Driver Who’s Caught Flouting 3/4 Tank Rule at Checkpoint Dragged ICA Officer; Arrested for Rash Act

If you’ve been driving for a while, you’re likely familiar with the rules and regulations you need to follow when driving up north to visit Malaysia, our neighbouring country.

One of the most widely known rules for drivers is the “three-quarter tank rule”. 

This rule requires Singapore-registered vehicles to have a minimum amount of motor fuel, equivalent to at least three-quarters of the tank, when exiting Singapore through the land checkpoints.

However, as with any set of rules, there are always individuals willing to take the risk and violate them.

Driver Who’s Caught Flouting 3/4 Tank Rule at Checkpoint Dragged ICA Officer; Arrested for Rash Act

On 12 December 2023, a 38-year-old Singaporean driver was arrested following a reckless incident.

According to The Straits Times, the incident unfolded when the driver was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint for allegedly violating the three-quarter tank rule for vehicles exiting Singapore.

He intended to leave Singapore through the Woodlands Checkpoint, as the police said.

When an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer instructed the driver to surrender his passport, park the vehicle, and follow him to the ICA Duty Office, the driver refused to cooperate.

Instead, the driver accelerated forward, dragging the officer several metres. The vehicle came dangerously close to hitting a pedestrian and other parked cars nearby.

In a statement on 13 December 2023, the police said, “As a result of the incident, the ICA officer suffered bodily pain and was subsequently conveyed conscious to the hospital”.

Following the alleged incident, the Singaporean man, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle, was arrested for causing injury through reckless behaviour.

He will face charges under the Penal Code for the offence of causing injury through reckless behaviour that jeopardises the lives or safety of others. 

This offence is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

The police emphasised that ICA officers stationed at the checkpoints are committed to protecting Singapore’s borders and carrying out their duties accordingly.

Motorists utilising the checkpoints must prioritise safe driving and adhere to traffic regulations, not only for their own safety but also for the safety of our officers. Authorities will take strict enforcement measures against clear violations of these rules, they added.

The police also reiterated the importance of compliance with the three-quarter tank rule for travellers driving Singapore-registered vehicles when leaving the country.

According to the Customs Act, Singapore-registered vehicles must have at least three-quarters of fuel in their tanks when exiting Singapore through land checkpoints.

Those found in violation may face a composition fine of up to $500 or legal prosecution. Additionally, they will be denied entry into Malaysia and turned back at the checkpoints.

Therefore, it is advisable to refuel in Singapore to avoid such penalties, even if fuel prices are significantly lower in Malaysia.

Singaporean Men Criticised for Filling Jerry Can With Fuel in JB

The three-quarter tank rule has been a popular and much-debated topic among Singaporean drivers.

Singapore residents are well aware that fueling up their vehicles in Malaysia is significantly cheaper than doing so in Singapore.

In June 2023, two Singaporean men took this cost-saving strategy quite seriously when they decided to fill a jerry can with fuel at a Johor Bahru petrol station.

As the Malaysian newspaper Malay Mail reported, a Malaysian police statement on Facebook revealed that the car involved was registered in Singapore. 

Additionally, the police reportedly mentioned that the men had intended to use the fuel for go-karts.