Driving in the Philippines vs. Slovakia: Key Differences
Explore the vital contrasts in road regulations and safety practices between the Philippines and Slovakia. From speed limits and lane usage to documentation requirements and alcohol restrictions, understanding these distinctions can enhance your driving experience abroad. Stay informed and drive safely as you navigate the diverse landscapes of these two nations.
Lanes
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Usage | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
slovakia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
philippines:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 kph | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 90 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Less common; fines are usually issued later | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
philippines:
40 kph
slovakia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
philippines:
20 kph
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
80 kph
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
philippines:
70 kph
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
50 kph
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
100 kph
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
philippines:
80 kph
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
80 kph
slovakia:
90 km/h
Speed Units
philippines:
kph
slovakia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
philippines:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Filipino; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
philippines:
Not used
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 along with local license |
| Insurance | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Insurance
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
slovakia:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
philippines:
911
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
philippines:
117
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Philippines | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | PHP 300 | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | PHP 1000 | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
philippines:
PHP 300
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
philippines:
PHP 1000
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay