Driving in Belgium vs. Philippines: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Belgium and the Philippines, travelers encounter notable contrasts in driving norms and regulations. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is crucial for a safe journey. Discover the essential distinctions that can significantly impact your driving experience in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
belgium:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
belgium:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | 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 | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
belgium:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
belgium:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | 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
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance