Driving in Guatemala vs. Philippines: Key Differences
Comparing the road regulations in Guatemala and the Philippines reveals intriguing contrasts in traffic norms and safety practices. While overtaking is permitted in Guatemala on multi-lane roads, the Philippines enforces stricter rules. Additionally, urban speed limits differ significantly, affecting overall travel dynamics. Dive into this guide for essential insights on driving securely in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
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
guatemala:
No
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 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 | 100 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
guatemala:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
philippines:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Guatemala | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Guatemala | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Guatemala | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
guatemala:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 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
guatemala:
122
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance