Whether you’ve just gotten your driving licence or have been behind the wheel for years, chances are you’ve found yourself in this situation. You’re in a rush, you’ve been circling for what feels like forever, and eventually, you spot a seemingly convenient lot.
It’s tempting to just park there anyway, but those few metres of convenience could cost you a fine, demerit points, or even put other road users at risk. Before you make that split-second decision to squeeze into a parking spot, here are 5 types of illegal parking in Singapore that drivers of all experience levels should know.
P.S. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, check out our list of free parking spots in Singapore for your next drive.
Image credit: Land Transport Authority via Facebook
Veteran drivers might start yawning at this, but some still try to argue that they weren’t actually “parking” when caught. Parking generally means stopping your vehicle for anything beyond immediately picking up or dropping off passengers, goods, or luggage. And yes, keeping the engine running or staying in your car doesn’t change that.
Do note that while this covers some of the more common parking pitfalls, it’s not an exhaustive list, and there are other parking offences to be aware of too.
Image credit: Kiwis Kiwis via Facebook
A seemingly harmless parking spot can still get you into trouble if you’re blocking the way. Avoid parking against the flow of traffic, on footways or shared paths, or in a way that blocks entrances, exits, and other road users.
Keep an eye out for “No Waiting” and “No Stopping” signs too, and avoid stopping beside a stationary vehicle if it causes an obstruction – because that could have you rack up demerit points.
Image credit: SG Road Vigilante via Facebook
It’s not just other road users you need to think about, as parking too close to traffic fixtures can also land you in trouble. Keep these distances in mind when parking: 3m from a fire hydrant, 6m from a junction, and 9m from the tip of a bus bay or a bus stop box.
You’ll also want to steer clear of taxi stands and taxi stops, where parking or stopping is prohibited. And, for obvious reasons, parking on a pedestrian crossing is a definite no-go.
Before pulling into that empty roadside space, pay attention to the road markings first. The yellow and white lines you see each come with their own set of rules that you cannot afford to get wrong.
Double yellow lines indicate no parking at any time, while a single yellow line prohibits parking from 7am-7pm, except on Sundays and public holidays. For yellow zig-zag lines, single ones prohibit parking at any time, while double ones mean you cannot park or stop there. Both also come with demerit points if you’re caught.
As for single white zig-zag lines, parking and stopping are prohibited at all times, while continuous single white lines prohibit parking on either side. With continuous double white lines, you also cannot cross them to change lanes.
Image credit: Hong Jieming via Facebook
It’s frustrating when you can’t just park your car, especially when you spot an empty one that seems too good to pass up. But before you take the chance, the colour of the lot does matter. Bi-colour lots are for season parking holders during restricted hours, typically from 7pm-7am, Monday to Saturday, and all day on Sundays and public holidays.
Another spot you can’t camp out in is the loading and unloading bay. These spaces are meant for moving goods and heavy items, usually with a time limit, so if you’re not actually loading or unloading anything, don’t leave your car there.
You’ll also want to watch out for accessible parking lots, which are marked with the blue wheelchair symbol. They are meant for vehicles carrying drivers or passengers with physical disabilities who have a valid LTA-issued Car Park Label, which must be clearly displayed on the windscreen.
Image credit: Parking.sg
This might sound like the most basic of the lot, but it’s also one of the easiest to forget when parking roadside. One of the most common mistakes is simply forgetting to start a parking session after parking on the Parking.sg app (App Store | Google Play). Other slip-ups include leaving your car parked after your digital session has expired without extending it, or entering the wrong vehicle information when starting your session.
Pro tip: It’s better to overstate your parking duration within the app than to forget to extend the session. If you end early, simply cancel the remaining duration, and you’ll be refunded the unused amount.
Image credit: Land Transport Authority via Facebook
Several agencies enforce parking rules in Singapore, including the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), and Housing & Development Board (HDB). Here are some of the fines you could incur for common parking offences:
| Offence | Fine (Light Vehicle) | Fine (Heavy Vehicle) | Demerit Points |
| Failing to comply with “No Stopping” / “No Waiting” sign | $70 first/$110 repeat | $100 first/$150 repeat | – |
| Parking a vehicle within 3m of a fire hydrant, 6m of a road or street junction, or 9m of a bus stop | $70 first/$110 repeat | $100 first/$150 repeat | – |
| Stopping or parking a vehicle at a taxi stop or taxi stand | $50 first/$80 repeat | $80 first/$120 repeat | – |
| Parking a vehicle on a road which has an unbroken white line or unbroken double white lines | $70 first/$110 repeat | $100 first/$150 repeat | – |
| Parking a vehicle on a road with an unbroken yellow line or unbroken double yellow lines | $70 first/$110 repeat | $100 first/$150 repeat | – |
| Stopping a vehicle on a road in a position that is likely to cause danger or undue inconvenience to other road users | $300 first/$450 repeat | $300 first/$450 repeat | – |
| Parking a vehicle within a pedestrian crossing | $120 first/$180 repeat | $150 first/$230 repeat | 3 |
| Parking a vehicle on a road with a single yellow zig-zag line, or on the adjacent footpath | $120 first/$180 repeat | $150 first/$230 repeat | 3 |
| Stopping a vehicle on a road with double yellow zig-zag lines, or on the adjacent footpath | $120 first/$180 repeat | $150 first/$230 repeat | 3 |
| Stopping a vehicle in a zebra-controlled area | $120 first/$180 repeat | $150 first/$230 repeat | 3 |
| Failure to pay parking charge prior to leaving a parking place. | $70 | $100 | – |
| Parking after the expiry of the parking session. | 30 minutes or less – $8 30 minutes-1 hour – $12 Exceeds 1 hour – $24 | 30 minutes or less – $16 30 minutes-1 hour – $24 Exceeds 1 hour – $48 | – |
| Parking in a parking place not designated for the use of that class of vehicle. | $70 | $100 | – |
| Unauthorised parking in a reserved parking lot or parking without displaying an authorised label. | $70 ($200 for unauthorised parking in an accessible lot) | $100 ($200 for unauthorised parking in an accessible lot) | – |
For more information on fines for different offences, you can refer to LTA’s OneMotoring website and HDB’s Parking Rules and Penalties. Fines can also be paid through the respective agencies’ online payment portals.
If you wish to appeal a parking offence, you can do so via the HDB Parking Fines e-Service portal, Pay LTA Fines and ERP Charges, or at any AXS machine, if you have a valid reason. Be sure to include relevant supporting documents to substantiate your appeal.
Parking in Singapore isn’t always as simple as finding an empty lot, as you also need to make sure you can legally park there. If you’re a new driver, keep this guide handy to avoid parking in the wrong places and picking up an unnecessary fine.
For more Singapore driving guides:
Cover image adapted from: SG Road Vigilante, Kiwis Kiwis & CocoManatee via Facebook
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