6 Surprising Rules from Singapore's Driving Handbook That Even Experienced Drivers Forget

We’ve all done it. Years after passing the driving test, we settle into a comfortable rhythm behind the wheel, operating on a blend of muscle memory and habit. We assume we have the crucial rules locked down. But what if the habits we’ve formed have caused us to forget the finer points—the ones that truly separate a safe driver from a liable one?

Tucked away in Singapore’s official “Basic Theory of Driving” handbook are specific, counter-intuitive, and critically important regulations that many experienced drivers overlook. This isn’t about obscure trivia. This is about impactful rules that can mean the difference between a smooth journey and a revoked license.

Let’s dive into six of the most surprising regulations that will make you a safer, smarter, and more informed driver.

1. The Probation Plate Isn’t Just a Suggestion—It’s a Strict Condition of Your License.

When you see a P-plate, it’s not just a sign of a new driver; it’s a non-negotiable condition of their license. For their first year, new drivers must display a “Probation Plate” at all times. While most people know this, few understand the devastating penalty for ignoring it.

A first-time offender gets a fine. But get caught a second time, and the consequences are absolute: the driver’s license will be revoked entirely. This isn’t just a harsh punishment; it’s a statement on road safety. New drivers are statistically more vulnerable and lack situational judgment. The P-plate serves as a crucial visual cue for other motorists to be more patient and cautious, creating a shared safety mechanism.

The Traffic Police’s zero-tolerance policy underscores that this isn’t a suggestion—it’s a critical part of a new driver’s journey. As with any license revocation for new drivers, this means starting from scratch and retaking all driving tests.

“Repeat offenders with at least 2 offences of failing to display the Probation Plate during their one year probation period will have their licence revoked.”

2. The Demerit Point System Can Forgive, But It Rarely Forgets.

The Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS) is a name every driver knows, but its dual philosophy of punishment and rehabilitation is often misunderstood. It’s designed not just to take dangerous drivers off the road but also to reward those who demonstrate a sustained commitment to safety.

First, the strict punishments:

• For new drivers, accumulating 13 or more demerit points within their one-year probation period results in their license being revoked.
• For experienced drivers, accumulating 24 demerit points within 24 months triggers a 12-week suspension. A second suspension (12 points in 12 months) lasts 24 weeks. A third leads to a one-year suspension and license revocation, forcing the driver to retake all tests.

But here’s the surprising part: the system believes in second chances. A driver who maintains a 24-month period free of offenses after their last suspension expires will have their entire previous suspension record wiped clean. This isn’t just a “reset button”; it’s a tangible reward for demonstrating sustained behavioral change. DIPS is a clear message: while repeat offenses will lead you off the road, consistent, safe driving will always pave your way back.

3. You Can Legally Stop in a Yellow Box Junction (But Only in These 3 Situations).

Every driver has had the rule “Don’t enter a yellow box unless your exit is clear” drilled into them. It’s the golden rule of preventing gridlock. However, the official handbook reveals that this rule isn’t absolute. It contains nuanced exceptions that show a sophisticated understanding of urban traffic dynamics. The goal isn’t just to keep the box empty; it’s to keep traffic flowing logically and safely.

The system is pragmatic, not just punitive. You will not be penalized for stopping inside a yellow box junction in these three specific scenarios:

1. When your turning vehicle is positioned in a way that it does not obstruct any other traffic flow.
2. When you are waiting inside the box to turn right and are giving way to oncoming traffic.
3. When you are waiting to turn but are temporarily blocked by pedestrians who are legally using a designated crossing.

4. The ‘Two-Second Rule’ Has a Simple, Built-in Timer.

Maintaining a safe following distance is one of the most fundamental principles of defensive driving. But how do you measure it accurately in moving traffic? The official handbook provides a brilliantly simple and effective method: the ‘Two-Second Rule’.

Here’s the practical, foolproof technique you can use on any road, at any speed:

Step 1: Pick a fixed object ahead that’s easy to see, like a lamp post, a bridge overpass, or a prominent sign.

Step 2: Start counting the moment the rear of the car in front of you passes that object. Say to yourself, “one-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two.”

If the front of your car reaches the same object before you finish these eight words, you are following too closely. Ease off the accelerator and create more space. This simple mental check is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal for preventing rear-end collisions.

5. In a Skid, Your Instincts Are Wrong. Do This Instead.

It’s every driver’s nightmare: the sickening lurch as your car’s rear end breaks loose on a wet road, sending you into a skid. In that heart-stopping moment, your instinct will scream at you to slam on the brakes. That instinct is dead wrong.

The official handbook provides clear, life-saving advice that runs completely counter to gut reaction. To correct a rear-wheel skid, you must do two things immediately:

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the same direction that the rear of the vehicle is skidding.

This second step is key: if the back of your car is sliding to the right, you steer to the right. The handbook also provides one critical warning about what not to do:

“Never apply the brakes during a skid correction…”

Why? Braking will likely lock the wheels, deepening the skid and removing any chance of regaining control. Steering into the skid allows the tires to regain their grip on the road, bringing the car back under your command. It feels wrong, but it’s the only thing that works.

6. Using Your Phone While Driving Is as Bad as Running a Red Light.

Everyone knows using a mobile phone while driving is illegal and dangerous. But the official demerit points schedule reveals a sobering truth: the Traffic Police view this act of distraction as being just as severe as one of the most blatant and reckless violations on the road.

• Using a mobile telephone while driving carries 12 demerit points.
• For context, “Failing to conform to traffic light signals”—in other words, running a red light—also carries 12 demerit points.

The implication of this equivalence is profound. The authorities are stating that the cognitive impairment from using a phone—the delayed reaction times, the tunnel vision, the divided attention—is functionally equivalent to the deliberate, dangerous act of ignoring a red light. This isn’t about fines or rules for their own sake; it’s a stark judgment based on physics and human fallibility. Distracted driving isn’t a minor lapse; it’s a major, life-threatening failure of a driver’s primary responsibility.

Conclusion: The Road to Safer Driving is Paved with Knowledge

These rules aren’t just for passing the test; they are the grammar of a language that saves lives. The official driving handbook is more than a relic from your learner days; it’s a living document filled with crucial details that empower you to be a more aware, skilled, and responsible driver.

Revisiting them is a reminder that excellence on the road is an active skill, not a passive habit. The question isn’t just what you’ll look at differently, but how you will actively use this knowledge to protect yourself and everyone you share the road with.