ICA officers at S’pore checkpoints can now test motorists for drink driving

Thinking of chugging some alcohol in Johor Bahru (JB) before driving back to Singapore? Think twice.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers have now been granted powers to administer breath tests at Singapore's land and sea checkpoints.

This new measure comes into effect from Oct. 3, as part of amendments to Singapore's Road Traffic Act that were passed in parliament in January 2025.

What happens if you fail or refuse the test

The new powers will enable ICA to protect public safety and strengthen protective security measures across the land and sea checkpoints, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

Motorists and cargo drivers who fail the breath test will be arrested and handed over to the Singapore Police Force for follow-up action.

Those who refuse to comply with the administration of the breath test are deemed to have committed an offence.

If convicted, first-time offenders can be fined between $$1,000 and S$5,000 or jailed for up to six months.

Repeat offenders can be fined between S$3,000 and S$10,000 and jailed for up to 12 months.

Drink driving arrests went up in 2025

MHA said it takes a serious view of drink driving and urged all motorists to act responsibly.

According to police statistics, the number of persons arrested for drink driving increased by 5.4 per cent to 862 in the first half of 2025.

The offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol carries a fine ranging from S$2,000 to S$10,000, or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.

For repeat offenders, the offence carries a fine ranging from S$5,000 to S$20,000, and a jail term of up to two years.

Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.

To facilitate enforcement efforts, the traffic police have started trialling a new breathalyser that prints results on the spot, which are accurate enough to be used as evidence in court.

It has been deployed in operational trials since Sep. 5.

More about the new traffic laws

The Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2025 was passed in Parliament on Jan. 7.

The act removes mandatory minimum sentences and the disqualification period for first-time dangerous and careless driving offenders, among other traffic offences.

This will allow courts the flexibility to decide on the appropriate sentence in every case depending on the circumstances.

Another change is for a motorist’s licence to remain suspended until their court matters have been concluded.

The first set of amendments was operationalised on Jun. 12, 2025.

The other provisions under the Act will be operationalised subsequently, MHA said on Oct. 2.

Related

Top image from ICA/Facebook