Driving in the Philippines vs Romania: Key Differences
Discover the unique road regulations and practices of the Philippines and Romania, ensuring your journey is both enjoyable and secure. From speed limits and lane usage to documentation requirements, this comparison highlights significant distinctions that can impact your travel experience. Stay informed to navigate these diverse driving landscapes safely and confidently.
Lanes
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | Not applicable |
Overtaking: On Right
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
romania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
romania:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 kph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 kph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Less common; fines are usually issued later | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
philippines:
40 kph
romania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
philippines:
20 kph
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
80 kph
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
philippines:
70 kph
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
50 kph
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
100 kph
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
philippines:
80 kph
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
80 kph
romania:
90 km/h
Speed Units
philippines:
kph
romania:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Filipino; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
philippines:
Not used
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Insurance | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
romania:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
philippines:
911
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
philippines:
117
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
philippines:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Philippines | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | PHP 300 | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | PHP 1000 | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
philippines:
PHP 300
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
philippines:
PHP 1000
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
philippines:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist