Driving in France vs. Philippines: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between France and the Philippines. From lane markings and speed restrictions to alcohol limits and emergency protocols, this comparison unveils essential insights to enhance your travel safety. Understanding these key distinctions will empower you to navigate the roads more confidently, regardless of your destination.
Lanes
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
france:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 50 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 | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 kph |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
france:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
philippines:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
philippines:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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, an MOT style test is required periodically | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
france:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Roundabouts
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
philippines:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 117 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
France | Philippines | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | PHP 300 |
Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | PHP 1000 |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance