Sashidaran Gunathevan
Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said heavy departure traffic hit Woodlands Checkpoint on 11 and 12 November. Delays built along the Causeway towards Johor Bahru on both days. ICA blamed a tailback from Malaysia.
Specifically, ICA posted its first advisory at 10.49am on Wednesday. It issued another at about 9.51am on Thursday. Both warned of delays and urged travellers to check conditions first.
Importantly, the queues came before the busiest days of the month. Our forecast report rates 20 and 21 November as the worst days towards JB. Here is what happened, why it matters and how to plan.
How the Woodlands Checkpoint queue built over two days
On Wednesday, ICA said the traffic eased at around noon. That was about an hour after its advisory. It was a short jam. However, Thursday was different.
On Thursday, traffic eased at about 3.30pm, AsiaOne reported. That was more than five hours after ICA’s advisory. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s queue filled two-thirds of the Causeway.
By 1.30pm on Thursday, traffic cameras showed traffic crawling along the Causeway and onto Woodlands Crossing. However, the Bukit Timah Expressway stayed smooth. The jam sat at the border. The expressway approach stayed clear.
Overall, ICA did not say what caused the tailback in Malaysia. Furthermore, it gave no crossing figures for either day. Moreover, it did not say if extra lanes opened.
Why this Woodlands Checkpoint queue is a warning for 20 and 21 November
A community forecast in our earlier report rated both days low. The tool is unofficial. It does not define its ratings. Its call was therefore wrong for both days.
In addition, the same forecast rates Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November high towards JB, as Singapore’s school holidays start. It also rates Sunday 22 November high towards Singapore. Notably, those are the days to avoid if you can.
Read more: Causeway jam likely worst on Fri 20 and Sat 21 Nov
Read more: Singapore border changes on 1 Jan 2027 hit drivers and taxis
Read more: More JB-Singapore cross-border taxis from 16 November
However, ICA has handled bigger crowds. From 4 to 14 September, more than 6.1 million people crossed Woodlands and Tuas, per ICA figures in our report. Car drivers then waited up to three hours.
In fact, Wednesday and Thursday fell after the Deepavali weekend, on ordinary weekdays. As a result, they show how quickly the Causeway can back up. Likewise, a short delay can grow fast. Plan for a slow crossing.
How to cross Woodlands Checkpoint with fewer delays
ICA asks travellers to check its social media and the OneMotoring website before leaving for Woodlands Checkpoint. Crossing early in the morning or late in the evening also helps. Allow extra time either way. In addition, motorists should follow ICA officers and traffic marshals.
Meanwhile, queue-cutting carries a cost. ICA’s September enforcement drive caught 27 motorists at Woodlands from 4 to 13 September, mostly on departure. Offences included crossing double white lines, illegal right turns and queue-cutting. Eight drivers of foreign-registered vehicles were banned from entering Singapore.
Moreover, foreign-registered cars need a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) before the Singapore Arrival Card can be filed. Unpaid Singapore fines now block VEP applications. The VEP fee rises to S$50 a day on 1 January 2027.
In short, ICA reported heavy tailbacks at Woodlands Checkpoint on 11 and 12 November, easing at about noon and 3.30pm. Check live traffic before you leave. The next expected peak is Friday 20 November.
Sidhaarthan
C. Khor
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