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Easy-to-remember tips

Short memory hooks for test format, speed limits, demerit points, signs and right-of-way — the rules that come up again and again in BTT, FTT, RTT and Japan written tests.

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Singapore — memory hooks

Theory test format

"50-50-90"
BTT / FTT / RTT
Why it works: 50 questions, 50 minutes, pass 45 correct (90%). All three Singapore theory tests use the same format.
"BTT before FTT"
Test order
Why it works: Pass BTT first → start practical lessons → pass FTT (or RTT for motorcycles) after at least 5 lessons → book the Traffic Police practical test.

Speed & following distance

"Only a fool breaks the 2-second rule"
Safe following distance
Why it works: Pick a fixed marker at the roadside. When the car ahead passes it, you should reach it no sooner than 2 seconds later — double it to 4 in rain.
"50 in town, 90 on the E-way"
Default speed limits
Why it works: Built-up roads default to 50 km/h; expressways go up to 90 km/h unless a sign says otherwise.
"School & silver = 40"
Lower speed zones
Why it works: School zones (7 am–7 pm on school days) and silver zones when amber lights flash both mean 40 km/h.

Alcohol & safety

"35 breath · 80 blood"
Legal alcohol limits
Why it works: 35 µg per 100 ml breath or 80 mg per 100 ml blood. New drivers: zero tolerance in the first year.
"Belt every seat"
Seat belts
Why it works: Front and rear occupants must wear seat belts. Children under 1.35 m need an approved child restraint.

Demerit points & signs

"24 → out for 3"
Suspension threshold
Why it works: 24 demerit points within 24 months means a 3-month suspension. New drivers are suspended at just 12 points in their first year.
"Red says NO, Blue says GO"
Sign colours
Why it works: Red-ringed signs prohibit (no entry, no parking). Blue signs are mandatory instructions (keep left, turn left).
"Triangle = think ahead"
Warning signs
Why it works: Triangular red-border signs warn of a hazard coming up — a bend, junction, or crossing.
"Octagon = STOP"
Stop sign
Why it works: The only octagonal sign is STOP — wheels must stop completely at the stop line before proceeding.

Right of way & junctions

"Uncontrolled = yield right"
Unmarked junctions
Why it works: At junctions without traffic lights or signs, give way to traffic approaching from your right.
"Roundabout: give way to the circle"
Roundabouts
Why it works: Slow down, look right, and give way to vehicles already circulating before you enter.
"Right turn waits for oncoming"
Turning right
Why it works: When turning right, yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning left.

Expressway, crossings & parking

"Yellow box = don't block"
Yellow box junction
Why it works: Enter a yellow box only if your exit is clear — never block crossing traffic.
"Zig-zag = no stop"
Pedestrian crossings
Why it works: Zig-zag lines near crossings mean no stopping or parking — keeps pedestrians visible.
"Left lane on the E-way"
Expressway discipline
Why it works: Keep left unless overtaking. Minimum speed is typically 60 km/h — don't obstruct faster traffic.
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Japan — memory hooks

Theory test format

"仮免 50 · 本免 95"
Written test sizes
Why it works: Provisional 仮免学科: 50 Q, 45 min, pass 45/50. Final 本免学科: 95 Q, 50 min, pass 86/95 — both need 90%.
"仮 before 本"
Licence stages
Why it works: At a driving school: pass 仮免学科 + 仮免技能 → get provisional licence → complete on-road training → pass 本免学科 at the centre.

Speed & lane

"60 general, 100 expressway"
Default speed limits
Why it works: Ordinary roads default to around 60 km/h; expressways go up to 100 km/h unless posted otherwise. Residential zones: 30 km/h.
"Keep left, pass right"
Lane discipline
Why it works: Drive in the left lane and use the right lane only to overtake — then move back left.
"Joko = 1 metre stop"
徐行 (slow driving)
Why it works: 徐行 means slow enough to stop within 1 metre at any moment — common in residential areas and near crossings.

Points & drink-driving

"15 points = licence gone"
Revocation
Why it works: Reaching 15 violation points (or fewer with a prior suspension on record) means your licence is revoked.
"6-9-12-15"
Suspension steps
Why it works: 6–8 pts = 30 days off, 9–11 = 60 days, 12–14 = 90 days, 15+ = revocation. Count points in a rolling 1-year window.
"In Japan, aim for ZERO alcohol"
Drink-driving
Why it works: The legal limit is very low and penalties are severe — the safe memory rule is simply never drink and drive.

Signals & signs

"赤 stop · 青 go · 黄 slow"
Traffic lights
Why it works: Red means stop, green (called 青) means go, amber means stop if you safely can — never speed up to beat it.
"一時停止 = full stop + look both ways"
Stop sign (一時停止)
Why it works: Stop completely at the stop line, check left and right, then proceed only when safe.
"No sign = yield right"
Unmarked intersections
Why it works: At intersections without signals or signs, yield to vehicles from the right. Broad road beats narrow road.

Turns, crossings & expressway

"Left turn: cyclists & walkers first"
Left turn priority
Why it works: When turning left, cyclists and pedestrians crossing have priority — check mirrors and blind spots.
"Lights on in tunnels"
Headlights
Why it works: Switch on headlights in tunnels and at night — even when street lighting is present.
"Expressway min 50"
Highway rules
Why it works: Do not drive too slowly on expressways — minimum is typically 50 km/h. Use the passing lane only to overtake.
Singapore Driving Theory Test — BTT, FTT, RTT Practice | TheoryLane