The motorists were stopped as they entered the city-state from Sept. 28 to 30 and told to settle fines for traffic and vehicular offenses, The Straits Times reported, citing a joint statement issued by six government agencies on Oct. 8.

The checks took place at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. The two crossings link Singapore with the Malaysian state of Johor.

The Traffic Police led the operation, supported by officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the Housing and Development Board, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the National Environment Agency and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

The sum works out to an average of more than S$2,400 per motorist. A similar three-day operation from Oct. 6 to 8, 2025 recovered more than S$619,000 from 241 foreign motorists, according to a police statement at the time.

The agencies said Singapore takes a serious view of foreign motorists who commit offenses in the country and fail to pay their fines, and that it regularly mounts operations against them. Those with outstanding fines for traffic, parking or vehicular emissions offenses may be denied entry.

"All motorists are required to abide by Singapore laws and play their part in building a positive road safety culture," the agencies said, listing obligations such as keeping to speed limits, obeying traffic signals, paying Electronic Road Pricing and parking charges, parking legally and staying within emissions limits.

Vehicles drive at an intersection in the Chinatown district of Singapore on Oct. 7, 2024. Photo by AFP

From Nov. 2, foreign-registered vehicles with outstanding fines for traffic, parking or vehicular emissions offenses committed in Singapore will no longer be able to apply for or renew a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), which every foreign-registered vehicle needs to enter the country.

The rule, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and LTA on May 15, extends existing enforcement under which such vehicles can be refused entry only when they arrive at a land checkpoint, Malaysian national news agency Bernama reported.

Vehicles without a valid permit will be turned back to Malaysia.

Since Oct. 6, travelers arriving in foreign-registered cars through Woodlands or Tuas have also been unable to submit their Singapore Arrival Card unless the car has a valid VEP, a check ICA announced on Sept. 22, Malay Mail reported.

The agencies urged foreign motorists to check for outstanding fines at axs.com.sg before applying for or renewing a VEP and before entering Singapore. Fines can be paid at AXS kiosks, on the AXS website and mobile app, or through the websites and customer service counters of the agencies concerned.

LTA advises motorists to apply for a VEP at least two weeks before their intended entry date, as payment service providers may take up to two calendar days to update the agencies' records.