Driving On Expressways & In Tunnels - OneMotoring

• Home
• Driving
• Road Safety & Vehicle Rules
• Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels

Driving on Expressways & in Tunnels

When driving on expressways and in tunnels, be sure to follow these safety procedures.

When driving in road tunnels:

• Follow overhead lane use signs and traffic message signboards.
• Switch on vehicle headlights.
• Tune in to a local radio station.

Learn what to do in a tunnel emergency.

At a glance

Understanding safe driving for expressways and tunnels	There are 14 expressways and tunnels in Singapore. Follow these safety procedures when driving on expressways and in tunnels. If an incident occurs, the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) recovery crew and LTA traffic marshals will be activated to help clear the incident and restore normal traffic flow as quickly as possible.
Restrictions for expressways and tunnels	Pedestrians are not allowed on all expressways and in tunnels. Personal mobility devices (PMDs) are not allowed on all roads, and therefore cannot travel on expressways and in tunnels. Some vehicles are generally not allowed on expressways or in tunnels. If you need to drive excluded vehicles on expressways, or vehicles wider than 3m in tunnels, you can apply for a permit.
Driving safely on expressways	Before driving on an expressway, learn about Safe Driving Procedures on Expressways. In case of emergency on an expressway, follow the safety procedures.
Driving safely in tunnels	Before driving in a tunnel, learn about Safe Driving Procedures in Tunnels. Familiarise yourself with the safety features and emergency exits in different tunnels. In case of emergency in a tunnel, follow the safety procedures.

Expressways and Tunnels in Singapore

There are 14 expressways and tunnels. Some of the expressways also include expressway tunnels.

Expressways and tunnels in Singapore	Expressway	Tunnel
Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE)	✓
Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE)	✓
Central Expressway (CTE)	✓	✓
East Coast Parkway (ECP)	✓
Fort Canning Tunnel (FCT)	✓
Kallang- Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE)	✓	✓
Kranji Expressway (KJE)	✓
Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE)	✓	✓
North-South Corridor (NSC) [to be completed in phases from 2027]	✓	✓
Pan Island Expressway (PIE)	✓
Seletar Expressway (SLE)	✓
Sentosa Gateway Tunnel (SGT)	✓
Tampines Expressway (TPE)	✓
Woodsville Tunnel (WVT)	✓

Emergency Services for Expressways and Tunnels

If there is an incident on expressways or inside tunnels, the EMAS vehicle recovery crew is activated to ensure that the incident site is safe, and to tow away any stalled vehicles.

LTA Traffic Marshals control traffic and perform on-scene management duties such as assisting Traffic Police in preserving evidence for accidents involving injuries. They work together with the EMAS vehicle recovery crew, as well as the Traffic Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force to bring traffic back to normal as quickly as possible.

Restrictions for Expressways and Tunnels

For their safety, pedestrians are not allowed on all expressways and in tunnels. Personal mobility devices (PMDs) are not allowed on all roads, and therefore cannot travel on expressways and in tunnels.

Some vehicles are also not allowed on expressways and in tunnels.

Excluded Vehicles on Expressways

Generally, you cannot drive excluded vehicles on expressways, including expressway tunnels.

Excluded vehicles on expressway

The following vehicles are excluded from expressways:

• Bicycles
• Power-assisted bicycles
• Tricycles
• Trishaws
• Motorcycles with side cars attached
• Motorcycles for which the designed maximum speed is less than 50 kilometres per hour
• Invalid carriages
• Three-wheeled vans
• Low trailers
• Road rollers
• Ready-mix concrete trucks
• Mobile cranes
• Forklifts
• Excavators
• Road pavers
• Tractors
• Dumpers
• Wheel loaders
• Bulldozers
• Graders
• Mobile concrete pumps
• Hydrant dispensers
• Motor vehicles with any of the wheels fitted with neither a pneumatic tyre nor a solid rubber tyre
• Any other motor vehicle where the maximum speed at which it may be driven on any road under the Road Traffic (Regulation of Speed) Rules (R 13) is less than 50 kilometres per hour.

Apply for a permit to drive excluded vehicles on expressways

You are required to apply for a permit if you need to drive an expressway-excluded vehicle on an expressway due to route constraints or where there are no alternate routes to get to your destination without the use of expressways.

You can submit the permit application via LTA's online feedback form (attention to: Vehicle Approval and Control Division):

• Application form (XLS, 33kB)
• Endorsed scanned copy of the completed application form
• Supporting documents as listed in the application form

The processing time for the application may take about 14 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays).

You must comply with the approval details and conditions stated in LTA's approval letter and ensure that the approval letter is available in the vehicle for checks by LTA at all times.

Prohibited Vehicles in Tunnels

The following vehicles are not allowed to drive in all tunnels, including expressway tunnels.

• Bicycles, tricycles or trishaws
• Tankers carrying diesel fuel
• Trailers hauling standard containers
• Vehicles higher than 4.5m
• Vehicles wider than 3m
• Vehicles longer than 13m
• Vehicles transporting dangerous goods such as explosives and flammable or radioactive substances

In addition, these vehicles are not allowed to be driven in the Sentosa Gateway Tunnel:

• All buses and goods vehicles
• Vehicles higher than 3.5m

For vehicles wider than 3m, you can apply for an oversized vehicle movement (OVM) permit to drive them in tunnels.

This list of vehicles is not exhaustive. For more details on vehicle restrictions in tunnels, refer to the Road Traffic (Expressway Traffic) Rules.

Safe Driving Procedures on Expressways

When driving on expressways, be sure to:

• Plan your route
• Follow traffic signs
• Stay in lane
• Insert stored-value card into IU or OBU in advance
• Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel
• Secure all goods safely
• Keep left, if you are driving a heavy vehicle
• Keep to the speed limit

When on an expressway, do not:

• Tailgate
• Stop unless in an emergency
• Reverse your vehicle
• Drive on the road shoulder
• Drop off passengers or alight from the vehicle
• Attempt to refuel your vehicle

What to do in the event of an expressway emergency

Note: Charges apply for mobile calls to "1800" service lines and only calls made from regular land lines are free.

If your vehicle breaks down

1. Stop your vehicle at the road shoulder if possible.
2. Switch on your hazard lights.
3. For assistance, please call LTA at 1800-2255-582.
4. The EMAS vehicle recovery team will arrive to tow your vehicle to the nearest designated car park.

For your safety:

• Stay downstream from the vehicle, and behind the vehicle impact guardrail if possible.
• Be aware of oncoming traffic at all times.
• Do not attempt to repair your vehicle on the expressway.
• If it is unsafe to leave your vehicle, or you are unable to get your vehicle to the road shoulder, stay in your vehicle and call for assistance.

When calling LTA at 1800-2255-582 for help, provide your location on the expressway and direction of travel. Look out for nearby location markers:

• Kilometre marker
• Lamppost number
• Slip road

Vehicle breakdown recovery process

1. Upon arrival, the EMAS vehicle recovery crew will cordon off the incident site with traffic cones.
2. As it is dangerous to stay on the expressway, the EMAS vehicle recovery crew will advise you to stand behind the vehicle impact guardrail, or on the raised platform if you are in the tunnel, should it be possible.
3. The EMAS vehicle recovery crew will take photographs of the vehicle to record its condition before towing.
4. They will then inform you the nearest designated car park they will tow your vehicle to, so that you can arrange with your towing service provider to pick up your vehicle.
5. At the car park, the EMAS recovery crew will take photographs of the vehicle again and inform you that parking charges apply to your vehicle at the car park, while waiting for your towing service provider to arrive.

If your vehicle is involved in an accident

1. If there is an injury that needs attending to, dial 995 or 999.
2. Drive out of the expressway if you can and if there is no injury to attend to.
3. If your vehicle has stalled or you require any other assistance on the expressways and in road tunnels, please call LTA at 1800-2255-582.

Vehicle accident handling process

1. Upon arrival, the EMAS vehicle recovery crew and LTA traffic marshals will cordon off the accident site with traffic cones and give first aid to the injured, if necessary.
2. For cases involving injuries, the Traffic Police and SCDF will also be informed and dispatched.
3. At the accident site, the EMAS vehicle recovery crew and LTA traffic marshals will help in traffic control as well as rescue and recovery operations.
4. If required, the LTA traffic marshals will also perform on-scene management duties and record the accident details and evidence. The recovery crew will also take photographs of the accident vehicle. If given clearance by the Traffic Police, the vehicle will be towed to the nearest designated car park.

If your vehicle is on fire or emitting smoke

1. Stop your vehicle at the road shoulder, switch off the engine and move away from your vehicle.

2. Get help by:

• Dialling 995
• Using the nearest emergency SOS phone (every 100m, next to the left-most lane)

· - If you are driving an electric vehicle, provide the make, model and licence plate number.

• Using the fire break-glass unit at the fire service cabinet to sound an alarm

3. Use the portable fire extinguisher inside the fire service cabinet located at 50m intervals inside the tunnel.

4. For further assistance from the LTA Operation Control Centre, you can call 1800-2255-582.

5. Do not be alarmed if the overhead water sprinkler system is activated in the KPE, MCE, CTE, Woodsville or Sentosa Gateway Tunnels.

6. LTA, SCDF and Traffic Police response teams will arrive at the incident site to assist you.

If you require assistance or towing on expressways

1. Please call LTA at 1800-2255-582 for assistance.
2. Provide your location and direction of travel. Look out for nearby location markers:
   • Kilometre marker
   • Lamppost number
   • Slip road

If your vehicle is left unattended

1. The EMAS vehicle recovery crew will take photographs of the vehicle. If the doors are not locked, the crew will also list down the items inside.
2. The removable items found inside the vehicle will be brought to the LTA Operations Control Centre where you can claim them.

Once your vehicle has been towed away

You will be notified by post to contact the LTA Operations Control Centre to find out where your vehicle is and to make an appointment to collect your items.

You can also call 1800-2255-582 to enquire about your vehicle.

Driving Safely in Tunnels

As road tunnels are confined spaces, it is important to drive carefully and be familiar with safety and emergency procedures.

Safe Driving Procedures in Tunnels

When driving in road tunnels, be sure to:

• Tune in to a local radio station
• Plan your route
• Turn on headlights
• Follow traffic signs
• Stay in lane
• Insert stored value card into IU or OBU in advance
• Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel
• Secure all goods safely
• Keep left, if you are driving a heavy vehicle
• Keep to the speed limit
• Stow cranes on heavy vehicles before entering tunnels

When in a tunnel, do not:

• Overtake or tailgate
• Stop unless it is an emergency
• Reverse your vehicle
• Drive on the road shoulder
• Drop off passengers or alight from your vehicle
• Repair your vehicle or change tyres
• Attempt to refuel your vehicle

Safety features in Tunnels

Our road tunnels are monitored round the clock by LTA’s Operations Control Centre. When an incident occurs, our emergency protocol will be activated to manage the incident.

In the event of a fire, the tunnel ventilation system will remove smoke. The KPE, MCE, CTE, Woodsville Tunnel and Sentosa Gateway Tunnels are also equipped with an overhead water sprinkler system to help fight fires.

To facilitate evacuation on foot, there are emergency escape staircases and pedestrian cross passages located in longer tunnels such as the CTE, KPE and MCE.

Fire service cabinets are located every 50m in tunnels, next to the left-most lane. Emergency SOS phones are found every 100m, in alternate fire service cabinets.

Emergency exits in tunnels

If you have to evacuate any of the tunnels on foot, head for the nearest exit:

• For Woodsville Tunnel and Fort Canning Tunnel, head for the tunnel’s entrance, away from the incident or smoke.
• For CTE, KPE, MCE tunnels and Sentosa Gateway Tunnel, head for the emergency escape staircase, located every 500m in the tunnel next to the left-most lane. The stairs lead to the street level.
• For CTE, KPE and MCE tunnels, you can also head for the pedestrian cross passage, located every 100m next to the right-most lane. Pedestrian cross passages lead to the opposite bound tunnel.

CTE Tunnel emergency exit

KPE, MCE and Sentosa Gateway Tunnel emergency exit

In case of emergency in tunnels

When there is an emergency in the tunnel, you may:

• Hear the fire alarm and see flashing lights in the tunnel.
• Hear PA announcements in the tunnel.
• See red “X” crosses on lane use signs above all lanes.

Tune in to any local radio station for LTA’s emergency announcements.

What to do in a tunnel emergency

Note: Charges apply for mobile calls to "1800" service lines and only calls made from regular land lines are free.

If your vehicle breaks down

• Stop your vehicle at the road shoulder where possible.
• Switch on your vehicle hazard lights.
• Use the nearest emergency SOS phone (every 100 metres, next to left-most lane) to call for help from the LTA Operations Control Centre or call LTA at 1800-2255-582 for assistance.
• EMAS vehicle recovery crew will arrive at the incident site to tow your vehicle to the nearest designated car park.

For your safety,

• Move to and stay on the raised platform on the road shoulder, downstream of the vehicle.
• Be aware of oncoming traffic at all times.
• Do not attempt to repair your vehicle in the tunnel.
• As it is unsafe to remain in the tunnel, for your safety, you may be guided to leave the tunnel through the nearest escape staircase.
• If it is unsafe to leave your vehicle, or you are unable to get your vehicle to the road shoulder, stay in your vehicle and call for assistance.

When calling 1800-2255-582 for help, please provide your location in the tunnel and direction of travel. Look out for nearby:

• Emergency exit label
• Slip road
• Kilometre marker on the wall panels or raised platform

If your vehicle is involved in an accident

1. Drive out of the tunnel if there is no injury to attend to.
2. If there is an injury, dial 995/999.
3. If your vehicle has stalled or you need any other assistance, use the nearest emergency SOS phone (every 100 metres, next to left-most lane) to call for help from the LTA Operation Control Centre or call LTA at 1800-2255-582 for assistance.
4. LTA, SCDF and Traffic Police response teams will arrive at the incident site to assist you.

If your vehicle is on fire or emitting smoke

1. Stop your vehicle at the road shoulder, switch off the engine and move away from your vehicle.

2. Get help by:

• Dialling 995
• Using the nearest emergency SOS phone (every 100m, next to the left-most lane) · If you are driving an electric vehicle, provide the make, model and licence plate number.
• Using the fire break-glass unit at the fire service cabinet to sound an alarm

3. Use the portable fire extinguisher inside the fire service cabinet located at 50m intervals inside the tunnel.

4. For further assistance from the LTA Operation Control Centre, you can call 1800-2255-582.

5. Do not be alarmed if the overhead water sprinkler system is activated in the KPE, MCE, CTE, Woodsville or Sentosa Gateway Tunnels.

6. LTA, SCDF and Traffic Police response teams will arrive at the incident site to assist you.

If you are approaching an incident or accident site

1. Follow lane use signs above the lanes in tunnels.
2. Avoid lanes with a Red Cross “X” above. Proceed to drive past the incident site by following the Green Arrow Lane Use Sign above lanes that are passable.

3. Stop your vehicle when all Lane Use Signs show Red Cross “X” above the lanes.

3. Follow advisories on traffic message signboards.

4. Follow directions of police officers or LTA traffic marshals managing the incident.

If you are in the tunnel when an emergency occurs

1. Drive out immediately via the nearest exit where possible.

2. Stay vigilant and look out for lane use signs above the lanes:

• Lanes marked with red cross “X” – avoid the lane
• All lanes marked with red cross “X” – do not proceed any further

3. Tune in to any local radio station for LTA’s emergency announcements.

4. If you are instructed to evacuate and are unable to drive further, turn off your engine, leave your vehicle and proceed on foot to the nearest emergency exit.

Woodsville Tunnel and Fort Canning Tunnel

• Head for the tunnel entrance, away from the incident or smoke.

CTE, KPE, MCE tunnels and Sentosa Gateway Tunnel

Head for the nearest emergency exit which will have flashing lights:

• Emergency escape staircase, which is located every 500 metres in the tunnel next to the left-most lane. The stairs lead to street level.
• Pedestrian cross passage, which is located every 100 metres in the CTE, KPE and MCE tunnels next to the right-most lane. Pedestrian cross passages lead to the opposite bound tunnel.

5. Do not reverse your vehicle.

6. Be vigilant and look out for other motorists who are evacuating.

7. Do not be alarmed if the overhead water sprinkler system is activated in the KPE, MCE, CTE, Woodsville or Sentosa Gateway Tunnels.

8. Follow directions of police officers or marshals managing the incident.

CTE Tunnel emergency exit

KPE, MCE and Sentosa Gateway Tunnel emergency exit

If you are approaching the tunnel and there is an emergency

• Do not enter the tunnel.
• Look out for the lane use signs. Do not proceed further if all red crosses light up on the lane use signs.
• Look out for the messages displayed on the traffic message signboards.
• Take an alternative route.

Look out for messages displayed on the traffic message signboards and lane use signs