMPT, FAQ — Permit for Vehicle Movement