Regulation 1
Citation
These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules.
/akn/sg/act/sub_leg/1961/RTA-R19
Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules
The full official text, structured for quick navigation. Copy any provision or jump straight to a section.
- Type
- Subsidiary Legislation
- Status
- In force
- Enacted
- 1961
- Sections
- 14
Quick answer
About this subsidiary legislation
Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules is Singapore Subsidiary Legislation, cited as Subsidiary Legislation RTA-R19 1961, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1961.
Regulation 2
Definitions
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —“activation speed” means the speed of a vehicle above which the lamps and buzzer of any speed warning device of the vehicle shall flash and buzz respectively;[Deleted by S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025]“appointed contractor” means a person engaged in writing by an authorised person (whether under any contract or other arrangement) to do one or more of the following:
(a)
install a speed warning device;
(b)
repair a speed warning device;
(c)
calibrate a speed warning device;“authorised person” means a person authorised by the Registrar under rule 6 to —
(a)
carry out the installation, repair and calibration of the speed warning device of a vehicle; and
(b)
seal the speed warning device;“seal”, when used as a noun, means the appliance —
(a)
issued by the Registrar and labelled with a unique serial number; and
(b)
which is affixed or is to be affixed to a speed warning device to prevent any unauthorised adjustment of the activation speed of the vehicle or any other tampering with the speed warning device;“seal”, when used as a verb, means the affixing of a seal to a speed warning device to prevent any unauthorised adjustment of the activation speed of the vehicle or any other tampering with the speed warning device;“speed warning device” is a device consisting of any lamp, buzzer, speed sensor, transmission cable and electrical connection which together form a device that gives a visual and audio warning to the driver of the vehicle in which the device is installed that the speed of the vehicle exceeds the statutory speed limit for the vehicle as prescribed in the Road Traffic (Regulation of Speed) Rules [R 13].
Definition
“activation speed” means the speed of a vehicle above which the lamps and buzzer of any speed warning device of the vehicle shall flash and buzz respectively;
Definition
“appointed contractor” means a person engaged in writing by an authorised person (whether under any contract or other arrangement) to do one or more of the following:
(a)
install a speed warning device;
(b)
repair a speed warning device;
(c)
calibrate a speed warning device;
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Definition
“authorised person” means a person authorised by the Registrar under rule 6 to —
(a)
carry out the installation, repair and calibration of the speed warning device of a vehicle; and
(b)
seal the speed warning device;
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Definition
“seal”, when used as a noun, means the appliance —
(a)
issued by the Registrar and labelled with a unique serial number; and
(b)
which is affixed or is to be affixed to a speed warning device to prevent any unauthorised adjustment of the activation speed of the vehicle or any other tampering with the speed warning device;
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Definition
“seal”, when used as a verb, means the affixing of a seal to a speed warning device to prevent any unauthorised adjustment of the activation speed of the vehicle or any other tampering with the speed warning device;
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Definition
“speed warning device” is a device consisting of any lamp, buzzer, speed sensor, transmission cable and electrical connection which together form a device that gives a visual and audio warning to the driver of the vehicle in which the device is installed that the speed of the vehicle exceeds the statutory speed limit for the vehicle as prescribed in the Road Traffic (Regulation of Speed) Rules [R 13].
Regulation 2A
What is an approved speed warning device
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
For the purposes of rule 3 and subject to paragraph (2), a speed warning device is treated as an approved speed warning device if —
(a)
the speed warning device is installed in the vehicle by an authorised person or an appointed contractor who is engaged by an authorised person to install a speed warning device;
(b)
the speed warning device is sealed by —
(i)
if the speed warning device is installed in the vehicle by an authorised person — that authorised person; and
(ii)
if the speed warning device is installed in the vehicle by an appointed contractor who is engaged by an authorised person to install a speed warning device — the authorised person who engaged that appointed contractor;
(c)
the speed warning device is of a type and design approved by the Registrar for that class of vehicle; and
(d)
the speed warning device is constructed and installed in accordance with rule 4.
Subregulation 2
A speed warning device ceases to be an approved speed warning device if —
(a)
the speed warning device is calibrated or repaired by any person other than an authorised person or an appointed contractor who is engaged by an authorised person to calibrate or repair (as the case may be) a speed warning device; or
(b)
the seal on the speed warning device is broken.
Regulation 3
Application
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 195/98 wef 01/04/1998
Subregulation 1
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Every vehicle to which these Rules apply must be installed with an approved speed warning device.
Subregulation 2
Amended byS 195/98 wef 01/04/1998
These Rules shall apply to —
(a)
any goods vehicle having a maximum laden weight of not more than 3.0 metric tons which is registered using a certificate of entitlement issued before 1st April 1998; or
(b)
any goods vehicle having a maximum laden weight of not more than 3.5 metric tons which is registered using a certificate of entitlement issued on or after 1st April 1998.
Subregulation 3
These Rules shall not apply to a trivan or motor cycle with a sidecar attached thereto.
Regulation 3A
General powers of Registrar or authorised officer
Amended byS 470/2017 wef 24/08/2017
Subregulation 1
The Registrar or an authorised officer may, by notice, require the owner of a vehicle to furnish evidence that the vehicle complies with all or any of the provisions of these Rules.
Subregulation 2
The Registrar or an authorised officer may, in any particular case, upon the application of any person, waive the operation of any provisions in these Rules in relation to that person or a vehicle that is the subject of that application, subject to such conditions as the Registrar or the authorised officer may impose.
Subregulation 3
In this rule, “authorised officer” has the same meaning as in section 6(4) of the Act.
Regulation 4
Speed warning device
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 210/2001 wef 16/04/2001S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 210/2001 wef 16/04/2001S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
A speed warning device installed in a motor vehicle under these Rules must consist of the following parts built into a single unit:
(a)
a lamp;
(b)
a buzzer;
(c)
a switch that —
(i)
is for the purposes of testing whether the lamp and buzzer mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) are working; and
(ii)
when switched on causes —
(A)
the lamp mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) to light up; and
(B)
the buzzer mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) to produce a warning sound.
Subregulation 2
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
The speed warning device must be installed in the motor vehicle in a position that allows —
(a)
the light emitted by the speed warning device to be clearly visible to the driver (called X) when driving the vehicle;
(b)
the warning sound produced by the speed warning device to be audible to X when driving the vehicle; and
(c)
the switch on the speed warning device to be switched on without disassembling any part of the vehicle.
Subregulation 3
Amended byS 210/2001 wef 16/04/2001S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 210/2001 wef 16/04/2001S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
The speed warning device shall be so constructed that —
(a)
when the vehicle in which the device is installed exceeds the statutory speed limit for the vehicle as prescribed in the Road Traffic (Regulation of Speed) Rules [R 13] —
(i)
the lamp shows a flashing light; and
(ii)
the buzzer produces a warning sound; and
(b)
when the vehicle is stationary, with its engine running, the lamp is lit.
Subregulation 4
[Deleted by S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025]
Subregulation 5
All exposed electrical connections of the speed warning device shall be made of coaxial cable or of an approved design.
Subregulation 6
The speed warning device shall be capable of being sealed against any unauthorised adjustment of the activation speed of the vehicle.
Regulation 5
Repealed / deleted
[Deleted by S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025]
Regulation 6
Authorisation by Registrar
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
The Registrar may authorise a person, subject to such conditions as the Registrar may impose, to —
(a)
install a speed warning device in a vehicle under these Rules;
(b)
repair and calibrate such speed warning device; and
(c)
seal the speed warning device.
Subregulation 2
[Deleted by S 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025]
Subregulation 3
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Any authorisation may be terminated by the Registrar by notice to the authorised person if the Registrar is satisfied of any of the following:
(a)
the authorised person has not performed the authorised person’s work satisfactorily;
(b)
any appointed contractor engaged by the authorised person has not performed any installation, repair or calibration of a speed warning device satisfactorily;
(c)
the authorised person has contravened any condition attached to the authorised person’s authorisation.
Subregulation 4
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
The authorisation is terminated on the date specified in the notice.
Subregulation 5
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
If an authorised person intends to cease performing the works mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), (b) and (c), the authorised person must notify the Registrar of the intended cessation at least 3 months before the intended date of cessation.
Regulation 7
Duties of authorised person
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
An authorised person must ensure that —
(a)
every installation, repair or calibration of a speed warning device in a vehicle mentioned in rule 3(2) that is undertaken by the authorised person is performed satisfactorily; and
(b)
every installation, repair or calibration of a speed warning device in a vehicle mentioned in rule 3(2) that is performed by an appointed contractor engaged by the authorised person is performed satisfactorily.
Subregulation 2
For the purposes of paragraph (1), an installation, repair or calibration of a speed warning device is treated to be satisfactorily performed if —
(a)
in the case of an installation — the speed warning device is installed in accordance with rule 4(2) and the manufacturer’s instructions, if any; and
(b)
in the case of a repair or calibration — the speed warning device is capable of operating in the manner as specified in rule 4(3) after the repair or calibration, as the case may be.
Subregulation 3
A person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —
(a)
in the case of a first offence — to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both; and
(b)
in the case of a second or subsequent offence — to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Regulation 8
Duties of owner
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
The owner of a vehicle installed with an approved speed warning device under these Rules must ensure that —
(a)
the approved speed warning device or any cable or wire connected with its operation is not adjusted or tampered with in any manner that prevents the device from operating as specified in rule 4(3);
(b)
any seal on the approved speed warning device is not broken;
(c)
if the seal is broken — the vehicle is sent to an authorised person or appointed contractor for the device to be checked and resealed; and
(d)
the approved speed warning device is accurate and in a proper working condition at all times.
Subregulation 2
A person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —
(a)
in the case of a first offence — to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both; and
(b)
in the case of a second or subsequent offence — to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Regulation 9
Driving with faulty speed warning device, etc.
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
A person commits an offence if the person drives a vehicle installed with a speed warning device under these Rules when the device is faulty or when any of the seals on the device is broken.
Subregulation 2
In a prosecution of a person for an offence under paragraph (1), it is a defence for the person charged to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that the person charged drove the vehicle for the sole purpose of having the vehicle sent to an authorised person or appointed contractor for the speed warning device to be checked, repaired or resealed.
Subregulation 3
A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable on conviction —
(a)
in the case of a first offence — to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both; and
(b)
in the case of a second or subsequent offence — to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Regulation 10
Unauthorised works
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
A person commits an offence if —
(a)
the person installs, repairs or calibrates any speed warning device in a vehicle mentioned in rule 3(2); and
(b)
at the time the speed warning device is installed, repaired or calibrated (as the case may be), the person is not an authorised person or an appointed contractor who is engaged by an authorised person to carry out the installation, repair or calibration of the speed warning device, as the case may be.
Subregulation 2
A person commits an offence if —
(a)
the person seals any speed warning device; and
(b)
at the time the speed warning device is sealed, the person is not an authorised person.
Subregulation 3
A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be liable on conviction —
(a)
in the case of a first offence — to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both; and
(b)
in the case of a second or subsequent offence — to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Regulation 11
Counterfeiting seals
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
A person commits an offence if —
(a)
the person makes any appliance that is identical to or so nearly resembling a seal issued by the Registrar as to be calculated to deceive;
(b)
the person affixes an appliance mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) to a speed warning device; or
(c)
the person alters a seal in a way that is calculated to deceive.
Subregulation 2
A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable on conviction —
(a)
in the case of a first offence — to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both; and
(b)
in the case of a second or subsequent offence — to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Regulation 12
Tampering with speed warning device, etc.
Amended byS 834/2025 wef 29/12/2025
Subregulation 1
A person commits an offence if —
(a)
the person adjusts or tampers with an approved speed warning device or any cable or wire connected with its operation in any manner that prevents the device from operating as specified in rule 4(3); or
(b)
the person breaks any seal on an approved speed warning device, except as authorised by the Registrar.
Subregulation 2
A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable on conviction —
(a)
in the case of a first offence — to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both; and
(b)
in the case of a second or subsequent offence — to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Common questions
- What is Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules?
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules is Singapore Subsidiary Legislation, cited as Subsidiary Legislation RTA-R19 1961, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1961.
- Is Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules still in force?
- Yes — Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules is currently in force.
- When did Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules take effect?
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules was first recorded in 1961.
- How many regulations does Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules have?
- Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules contains 14 regulations.
- Where can I read the official version of Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules?
- The official text of Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Warning Device) Rules is published at sso.agc.gov.sg.