Most Singapore driving lasts for no more than half an hour. Taking the car to Malaysia and beyond places more stress on the car than usual under local conditions. Conversely, many mechanics will tell you that taking the car out for a long expressway ride is actually good for the car.
If you have driven to Malaysia recently, or if your car is fairly new, checking the Tyres and water should be adequate. But if this is your first trip up or your car isn't the omnipotent road-devouring beast it used to be, tell your mechanic of your travel plans and book the car in for a service.
Taking a Hire Car?
If your car is a hire car you will need to check with the rental company to see if it is approved for travel into Malaysia, as some are not. Many companies however, will exchange your car for one that can be taken into Malaysia. Obviously prior notice is required particularly for long weekends. Nearly all Singaporean hire-car companies will not allow their cars into Thailand. Malaysian hire-car companies operate on similar lines but there is much more likelihood of being allowed to take the car into Thailand. For Singaporeans heading north a popular and cost effective move is to take a bus/cab to JB and pick up a hire car there.
Hiring a car in Thailand is a cheap and pleasent way of seeing the countryside. Do not do this if you are just wanting to explore Bangkok - Bangkok is a nightmare for cars and you would see more and get more done on foot or using cabs and the Skytrain. Outside of Bangkok however it is by far the best way around. All important signs are in English and major routes all carry numbers similar to the US.
Drivers License
Under Asean all these countries recognise each other's licenses. If you don't therefore have a Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian or Laotian drivers license you should have an International Drivers License. With the exception of Laos, none of the countries are insistent on this. Registration documents are not mandatory in Malaysia but will be required when crossing into Thailand.
Any Paper Work?
Asia is not like Europe - you will need paperwork to cross borders. Its not difficult but needs to be planned for before you leave - see the appropriate Border crossing section to find out what is needed.
Distances in Asia are similar to those in America or Australia but if you are not used to these you need to plan breaks and places to stay. Check out distances and times on the next page
If you are just going to Malacca or KL then these probably aren't necessary. But if you are heading into Thailand or the East coast of Malaysia you should take one with you. Conversly if you are coming into Singapore for the first time you should bring a map along too as downtown can get confusing with the ERP and the multitude of one-way streets.
Maps for Thailand and Malaysia are readily available in all the major bookstores in Singapore. Best brands for detail are the Nelles maps though these are starting to get old now. Globetrotter are okay but can be frustratingly vague just when you need clarity.
For local town maps you are best advised to pick up one at your hotel or at the local tourist beaureau. Not much help for the first trip obviously but one hint we always use when entering a new town is to ask the hotel to fax us a map to the hotel from the highway. Often you'll find they have one especially for this purpose. If you are renting a car the agent should have free maps of the town and its environs available.
If you spending time in Bangkok particularly on their Freeways ask for the Freeway guide at Thai bookshops - its bilingual and takes a tongue in cheek approach to describing the exits and on ramps - invaluable if you intend to frequent these freeways a lot as the signage is parochial rather than intuitive.
