Is a trip across international borders in a foreign country your next big adventure? We’re not denying that it looks like a thrilling adventure. After all, the freedom to stop wherever you like, whenever you like, and to explore the area at your own pace while still having that choice seems appealing. But did you know that an international driving permit (IDP) is needed to operate a motor vehicle in some cities? In case you needed any more details, here they are.
Due to the IDP’s translations of key driving terms into several additional languages, it may be useful in easing the stress of foreign-language driving for those living in countries where English is not the primary language.
If you ever find yourself in any of the following situations abroad:
- Rental Cars
- Moving violations
- Incidents in Traffic
- Fraudulent auto insurance claims
- The driver must present a photograph of themselves for verification purposes.
Where exactly does the IDP need to be located?
You may be wondering if, in addition to your Singaporean licence, you will also require an International Driving Permit (IDP) to operate a motor vehicle in your destination country. Considering there is no all-inclusive list of countries that recognise the local licence, it is recommended to check with the embassy of the destination country before making plans to travel there.
Tonga, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan
Or, to put it another way, driving while visiting any of the above nations is against the law. Consider abandoning all hopes of renting a car and exploring on your own if you plan to visit one of these countries.
Make sure your ID is still current
You must have a valid driver’s licence issued by your home country with the IDP for it to be recognised as valid. Consequently, you should never embark on a road trip outside of Singapore unless you have a valid Singaporean driver’s licence. Moreover, the IDP is only good for a single year from the date it was granted. Due to the fact that it is not automatically renewed, you will have to reapply for it when it expires.
That’s right, you can either drive on the right or the left!
Driving on the left side of the road is the norm in Singapore. But don’t assume that every country is the same. As with most other countries that were once British colonies, driving in Singapore is done on the left side of the road.
Automobiles with manual transmission versus those with automatic transmission
It’s easy to get around once you’ve rented a car, and driving around your destination is a breeze. The two most common kinds of transmissions are automatic and manual. Since automatic gearboxes are so easy to use, they are becoming increasingly popular around the world. However, renting an automated vehicle may be prohibitively expensive or perhaps impossible in many nations.
Due to the smaller size of manual transmission automobiles, which results in improved fuel efficiency, manual transmissions are more common than automatic transmissions in Europe. Renting an automatic vehicle might be up to 50% more expensive than renting a vehicle with a manual transmission. Therefore, it is crucial to do sufficient study to find the rental car company that accommodates both your budgetary limits and individual preferences.
