Friday, November 2, 2012

Driving To Singapore (from Malaysia)

Well, there are already a lot of information available on Internet regarding this topic.  However, if you want more detail information (as what I was searching for), this could be good help to you.

1. Disembarkation / Embarkation Form (Singapore Arrival Card / White Card / Immigration Form / IMM 27 Form)

  • It is a challenge to find this form in KL (probably JB too).  Did ask some travel agencies, but none is willing to give it out though they do have daily KL-Singapore bus route.
  • Some suggested it is available in JB hotels, but I not sure whether they will give it out to non-staying guests.
  • The best option is to get it from friend who travel frequently between Malaysia-Singapore.  Singapore immigration officer will not hesitate to give out this form on request.
  • Fill up this form prior to entering Singapore, you will have no time nor space at Singapore immigration to fill up this form.
  • There are few variance of this form, all are acceptable.  (IMM 27E - English only; IMM 27F - English and Chinese; IMM 27G - English and Malay; IMM 27H - English and Japanese)

2. Crossing The Borders

  • Fill up your petrol.  For second link, the last petrol stations are at R&R Gelang Patah, just a stone throw away from Malaysia checkpoint.  For causeway, I believe there are plenty of petrol stations at JB.  (Or you can choose to fill up petrol in Singapore at S$1.90+ / liter)
  • Follow correct lanes at the immigration complex.  At Malaysia immigration checkpoint, the immigration officer will only scan your Malaysia passport without stamping it.
  • After the immigration, it will be the Malaysia customs checkpoint.  Normally they won't check any outbound vehicles.
  • Continue with a long drive across the Tebrau Straights and you will reach Singapore immigration checkpoint.
  • Present all your passports with IMM27 immigration card to the officer on duty.  Also, wind down your rear windows as the officer will visually verify all passengers on board.  Your passport will be scanned and stamped.  The disembarkation portion of the IMM27 form will be stamped and returned to you with your passport.  (Note:  DO NOT LOSE this!)
  • Every vehicle (It's vehicle, and not individual/driver) entering Singapore will need an Autopass.  An Autopass is like the passport for your vehicle.  Just tell the immigration officer that you do not have any Autopass, and he/she will advise you to purchase the Autopass AFTER the immigration clearance.
  • At Tuas checkpoint, the Autopass counter is just immediately after the immigration checkpoint.  It's a only a very small counter, please don't overshoot!  There is also no designated parking for the Autopass counter, just park your vehicle at the road shoulder and turn on your car double signal light.
  • Alight to the Autopass counter, and fill up a form to purchase the Autopass.  The officer will walk to your car to check the validity of your road tax, and you will need to present your ID of either Malaysia passport of Malaysia IC.  No other documents need to be presented.  The Autopass is cost S$10, which S$6 is for the card, with S$4 stored value.
  • After the officer issue you the Autopass, they will read the Autopass card, and will mark your vehicle as entered into Singapore.  The officer will also remind you to top up your card before exiting Singapore.
  • And finally, the Singapore customs.  Customs at entry point is always very strict.  Stop your car (need not stop the engine), open your car boot for the customs officer to check.  The officer sometimes will also check the drawers inside the car, and areas beneath the dash board.  Remember, no new unopened pack of cigarette, no chewing gums!
  • That is it!  Welcome to Singapore!

3. Some FAQs on Autopass Card
 
  • The Autopass card is tied to the car, and not transferable.  If you sold your car, then you need to write in to request for refund.
  • The Autopass card is valid for 5 years only.  As there is a Manufacturing Date and Expiry Date on the Autopass card itself, I guess the expiry date will follow the life span of the smart card itself, rather than from the date of Autopass issued to you.
  • If you lose your Autopass card in Singapore, you will need to make a police report or else the immigration will not issue another replacement card to you.
  • If you lose your Autopass card in Malaysia, you are advise to make a police report, and attach it to apply for new Autopass card.  (However, from casual chat with the officer, the police report is mainly to safe guard you to prevent someone else using your Autopass to gain entry to Singapore.  If you misplace it, you can always apply for a new card.  Just that you won't be able to claim back the  stored amount in the previous Autopass.)
  • If your old Autopass card is expired, you can still use it at the immigration.  The system will show that your card is expired, and you will be asked to renew your Autopass card at the counter.
  • If your old Autopass card is expired, and you did not bring it to Singapore, you can just apply a new Autopass card, no question asked. 
  • [Added in July 2013]: Started from November 2012, Singapore was issuing the CEPAS Autopass, which is contactless. Hence some information available here on the use of smart card type Autopass is no longer valid.

4. Parking in Singapore

  • Most (my experience is all) parking at shopping complexes, sight seeing spots only accept Autopass card (or Cashcard) for parking fees.  Not like Malaysia car park, you won't see any AutoPay counter, or human manned booth at the exit.  All car parks entry and exit "humanless" and accept Autopass card / Cashcard only.
  • So, first thing to do after entering Singapore is to top up your Autopass card.  You can do it at 7-Eleven, which you will be charged a $0.50 fees per transaction.  If you intend to drive to visit a lot of places , you should top up more.
  • Most Singapore cars will have an IU (In-Vehicle Unit), something like Malaysia Smart Tag.  (And the Autopass card / Cashcard are like our Touch N Go.)  So the parking entry / exit mechanism is designed in such a way that it will first try to detect your IU.  
  • When you reach a parking entrance / exit, you will see words read "Please wait ..."at the card reader small LCD panel, DO NOT immediately slot your Autopass card into the card reader, the card reader will not accept the card.  Wait until the LCD panel shows "No IU Detected, Please Insert Your Autopass Card".  Only then the card reader will take in the card, read it and eject it with a message "Please use the same Autopass card when exiting the car park." 
  • When you exit the card park, the card reader LCD panel will show the car park amount charged.  Some (not all, only some) will show your Autopass card remaining stored value.
  • [Added July 2013]: Most of the parking in Singapore are still DO NOT accept CEPAS Autopass.  You probably will need to get one additional smart card type CashCard for parking purpose. 


5. Driving in Singapore

  • There are slightly different traffic light rules in Singapore as compare to Malaysia.  When there is green light and no Red Arrow,  turn right when the incoming traffic is clear.
  • If there is a standby box at the traffic light junction, you can drive further up and wait at the standby box, wait till the incoming traffic is clear or Green Arrow.  If there is no standby box, just wait behind the line at the traffic light.
  • For left turn, when you see the sign "Left Turn On Red", you can turn left when the traffic is clear.
  • Do not make illegal U-Turn at traffic light, there are plenty of designated U-Turn areas.
  • Most expressway speed limit is 90km/h, where most roads are 60km/h to 70km/h.
  • When you turn into an expressway, you will normally cross a bus lane.  Please be careful of incoming buses.
  • Singapore traffic rules required every passengers inside the car to fasten their seat belt, which translate to every passenger car can only fit a maximum of 5 passengers.  Children below 135cm is required to be seated in child car seat or child booster seat.  You can't do the Malaysia way of packing few passengers into the rear seats.
  • However, there are are still some exceptions where "Traffic Police will exercise flexibility in these cases".   Wish you lots of luck if you don't want to follow the traffic rules.
6. Navigation
  • If you have a GPS with a latest map, navigation should be very easy and straight forward.  I was using a Garmin GPS and latest Malfreemap with POI, the result is almost perfect.
  • The time when GPS failed me was that I set my destination at an indoor car park.  When I exited the car park, the GPS was still locating the satellite and there is already a junction in front of me.
  • Lesson learned: Don't solely depend on GPS.  Study the main roads and have some sense of direction.

7. Coming Back to Malaysia

  • If you are coming back to Malaysia via Tuas checkpoint, make sure that your Autopass has at least S$3.20 to pay for the exit toll. (S$1.20 for Woodlands checkpoint)  Before reaching the checkpoint, there are booth along the road for you to top up your Autopass card.  Just look for the signboard.
  • Stamp your passport at Singapore immigration.
  • Singapore customs normally won't check exiting Malaysian cars.
  • Back to Malaysia immigration, get your passports scanned to mark return.
  • Malaysia customs occasionally will check inbound vehicle.  If you are doing massive shopping in Singapore, good luck then!
  • The first petrol station is located at R&R Gelang Patah, fuel up and go home.

8. Others

  • VEP - Singapore Vehicle Entry Permit.  Each foreign registered vehicle will be given 10 days / calender years free entrance into Singapore during weekdays 0200 to 1700.  Once you exceed the 10 days grace period, S$20 will be charged per entry.
  • ERP - Singapore Electronic Road Pricing. In short, peak hours toll to enter city center.  It's ok if you do not have an IU, there is a number plat detection mechanism at the ERP to record your car plat number.  Foreign registered vehicle will be charged S$5 flat rate / day if you enter city center during ERP enforcement hour.  You need to pay this when you exit Singapore, so make sure your Autopass has sufficient balance.



7 comments:

jeevanantham said...

Thank you very much for your post.
It's really helpful.
Thanks again.
Jeeva

Mangosteen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mangosteen said...

Hi, I drive into singapore 12th April 2014... and my GPS accidentally route me to a shortcut, which was enter into the car park and exit in another side. I got a surprise there was a barrier at the entrance of the car park, but there was "autopass" sicker at the side of the barrier (normally in malaysia the parking ticket dispensing machine and intercom), so I wave my autopass card (got it at tuas checkpoint), no responds... so i insert it to the slot and it read card error.

So, the "autopass" cash card cannot use for the car park in HDB?

LeeZ said...

So you don't need to have LLP extra coverage for your car insurance to enter SG now?

Unknown said...

Does this still apply? Could use a quick response if this is true. Thanks :)

Chow Yew Nam said...

The processes should still be the same, except that the VEP price has been revised up.

Soo said...

Wonder whether I can drive in the car that not registered under my name?