Heavy traffic expected at land checkpoints during September school holidays

SINGAPORE – Travellers to Malaysia can expect heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from Sept 5 to 15, in view of the school holidays during this period.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in an advisory on Sept 1 that travellers using the land checkpoints during these dates should expect longer waiting times to clear immigration.

Over the National Day long weekend from Aug 8 to 11, travellers in cars had to wait up to three hours to clear immigration due to traffic tailback from Malaysia. Nearly two million people crossed the two checkpoints during that period.

On Aug 8 alone, there was a peak of 558,000 people crossing the land checkpoints – 18,000 more travellers than in the same period in 2024.

“We seek travellers’ understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline. ICA will not hesitate to take stern action against travellers who do not comply with officers’ instructions and commit offences at the checkpoints,” said the authority.

Travellers should check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints beforehand, said ICA, adding that they can consider taking the cross-border bus services to avoid congestion.

Motorists can check the traffic situation via the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) One Motoring website or the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System installed along BKE and AYE.

They can also get updates through ICA’s Facebook and X accounts, and radio broadcasts on Money FM 89.3, One FM 91.3, Kiss92, 96.3 Hao FM and UFM100.3.

Those travelling by car and motorcycle are also encouraged to use QR codes instead of passports for faster and more convenient immigration clearance. However, they will still need to bring along their passports as it may be required overseas.

Those found cutting queues will be turned away and made to re-queue, ICA said.

Drivers of foreign vehicles

must

ensure that their Vehicle Entry Permit

s

(VEP

s

)

are

valid

, the authority added. Those who do not have a valid Autopass card, the VEP approval e-mail from LTA or valid insurance will be turned back.

Those with outstanding fines may also be denied entry into Singapore.

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