Moving off, reversing, mirrors and signals in Singapore

Moving off

Before moving off, the Highway Code says to look around even if you have checked the mirror, to make sure no one is about to overtake. Signal before moving off; proceed only when it is safe and will not inconvenience other road users, and give way to passing and overtaking vehicles (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 46). SPF’s Online Learning Portal adds a specific lookout reminder: check right, left and right again for vehicles and other road users before accelerating. This is educational guidance from SPF’s accident-prevention video (SPF, Online Learning Portal).

Watching for road users near obstructions

Watch for pedestrians, pedal cyclists, riders of power-assisted bicycles or personal mobility devices, and drivers of mobility scooters or motorised wheelchairs who may emerge suddenly from behind stationary vehicles or other obstructions. Take extra care near schools and bus stops. When turning at a junction, give way to those road users who are crossing (Singapore Statutes Online, current Highway Code, para. 82).

Mirror equipment, checks and signals

For motor vehicles other than motorcycles, the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules require at least one exterior mirror or other indirect-vision device on each side of the vehicle, so the driver can observe traffic behind on both sides. They also require at least one interior mirror or other indirect-vision device for observing traffic behind. The interior device is not required if the vehicle’s construction makes it incapable of helping the driver see traffic behind (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules, r. 20). Rule 20(1) excludes motorcycles; motorcycle mirror requirements are covered in motorcycle safety and pillion riding and motorcycle sidecars.

The Code advises checking the mirror every 5 to 10 seconds while driving to watch traffic behind. Before changing direction, overtaking, or stopping, look in the mirror (motorcyclists should glance to the side or behind), ensure it is safe, and signal clearly (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, paras. 87–88).

When turning, stopping, or slowing down, give the correct signal in good time and maintain it long enough for others to anticipate the movement. Check that the indicator shows the intended direction and cancel it immediately after use (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 89).

The Code notes that hand signals can also inform oncoming traffic, vehicles waiting in side streets, and pedestrians. It says hand signalling is more readily seen and understood in broad daylight. Do not let passengers give hand signals or let children hold arms or dangle toys outside a car, where they could be mistaken for such signals (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 90).

The Highway Code illustrates four hand signals: moving out or turning right, moving in or turning left, slowing down, and stopping. It says to signal clearly and in good time before turning or moving towards either side, stopping or slowing, pulling out from a parking place, or pulling out to pass. SPF’s current Basic Theory handbook illustrates the signals for cars, motorcyclists and cyclists (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 115; SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook, para. 61).

The Road Traffic Rules separately require a driver intending to stop, slow down, or turn right or left to signal with an approved direction indicator early enough for other traffic to take appropriate action to avoid danger (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Rules, r. 2, version effective 1 January 2026).

Direction-indicator equipment

The Construction and Use Rules generally require a matched pair of front indicators on each motor vehicle and a matched pair of rear indicators on each motor vehicle and trailer. Rule 26(1)'s front/rear fitment requirement has exceptions for tractors, land implements and works vehicles; two-wheeled motorcycles registered before 1 January 1975; and a trailer whose towing vehicle's rear indicators are fully visible from behind. Separately, a matched pair of side indicators is required on a public service vehicle with seating for more than 15 persons, excluding the driver; a vehicle constructed to be able to tow a trailer; and a vehicle registered after 1 January 1975 whose total length exceeds 8.0 metres (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules, r. 26).

Direction indicators must flash constantly at 60 to 120 flashes per minute and begin flashing no later than 1 second after being switched on. If more than one type of indicator is fitted on one side, they must flash simultaneously; indicators must not be designed to flash in sequence (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules, r. 28).

Driver control and view

The Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules require a driver on a road to be positioned so they can properly control the vehicle, retain a full view of the road and traffic ahead and an adequate view of the road behind, and signal traffic behind by hand signal or direction indicator (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules, r. 117).

When a police officer is directing traffic, follow the officer’s signals even if they differ from road signs, traffic lights, road markings or traffic regulations. SPF’s current Basic Theory handbook illustrates the signals and describes these cases: vehicles approaching from all directions must stop; vehicles approaching from the officer’s front and behind must stop while those from the officer’s right and left may proceed; and vehicles approaching from the officer’s right, front and behind must stop while those from the left may proceed. These are three of the patterns shown in the handbook (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 115; SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook, para. 60).

Using the horn

The Highway Code says sounding a horn while driving is unnecessary except to warn other road users to avoid an imminent accident or during an emergency. A horn must not produce an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or multi-tone sound. The Code does not describe ordinary horn use as a way to express impatience or to prompt traffic to move (Singapore Statutes Online, current Highway Code, para. 106).

Construction and Use Rule 24 requires every motor vehicle to have an instrument capable of giving an audible and sufficient warning of its approach or position; land tractors and works vehicles are excepted. The rule generally prohibits gongs or bells, sirens, multi-tone horns and devices producing unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming sounds, with specified exceptions for authorised ambulances and vehicles used solely for fire brigade, military, police or customs purposes (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules, r. 24).

Rule 113 separately prohibits sounding an ordinary vehicle warning instrument while the vehicle is stationary on a road. It also restricts sounding gongs, bells, sirens, multi-tone horns or similar-sounding devices whether the vehicle is moving or not. Its exceptions include specified emergency-purpose use, sounding an alarm about theft or attempted theft, and certain non-multi-tone devices used only to announce goods for sale outside midnight to 6 a.m. (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules, r. 113).

Opening doors and alighting

Before opening a vehicle door, make sure it will not endanger or inconvenience anyone on the road or footpath; where possible, get out on the side nearest the kerb (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 92). The statutory rule also prohibits opening or permitting a door to be opened, or alighting from a motor vehicle, so as to cause injury or danger to anyone or impede traffic. Doors, bonnets and hinged covers must be kept firmly shut while the vehicle is moving (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules, r. 115).

Reversing

Before reversing, check that there are no children, other pedestrians, or obstructions in the blind area behind the vehicle. The Highway Code says not to reverse from a side road onto a main road. If the view to the rear is restricted, get help when reversing (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, paras. 84–86). Reversing rules are also recorded in Reversing rules. Police-officer hand signals are also recorded in Police-officer traffic signals.