Driving Differences: Albania vs. Philippines Explained
When navigating the roads of Albania and the Philippines, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experiences. Key contrasts include lane usage and speed limits, with Albania allowing overtaking on multi-lane roads while the Philippines restricts it. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
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
albania:
No
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 paid at the scene. | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
albania:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; 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 | Mandatory; proof required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
albania:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
philippines:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance