Driving in Norway vs. Philippines: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Norway and the Philippines, understanding their unique driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol enforcement. While Norway emphasizes strict adherence to traffic laws, the Philippines offers more leniency in certain areas. Educating yourself on these variances can ensure a smoother travel experience.
Lanes
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | 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
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 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 | 90-110 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
norway:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
norway:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
norway:
Not allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | 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, periodic inspection required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
norway:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Norway | 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
norway:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance