PhilippinesPhilippines

Drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Normally overtake on the left. Passing on the right is allowed in certain situations, such as when the vehicle ahead is making or about to make a left turn and it can be done safely.

Call 911 for the nationwide Unified 911 Emergency Hotline, which connects callers with police, fire, medical and rescue services.

For drivers of private motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 4500 kg, a BAC of 0.05% or higher is conclusive proof of driving under the influence. For drivers of trucks, buses, motorcycles and public utility vehicles, more than 0.0% BAC is conclusive proof.

The statutory limits depend on the road and vehicle. For passenger cars and motorcycles, the maximum is generally 80 km/h on qualifying open-country roads, 40 km/h on designated through streets or boulevards, 30 km/h on city or municipal streets with light traffic and 20 km/h in crowded or particularly hazardous situations. Trucks and buses have lower limits on some road classes.

On an open-country road without blind corners and not closely bordered by habitation, the statutory maximum is 80 km/h for passenger cars and motorcycles and 50 km/h for trucks and buses.

On city and municipal streets with light traffic that are not designated through streets, the statutory maximum is generally 30 km/h. In crowded streets, near blind intersections, school zones and similar hazardous situations, the limit is 20 km/h.

Expressways have posted speed limits and other operating rules that must be followed. These can differ between tollways, so do not assume that the general open-country limit applies; follow the signs on the particular expressway.

No nationwide vignette is used. Instead, motorists pay tolls when using particular toll expressways.

Philippine toll expressways use cashless/contactless electronic toll collection. RFID systems such as Autosweep and Easytrip are used on different groups of expressways, so drivers should check which system applies to their route.

Motorcycles permitted on toll expressways are generally those with an engine displacement of 400 cc or above. Expressway rules and vehicle classifications must still be followed.

Yes. Drivers and required passengers must wear seat belts. The exact coverage depends partly on the vehicle type; in ordinary private cars and SUVs, seat-belt requirements also extend to rear-seat passengers.

Yes. A child in a covered vehicle must normally be secured in an appropriate child restraint system unless the child is at least 150 cm (59 inches) tall and can be properly secured using the regular seat belt.

A child aged 12 or younger generally may not sit in the front seat unless the child is at least 150 cm tall and is properly secured with the regular seat belt.

Yes. Both the motorcycle driver and back rider must wear a standard protective motorcycle helmet.

A motorcycle or scooter may normally carry one back rider, who must have an appropriate seat and footrest.

Special rules apply. On roads covered by the Children's Safety on Motorcycles Act, a child passenger must be able to reach the standard foot pegs, hold onto the rider's waist and wear a standard protective helmet, subject to the law's exceptions.

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act prohibits motorists from using handheld mobile communication or electronic entertainment devices while driving, including when temporarily stopped at a red traffic light. Proper hands-free use is permitted when it does not interfere with the driver's line of sight.

There is no general daytime-headlight requirement for every car, but motorcycle riders must switch on their headlight while operating on a highway, including during the daytime.

When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. Vehicles already within the intersection generally have priority over vehicles that have not yet entered.

A driver entering a roundabout or rotunda must yield to vehicles already circulating inside it. Signal and check for other traffic before exiting.

Within business or residential districts, drivers must yield to pedestrians using a crosswalk, except where movement is being controlled by a traffic officer or traffic signal.

Give way to police vehicles, fire vehicles and ambulances operating on official business and giving an audible warning. Drivers should move as near as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed, unless directed otherwise.

National law prohibits parking in several locations, including intersections, on crosswalks, in front of private driveways and within four metres of a fire hydrant. Also obey local parking signs and restrictions.

Except for motorcycles and tricycles, motorists must carry a pair of Early Warning Devices (EWDs). These reflectorized warning triangles are used when a vehicle becomes stalled or disabled.

Yes. A bona fide tourist with a valid foreign driving licence may generally drive for up to 90 days after arrival. Longer stays normally require conversion to or acquisition of a Philippine driving licence.

Road signs follow national DPWH standards and rely heavily on internationally recognizable symbols and English wording. Filipino wording can also appear on some local or supplementary signs.

The Philippines is frequently affected by tropical cyclones and monsoon rainfall. Heavy rain can cause flooding, landslides, poor visibility and road closures, so motorists should follow PAGASA and local government warnings and avoid entering flooded roads.

LTO motorcycle rules state that lane splitting is prohibited; motorcycles should occupy a normal traffic lane rather than travel between lanes of vehicles.