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Moving off, reversing, mirrors and signals in Singapore

Highway Code guidance for moving off and reversing safely, checking mirrors, and signalling before changing direction, overtaking, slowing or stopping.

moving-off reversing mirrors signals Highway-Code lane-discipline

主要来源： https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/RTA1961-R11?ProvIds=pr46-

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).

Mirrors and signals

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 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).

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).

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.

Coverage debt

  • The Code's hand-signal illustrations and motorcycle-specific mirror guidance remain in the official provision; this article summarises the driver-facing text.

Sources