Driving in Iceland vs. Philippines: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Iceland and the Philippines presents distinct challenges and regulations that can significantly impact safety on the roads. While overtaking rules and speed limits differ notably, the approach to signage and road etiquette varies as well. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Iceland | 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
philippines:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
iceland:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | 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 on gravel roads | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
iceland:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Iceland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
philippines:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
philippines:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
philippines:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
philippines:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Iceland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Iceland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; 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 inspection required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
iceland:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Iceland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
philippines:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
philippines:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
philippines:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance