The new driving laws in Singapore

Singapore is a country that has very strict law and order guidelines. The country has very stringent rules regarding the traffic rules too. If you adhere to the rules, you will be able to enjoy your tours in the country without any hassle. It will also be of great help to stay safe when you opt for cheap car rental in Singapore. There are strict rules regarding the speed limits in different types of roads in the country. Hence, when you go for monthly car hire Singapore, you should make sure that you do not go for cars that offer nothing but amazing speeds. You will not be able to drive in any road in the country at speeds more than 100kmph. You should give predominant importance to the comfort facilities as well when you rent a car. Here are some of the new driving laws in the country. These are majorly related to the use of mobile phones while driving in the country

Holding a mobile device while driving a not allowed in the country. Earlier the law stated that making calls and texting were banned but as per the latest rules, you will not even be allowed to hold your mobile phone while driving. In most of the other countries, you are allowed to hold the phones while driving and the penalties and legal charges come into action only when you make a call or text someone.

As young drivers, you might find it hard to drive around in the country without having access to your mobile phones. Since you are not even allowed to hold the phones, you might find it hard to check your social media pages or even answer emergency calls when you are driving. You can however use a mobile phone that is mounted on to the vehicle. You will be able to place the phone on speaker phone and answer calls during emergency situations.

You can also use mobile phones when the vehicle is stationary but not at red lights. This means that you can pull over during the drives when needed and answer calls or reply to text messages without attracting any penalties.

10-step plan to driving on holiday in Singapore

#1 Choose a good place

In order to enjoy the perfect holiday in Singapore, you need to choose a place first. There are different types of vacation spots available in the country. You can choose Sentosa Islands if you want to enjoy an all-inclusive vacation with family. You can also visit museums, gardens, zoos, recreational spots, and amazing entertainment zones depending on the kind of fun you intend to have. Making a list of places to visit is the key factor though.

#2 Understand the route

In order to enjoy your drive during a holiday trip, you should understand the route map well. It will be good if you can check with your friends for the major landmarks on your way. You can also do this with ease if you install a GPS navigation system when you rent a car in Singapore.

#3 Identify the best rental deal

You should take a look at the best rental deals available on your preferred dates of travel. If you are traveling with young drivers, you will have to check for rental providers who offer best rates. Some of the P plate car rental offers come with excess fares. You need to shop around and choose the best deal in order to enjoy a wallet-friendly trip.

#4 Choose a good car

Once you understand the route well, you will be in a better position to choose the car you would want to drive. Depending on the number of people accompanying, terrain, and the length of the trip, you can make your choice between hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs.

#5 Identify the places for breaks

You need to take a look at the route map and identify the best spots on your way for breaks. Do not go on long drives without sufficient breaks in between.

#6 Choose the essentials

You should carry all the things that you would require during the trip. This should be chosen based on the people traveling with you and also the place you’re planning to visit. Emergency medicines and water bottles should not be missed out.

#7 Avoid unnecessary baggage

You should travel light in order to enjoy the trip to the fullest. Make sure that you do not carry too many dresses, accessories, and other stuff which might not turn out to be of any use during the trip.

#8 Keep a check on the fuel policy

You should make sure that you understand the fuel policy as stipulated by the rental provider. If you fail to follow this, you will be charged hefty amounts as fine when you return the vehicle.

#9 Start early

It’s always ideal to start a few minutes early in order to enjoy a relaxed trip. If you start early, you will be able to make up for any traffic congestions that you might experience on a holiday in the country.

#10 Follow the speed limits

Following the speed limits to the core is very important when you are going on a vacation. You might get carried during the course of the trip which might force you to speed through the highways without keeping a check on the speed limits. This is not only dangerous but also an offense which might cost you a lot of money.

Driving Abroad – Unusual Laws You Should Know

#1 No stopping for pedestrians in China     

There are many countries around the world where pedestrians are to be treated with extreme care while driving on the roads. You will have to give prime importance to pedestrians and make sure that they’re fine even if you’re speeding through the roads. However, if you do the same in China you might be fined. You are not supposed to stop your car for pedestrian crossing.

#2 No driving dirty cars in Russia

Due to your busy schedules you might not always keep your cars clean. You might take the car to a service station to get it cleaned only once in a blue moon. However, if you drive a dirty car in Russia, you will be severely fined. There are laws in Russia that prohibits you from driving untidy cars. If you are renting a car in Russia, you should make sure that it is kept clean.

#3 No chewing gum in Singapore

When you get a car for hire in Singapore, you should not open a pack of mint flavored gums from your bad and start chewing it. Chewing gum is illegal in Singapore. Hence, when you go for daily or weekly car hire Singapore to serve your travel needs, you should make sure that chewing gums are kept away.

#4 No kissing in Dubai

Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. However, public display of affection is not allowed in this beautiful city. Hence, if you drive around in a fancy car with your special one and want to express your romantic antics, make sure that you do not stop in the middle of the road or pull over at a tourist spot to do that. Your kiss has to wait till you drive home!

#5 No stopping in the autobahn roads of Germany

You might have heard about the autobahn roads in Germany where you can enjoy breathtaking speeds. You will be able to enjoy driving amazing cars at high throttles when you travel to Singapore. However, make sure that you do not stop the car in the autobahn roads in the country. You will be fined severely if you fail to follow this rule.

#6 No splashing in Japan

You might have come across plenty of experienced and young drivers splashing water during their drives in different cities. You might love doing it, especially when you’re in a happy mood. However, if you do the same in Japan you’ll end up paying penalties. Japanese rules prohibit people from splashing water while driving a car.

Most Parents Don’t Know They Are Using A Wrong Car Seat. Do You? – Car Rental

When you set out on a drive with your little ones, you should pay immense attention to their safety. If you run into an unfortunate road mishap, your kids will be in real danger if proper safety measures are not in place. The impact faced by the kids on the event of a road accident would be more than triple compared to what would be faced by an adult during a similar situation. Installing child seats is very important while going on drives with kids. However, you should install the right kind of child seats depending on the age of your little ones. You should specifically ask for these child seats when you go to a car rental Singapore to choose a car for your city drives and sightseeing tours. You should be extra careful if you’re not someone who loves to take the seat behind the wheels and would rather assign the task to one of the young drivers in your group. You would rely on seatbelts and airbags for your safety but child seats of the right kind is highly important for the safety of your little ones.

#1 Rear-facing

The normal child seats will not do you any good if you’re traveling with infants. When you go on a drive with infants onboard, you should make sure that rear-facing seatbelts are installed. When you’re traveling with kids who are less than 2 years old, you would need to pay special attention to keep them safe. When you use rear-facing child seats, your kids will remain safe even if the vehicle is to be brought to rest all of a sudden.

#2 Forward-facing

Forward-facing child seats are to be used if the kids are at least 2 years old and not more than 7 years old. Majority of the companies that offer budget car rental Singapore would provide you with good quality front-facing child seats for the safety of your kids without charging you any extra amounts.

#3 Booster

Kids who fall in between the ages 4 to 12 are supposed to use booster seats. Adult seats are to be installed only if your kids are over 12 years old or at least 4ft 11inches tall. Booster child seats will provide with extra protection and will ensure the safety of your kids. These child seats will match with the curiousness that kids who fall in this age group have in mind all the time!

Five Singapore shopping experiences every woman must consider

#1 PARCO Marina Bay

Located in Millenia Walk District, this shopping center helps you enjoy all the serenity you need while flipping through your favorite products. You will be able to update your wardrobes and get all sorts of trendy accessories during your visit to this place. The eateries in the area are open an hour after all the other shops close and hence you can definitely order a fabulous dinner once you’re done with the shopping spree.

#2 Palais Renaissance

If you want to shop for the most popular brands in the world during your trip to Singapore, there’s no better place than Palais Renaissance. The mall is located in Orchard Road and the number of shops available in this fabulous mall will definitely amaze you. You should go for car rental Singapore if you want to enjoy your shopping experience in this place to the fullest. Depending on cabs will bring in a huge difference to your total expenses.

#3 Orchard Central

This is another splendid shopping option for the ladies. The mall is an architectural masterpiece and you will definitely love each and every minute spent here. You can shop for dresses, footwear, bags, electronic items, and collectibles during your visit to this mall. If you get a good offer from a Singapore car hire company, you will be able to travel back to your hotel rooms with greater ease.

#4 Park Mall

If you want to shop for interior décor items during your trip to Singapore, Park Mall would be the ideal choice. You can also buy fabulous attire that matches with the latest trends in global fashion at amazing rates from this mall. Every woman will love the time spend in this mall shopping for interior furnishing items and decorative stuff.

#5 ION Orchard

This shopping center would be your one-stop-shop for all sorts of items you would need. There are more than 300 shops in this place that sells products belonging to all sorts of price ranges. Special offers are provided for tourists visiting the country from different parts of the globe.

If you choose weekly car hire Singapore from one the reputed providers in the country, you will be able to enjoy your trips to these amazing shopping centers without any sorts of hassles.

6 car hire rip-offs and how to avoid them

#1 Buying basic package

The easiest way to save money on car rentals is to choose the basic package. You will come across plenty of rental deals which comes loaded with a lot of extra features. When you take a quick glance, you might not notice the extra costs involved but a closer look will help you identify the hidden costs involved in choosing the extra options.

#2 Avoiding unnecessary accessories

When you get a car for hire in Singapore to serve your leisure or business needs, you need to give prior importance to your travel. You will not be spending majority of your time inside the vehicle and will be using it only for traveling from one place to another. When you choose cheap car rental in Singapore, you would not require the most expensive accessories. You might require a GPS system to find directions easily and no other luxury accessory would be of any help.

#3 Understanding fuel policy

Different rental companies would have different fuel policies. You need to understand the details regarding the same before driving the vehicle out in order to avoid penal charges. Paying upfront for fuel might not be a money saver unless you plan to travel a lot. You should hence be careful with fuel policies.

#4 Making a note of scratches and dents

Before you drive the vehicle out of the rental company, you should make a note of scratches and dents. It would be better to take a snap of the dents and scratches before you drive off. If you fail to do this, you might be charged extra amounts for the dents and scratches which were already present on the vehicle.

#5 Choosing an upgrade with care

When you go for short term car hire Singapore, you might be offered with upgrades. You should not go for an upgrade before making sure it’s a good deal. You should take a good look at the vehicle that is offered as an upgrade and make sure that it is in sound condition.

#6 Checking for hidden charges

This is another major thing that most of you might miss out while renting a car. You should go through the rental agreement in detail and make sure that there are no hidden charges. You should take a look at the return policies and the clauses that mention about penal charges.

Renting a car at Christmas time in Singapore – Remember to book on time!

If you want to celebrate Christmas season in great grandeur, Singapore would be a fabulous place to be! The mind-blowing fireworks that you get to enjoy from Marina Sands, the colorfully lit up city view from the Bay area and the all-night parties taking place at all major restaurants, bars, and pubs in the country will make sure that you have endless fun during the festive days. In order to have uninterrupted fun, you should take care of your travel needs well in advance. Depending on trains and buses wouldn’t be a great idea when the country experiences a heavy flow of tourists. You should make your bookings in advance with a reputed Singapore car hire company without fail.

Majority of the rental companies are overbooked during the Christmas season. If you wait till the last minute, you will end up paying exorbitant prices on rentals or hiring cabs emptying your wallet. To avoid all the trouble, choose a P plate car rental company that has all sorts of vehicles on offer. You can place your bookings as soon as your leaves are approved by your employer in your home country. Make use of the amazing facilities offered by rental companies in Singapore. Once you have the travel dates ready, you will be able to choose between monthly and weekly car hire Singapore. If you make advanced reservation during Christmas season, you can make sure you enjoy the splendid nightlife in the country which gets better during the Christmas days and also enjoy amazing discounts. You will be able to drive around in your favorite brand of automobile and spend all the time you need at the popular hangouts in the country. You will be able to party all night and get back to your hotels without any hassle. You will be able to explore the food options available at major food stalls that come up with special offers during the Christmas month. If you have the time, you can stay back to enjoy the ceremonious New Year celebrations that take place in the country which is packed with entertainment options!

Different types of car driving licenses in Singapore

#1 IDP

IDP is the abbreviation for International Driving Permit. This is the kind of license that can be used by people visiting Singapore for a short period of time, up to 12 months. When you choose monthly or weekly car hire Singapore, you can use the IDP as the document for driving around in the city roads. The IDP is a document which is issued in your home country which will contain a note specifying the permission to drive in a foreign country. If this document is in a language other than English, you will have to have a translated copy of it which is authorized by the authorities in your home country.

#2 Class 3A

Class 3A license is the driving permit that is issued in Singapore which is required in order to drive cars that run on automatic transmission. You will be able to drive around any cars that do not have clutch pedals using this type of license. If you choose an automatic car for hire in Singapore, a Class 3A license would be sufficient. If you want to sail through the busy roads in the country without the hassle of changing gears, get a class 3A license and get behind the wheels of a vehicle running on automatic transmission to enjoy a fabulous ride.

#3 Class 3

Class 3 license is the type if license required in order to drive vehicles that have manual transmission. You will be able to enjoy the best car rental deals in Singapore if you possess the Class 3 license. Majority of the cars available in the country run on manual transmission and hence you will be able to drive one of the most popular variants at wallet-friendly rates when you have a class 3 driving license. You need to be at least 18 years of age in order to be eligible for this type of license.

#4 Class 4

Class 4 license if the kind of driving permit required in order to drive heavy cars in the country. If you want to drive a car in the country which has a seating capacity of more than 7 passengers, you will have to get a class 4 license.

5 Great benefits of advanced reservation on long and short term car hire in Singapore

#1 Avoid the rush

If you forget to make reservations for car rental in Singapore, you might end up making mistakes in the end. Finding a good rental company after reaching the country will be a tedious task. You might not be able to compare the options available or read through the rental agreements in detail. You might finally choose a rental company that charges exorbitant prices or the ones that adds lot of complicated clauses to the agreement. Advanced reservations will leave you out of all these troubles.

#2 Choose the top cars

When you place your booking for car hire in advance, you will be able to choose the best car. You might already have a car in mind when you set out to make the reservation. You will be able to check out the options provided by the top rental companies and choose the vehicle of your choice without any difficulties when you make advanced reservations. If you approach a rental provider after reaching the country, your preferred car might not be available.

#3 Enjoy the best rates

Advanced reservations are the best way to enjoy budget car hire Singapore. You will be able to choose a car that falls within your budget easily and also enjoy additional discounts. Majority of the rental companies offer special discounts from time to time. This would not be available when you make a last minute booking after reaching Singapore.

#4 Enjoy the trip better

You will be able to kick-start the fun elements of the vacation right from the time you reach the airport if you make reservations. You will be provided with free airport transfer facilities by the good rental providers when you make bookings for weekly or monthly car hire Singapore. This will also save you from the hassle of relying on airport cabs to move out of the airport.

#5 Use the most convenient payment options

You will be able to make use of very convenient payment options when you use the online portals to book car rentals in the country. You will be able to make payments for ordinary as well as P Plate car rental services using your credit cards, debit cards or internet banking options with ease. When you do these, you will also be able to make use of promotional codes and gift vouchers, if available, to enjoy special discounts!

Why GPS Navigation system is important to drive through the Singapore roads

#1 You will not get lost

There are quite a lot of places to visit in Singapore when you are on a leisure trip. The roads are well constructed and you will find signboards that will direct you to the major tourist attractions. However, if you happen to miss out a signboard or misread something, you might end up lost. If you install a GPS navigation system when you choose car rental Singapore, you will never face difficulties in reaching your preferred destinations.

#2 You can save money on fuel

The GPS navigation systems will make sure that you take the right route to reach a place. You will not miss out on a turn or a crossroad when you follow the instructions provided by the navigation system. This will help you a lot in saving fuel. The instructions will be provided well in advance and you will have adequate time to prepare the vehicle to take a U-turn even.

#3 You can save your time

When you use GPS navigation system, you will be able to take shortcuts to reach a place. When you enter the destination after turning on your location, you will be provided with the shortest route to reach the place. The latest navigation systems used in the cars even allow users to update about traffic jams and road accidents. You might be able to get such useful information too when use a GPS navigation system. This will again help you to save a lot of time

#4 You will enjoy the trip better

You will not face any sort of difficulties in traveling to places of your preference when you use GPS navigation systems. If you are using P plate car rental, the navigation system will help a lot in making the trip better because it will make tracking the vehicle easy. If you avail monthly or weekly car hire Singapore, the total amount of time and money saved due to the navigation system will indeed make your trip amazing.