5 essential driving apps for the P-plate driver

Driving apps are a godsend, especially for Probation-plate (P-plate) drivers who are unfamiliar with Singaporean roads.

Congratulations! You have passed your TP driving test and finally earned your driving licence. Although Singapore is a relatively small city-state, driving to an unfamiliar local location could be a daunting task for new drivers. Thankfully, there are several apps in the market which can make their drive life simpler.

In the past, it was more challenging to navigate the streets of Singapore, because people had to use physical road directories or, later on, dedicated GPS devices to find their way.  

In the present day, we have digital applications (apps) that can show you the best/fastest routes to your destination with just a couple of finger-taps on your smartphone or the dashboard infotainment touchscreen it is connected to.

We hope this guide helps the P-plate driver as he/she gets to know the roads of Singapore. Do remember to drive safely and always be observant of your surroundings - be guided rather than distracted by these helpful driving apps. 

The Motorist App

By installing the Motorist App, you’ll be able to access a variety of useful features while you are on the road. 

The Motorist App also features Co-Driver, which is designed to make driving safer and easier. Its integrated co-driving functions include real-time audio alerts to notify the driver when approaching traffic cameras (including red-light cameras at junctions) and police cameras (including speed cameras). The vigilant digital Co-Driver also notifies the driver about nearby bus lanes in operation, traffic accidents, tarmac hazards, flood situations, and roadworks.  

The Motorist App is also approved by LTA (Land Transport Authority) as a handy alternative display for the ERP 2.0 OBU (on-board unit), superseding the clunky OBU touchscreen. The Bluetooth-enabled ERP 2.0 function allows registered Motorist App users to efficiently manage their car's Electronic Road Pricing payments and pertinent ERP information. 

The Motorist App is compatible with Android Auto and will also support Apple CarPlay by the end of 2025. 

Google Maps

The first app that comes to mind for most people when they need directions would be Google Maps.

It is a multi-purpose navigation tool, providing directions based on various modes of transportation - driving, cycling, walking, and taking public transport such as buses and trains. 

Most importantly for drivers, its driving guidance is still one of the best in the business, covering everything a motorist might need while motoring, such as recommended routes, points of interest and speed limits. 

The comprehensive Google database of roadways, landmarks, local businesses and natural features/terrain ensures that you'll probably be able to get accurate directions to any location pin-dropped on the screen map.  

The Google Maps interface is intuitive, especially with voice navigation activated, but some of the icons might be too small for users with imperfect eyesight and the map details might be too much for people who prefer basic topography.

Waze

Google-owned Waze is more driver-oriented than Google Maps, thanks to personalisation features which tailor your driving/Wazing experience between point A and point B.

Experienced drivers tend to trust Waze, and most private-hire drivers rely on it while working.

Waze is able to provide real-time updates because of its community-driven formula, with crowdsourced traffic updates from users, for fellow users. Everyone on the platform is kept informed about road-related happenings en route, such as accidents, police presence, and hazards. This information gives greater peace of mind while motoring from one place to another.

Missed a turn? Waze can recalculate the route on the fly and redirect you accordingly. This is most useful if you're driving in an unfamiliar area. Waze also provides voice navigation, but goes one up on Google Maps with the fun extra option of customising the voice guidance, perhaps with the sound of your own voice or that of a loved one. 

However, Waze does not have an offline mode, unlike Google Maps, and therefore it requires an internet connection. 

Simply put, Waze is an excellent navigation app to guide you to wherever, to meet whoever for whatever.

Parking.sg

Gone are the days of paper parking coupons, which have been made obsolete by this Singapore GovTech application.

Parking.sg is a must-have app for motorists, unless they never use streetside parking or are still using up their leftover parking coupons from the inconvenient old days. 

It lets you pay conveniently for parking with your credit/debit card. Just enter your vehicle number (or select it from the saved list of vehicles within the app), confirm the carpark (which the system detects based on the smartphone's known location), and set the duration (in 30-minute blocks for up to 24 hours per parking session). 

Charges are calculated automatically, with the app tracking your parking session and notifying you when it is about to expire. Extending the parking session is easily done through the app, wherever you are. Any unused parking minutes/fees are refunded to your credit card. According to the app developer, over 40 percent of Parking.sg users received refunds for their parking sessions which were ended before the time was up.  

AXS Drive

This app is the road-going version of AXS, a homegrown payment platform (website, m-Station app, kiosks) that serves over one million consumers every month in Singapore with its extensive range of over 800 bill-payment services linked to a plethora of private businesses, government agencies, and other organisations.  

AXS Drive aims to assist the driver by finding carparks in the vicinity, indicating their number of lots available and facilitating the online payment of fees at participating carparks, which currently number more than 100 across the island (about 12 percent of all commercial carparks in the country). 

The app lets drivers exit a "compatible" carpark first and then pay later - no Cashcard required. Complimentary parking coupons are also replaced by in-app scanning of QR codes at carparks under the AXS Drive programme.

AXS Drive also provides shortcuts to OneMotoring's checkpoint camera feeds at Woodlands and Tuas, along with approximate border-crossing times to Johor Bahru. The app also leverages a third-party EV charging network for added functionality. 

By the way, the Motorist App uses AXS-powered payment services for safe, fast and seamless digital payment of road tax, traffic offence summonses, season parking, and e-Day Licences (for off-peak cars).  

Read More: New drivers driving alone: 6 emergency situations you must know how to handle

Download the Motorist App now. Designed by drivers for drivers, this all-in-one app lets you receive the latest traffic updates, gives you access to live traffic cameras, and helps you manage LTA and vehicle matters.

Did you know we have a Motorist Telegram Channel? Created exclusively for drivers and car owners in Singapore, you can get instant info about our latest promotions, articles, tips & hacks, or simply chat with the Motorist Team and fellow drivers.