Let’s be honest – crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border by car has become a bit of a nightmare lately.

If you’ve been putting off that JB food trip or Legoland adventure because you’re dreading the border crossing, we totally get it.

But here’s the thing: with the right knowledge and timing, you can still make it work without losing your sanity.

Whether you’re planning a quick dim sum run to JB, taking the family to Legoland, or just need to pop over for some serious shopping therapy at City Square Mall, this guide will help you cross the border like a pro.

The new crossing reality

If you haven’t crossed the border recently, prepare yourself for some major changes.

• VEP entry requirements
• QR code entry

Every Singapore-registered vehicle must have a VEP to enter Malaysia.

The traffic situation has also gotten intense, with over 562,000 people crossing on peak days, and waiting times stretching up to 3 hours during the worst periods.

Most people are crossing at the exact same times. If you’re smart about when you travel, you can still have a relatively smooth experience.

Both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints have fully rolled out QR code passport-less entry since January 2025. With just the QR code generated from the MyICA app, you can cross immigration without taking out your passport.

VEP reality

Be sure to get your VEP sorted before you even think about driving into JB. The entire process takes 1-2 weeks at minimum. You can’t apply for the VEP at the border.

The VEP comes with an RFID tag. You stick it on your windscreen or headlamp. It’s linked to your Touch ‘n Go wallet. This allows automatic payment of the RM20 road charge every time you enter Malaysia.

Guide to Applying for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for Singapore Drivers

How to decide between Woodlands vs Tuas checkpoints

The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think, and it depends on where you’re going and when you’re traveling.

Woodlands checkpoint

Woodlands is still the main gateway, and for good reason. It’s the shortest path to the city centre where most of the fun is located.

If you’re heading to JB city center – think City Square Mall, KSL Mall, or those amazing zi char places in Taman Sentosa – Woodlands is your best bet.

• The Good: Direct access to JB city center, multiple food and shopping options nearby, familiar layout for experienced travelers.
• The Not-So-Good: This is where everyone goes, so it gets congested fast. Weekend traffic here can be absolutely brutal.
• Best Times: Weekday mornings between 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM are golden. Avoid Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons like the plague.

Tuas Second Link

Tuas is a secret weapon, especially for certain types of trips. If you’re heading to Legoland, Premium Outlets, or anywhere in Iskandar Puteri, Tuas can actually save you time overall even though it’s further from central Singapore.

• The Good: Less crowded, newer facilities, better organized queuing areas, direct highway access for onward travel towards KL
• The Not-So-Good: Longer drive from most parts of Singapore, not ideal if you’re staying in JB city center.
• Pro Tip: Tuas handles bad weather better than Woodlands. If it’s raining heavily, Tuas is often the smarter choice.

Our preference for Tuas or Woodlands depends on the time of the day. It also depends on where we want to head to in JB. Additionally, it depends on the current status of traffic at both checkpoints.

How to time your crossing to JB

We have been tracking crossing times for many years, and there are definite patterns you can exploit.

Weekdays

• Tuesday to Thursday, 11 AM to 2PM is the sweet spot – this is when you’ll have the smoothest crossing – typically 30-45 minutes total instead of 1-3 hours during peak times.
• Malaysian workers start crossing at 5AM for early shifts. But here’s the thing – most leisure travelers don’t want to wake up that early, so if you’re willing to leave Singapore around 6AM, you’ll actually be going against the main traffic flow.
• If you’re planning to return the same day, aim to head back before 4PM or after 9PM. The evening rush builds from 4PM and peaks around 6-8 PM.

Weekends

Weekends are tough, but not impossible. Here’s what works:

• Leave before 11AM and you’ll beat most of the weekend crowd. Most people are still having their leisurely weekend breakfast while you’re already crossing the border.
• Sunday return traffic is the absolute worst. It starts building around 2PM and doesn’t clear until after 9PM. Your options are either super early return (before 10AM) or very late return (after 10PM).
• During major holidays like Chinese New Year, all bets are off, avoid crossing entirely during these periods unless absolutely necessary.

The step-by-step border crossing playbook

Let us walk you through exactly what happens at each checkpoint so you know what to expect.

Leaving Singapore

1. Lane Selection: Make sure you’re in the right lane for your vehicle type. Cars have specific lanes that are usually well-marked.
2. Singapore Immigration: Hand over your passport with a smile or scan the QR code at the reader
3. The Stamp: Make sure your exit stamp is clear and properly dated. For QR code scans, there are no stamps.
4. Random Checks: Sometimes they’ll check your vehicle. Don’t panic, just cooperate. They’re usually looking for prohibited items or doing routine security checks.

Entering JB

1. VEP Lane: Head to the VEP-designated lanes if you have your RFID tag, these often move faster than general lanes.
2. Malaysian Immigration: Present your passport and be ready to answer questions about your visit. They might ask about your accommodation or how long you’re staying.
3. Automatic Deduction: Your VEP system should automatically deduct the RM20 road charge. You’ll usually hear a beep or see a light indicating successful processing. If you don’t have a VEP yet, use the TNG card.
4. Customs: Malaysian customs may do random vehicle checks. If they select you, stay calm and cooperate.

Is it worth it?

Crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border requires more planning and patience than it used to.

Once you understand the system and develop good habits, it’s still totally doable. The key is approaching it strategically.

So go ahead, plan that JB food adventure or massage trip. Just do it smart, and you’ll wonder why you were worried in the first place.