Must-Have Car Driving Apps in 2022 | Singapore Drivers

6 Must-Have Apps for Singapore Drivers in 2022

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Driving in Singapore can sometimes get frustrating and tiring, especially when you’re stuck behind the wheel during rush hour or when you’re looking for parking from block to block. On top of that, there are other things to consider like checking for the best routes around town, pumping petrol and not forgetting, car maintenance. We know it can get quite daunting, especially if you’re a novice driver.

Don’t stress! Now you can have access to helpful driving information right at your fingertips to make driving so much more convenient. There are a multitude of useful car apps that you can use to keep you informed of traffic conditions and other factors that can affect your commute. 

We discussed a few before, but here are some of the latest apps – for iOS & Android – that you may want to install on your smartphone as well.
 

App #1: TomTom for navigation

Navigation apps are by far the most used driving apps for obvious reasons like finding your way, and deciding on the best route to take to your destination. And yes, there are free navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze (as we’ve recommended before) that do the job, so why get a paid one like TomTom? Well, for one simple but very important reason – offline navigation. 

Although Waze is a great navigation app when driving within Singapore, with TomTom you can save maps in your phone, allowing you to easily find your way even when your mobile data is turned off or when you do not have access to it. This will come in handy especially when you drive up North, as it’ll save you the hassle of losing your way on unfamiliar roads and on data roaming fees.

Of course, driving to Malaysia or Thailand may not be allowed at this point of time because of border restrictions due to the pandemic, but it’s not like we’ll never get to travel ever again. In fact, you’ll probably want to take a short break once a travel bubble is announced and it’ll definitely be a better option to take a quick drive with the family, in the comfort and safety of your own car.

Get more equipped, with good car and travel insurance when the time comes, to ensure you and your family are fully protected on your road trip. DirectAsia’s car insurance policy covers your car when it is in Singapore, West Malaysia, or Southern Thailand. But, keep in mind that not all incidents are covered when you drive beyond Singapore. Good thing is, third-party bodily injury, third-party property damage, and any optional benefits you have on your plan are covered in West Malaysia and Southern Thailand.
 

App #2: Park&Go@ SG for parking your car

The next big woe for most Singapore drivers is undoubtedly parking. Parking.sg was one such app we mentioned, to make it easy to park at public car parks (without gantries), by paying electronically through the app. Here’s another alternative!

This free parking app not only allows you to easily search for parking spots in real-time, it also lets you know if there is parking lot availability when you arrive at your destination. Besides that, Park&Go @SG also offers other services like car washing and real-time traffic condition reports. Perhaps you can get your car washed while waiting for the traffic to ease?
 

App #3: SG Traffic Cam for real-time traffic information

Besides MyTransport SG, SG Traffic Cam is another app launched by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore. This car app transmits live footage of the traffic conditions on major expressways, highways and the causeway in Singapore almost in real-time! 

You’ll be able to see the road conditions directly from the traffic cameras available across all major roads to help you make better decisions when driving. By seeing how light or heavy the traffic is at any given time, you’ll be able to plan your drive and route better too.

This car app is also useful for gauging traffic conditions heading in and out of the Causeway and Second Link. Another useful tool to have when you eventually go on your road trip. 
 

App #4: Parking@HDB for added convenience

An additional car app that will boost your convenience as a car owner, is the Singapore Government’s very own app that offers a full suite of features for everything related to the Housing Development Board (HDB) and their relevant transactions that involve parking your vehicle.

With this car app, you’ll be able to enjoy hassle-free parking features such as barrier-free car park entry and exit, auto-start/stop of your parking session and easy payment with credit or debit cards via the app.

What’s more, you will receive in-app notifications in real-time if you accidentally park at an unauthorised lot to help you avoid a parking fine. It’s also worth noting that all motorists who download and use the Parking@HDB app will enjoy free parking for their first three parking sessions at Punggol Northshore. And of course, HDB plans to implement this Smart Parking system to other car parks around the island.
 

App #5: AutoApp for car maintenance and repair

So, we’ve covered some of the latest car apps available to help you while on the road, but what about other important things to consider as a car owner, such as car servicing? Look no further! AutoApp is a car app developed by Singaporean start-up Ignition Labs, to make car servicing easy for Singaporean car owners.

It works like a car concierge service, where the company’s Service Ambassadors pick up your car, drive it to the workshop for its servicing, and drive it back to you when it’s done. Through this car app, you can choose to book a pick-up and drop-off service at your own preferred car workshop – if your car insurance policy includes this as an optional benefit – or book a servicing session at a workshop in the AutoApp network. However, it’s worth noting that DirectAsia’s partner workshops offer a Lifetime Repair Guarantee together with your car insurance policy. 

As an added advantage, if you require a car when your car is being serviced, AutoApp collaborates with car rental companies, and can send a rental car to you, upon request.
 

App #6: Shell Motorist for refuelling your car

Finally, here’s a car app that can help you locate the nearest Shell Station when your car is running low on fuel. It also provides you with a faster and easier way to pay for your fuel with the built-in ‘Fill-up and Go’ mobile payment service. 

Of course, you’ll have the added bonus of receiving special offers and collecting rewards points as a member of the Shell Driver’s Club. If you are already a member, you can use this car app to check your Shell loyalty card points balance and transactions.

DirectAsia currently has a promotion where you can get up to S$100 worth of Shell fuel, depending on your cover type, plus free 24 Hour Breakdown Assistance when you sign up for a car or motorcycle insurance policy. Existing DirectAsia customers also get to enjoy some discounts, depending on the policy type as well.  On top of that, you can also earn extra Shell Escape points, when you service your vehicle at Shell Autoserv or head to the Shell Car Wash.

We hope you’ll find these recommended car apps useful to ease your driving and car maintenance grievances from now on. Keep them handy and organised on your mobile phone and ensure you use a car phone holder for easy access while driving without compromising your safety! 

Do you use any other car apps daily? We’d love to hear from you if you think there are others worth mentioning. Leave us a comment below!