Driving in the Philippines vs. South Korea: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between the Philippines and South Korea. From speed limits to lane usage, each country exhibits unique rules that affect motorist behavior and safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure journey abroad, ensuring a smooth experience on the roads.
Lanes
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 kph | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 kph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 kph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 kph | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Less common; fines are usually issued later | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
philippines:
40 kph
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
philippines:
20 kph
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
80 kph
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
philippines:
70 kph
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
50 kph
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
100 kph
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
philippines:
80 kph
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
80 kph
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
philippines:
kph
south korea:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Filipino; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
philippines:
Not used
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Insurance | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Insurance
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
south korea:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
philippines:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
philippines:
911
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
philippines:
117
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Philippines | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | PHP 300 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | PHP 1000 | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
philippines:
PHP 300
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
philippines:
PHP 1000
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay