Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Philippines Explained
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations and driving customs in Afghanistan and the Philippines. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, this comparison highlights significant variations that can affect your travel experience. Stay informed and prioritize safety while navigating the distinct driving landscapes of these two countries.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
afghanistan:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
afghanistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance