Driving in the Philippines vs. Tunisia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Philippines and Tunisia, understanding the variations in traffic regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Notable distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels, which can greatly impact your driving experience. Stay informed and navigate the roads confidently in these two diverse countries.
Lanes
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
tunisia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 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
tunisia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
philippines:
20 kph
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
80 kph
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
philippines:
70 kph
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
50 kph
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
100 kph
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
philippines:
80 kph
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
80 kph
tunisia:
80 km/h
Speed Units
philippines:
kph
tunisia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Filipino; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
philippines:
Not used
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
tunisia:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
philippines:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
philippines:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
philippines:
911
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
philippines:
117
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
philippines:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Philippines | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | PHP 300 | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | PHP 1000 | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
philippines:
PHP 300
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
philippines:
PHP 1000
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay