Driving Differences: Philippines vs. United Arab Emirates
Driving in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. While both countries have designated lanes and speed limits, the UAE enforces stricter alcohol policies and variable speed limits. This comparison highlights essential distinctions to ensure your journey remains safe and enjoyable abroad.
Lanes
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
philippines:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
philippines:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 kph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 kph | 25-40 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 | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 kph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
philippines:
40 kph
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
philippines:
20 kph
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
80 kph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
philippines:
70 kph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
50 kph
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
100 kph
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
philippines:
80 kph
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
80 kph
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
philippines:
kph
united arab emirates:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
philippines:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Filipino; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
philippines:
Not used
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
united arab emirates:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
philippines:
911
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
philippines:
117
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Philippines | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | PHP 300 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | PHP 1000 | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
philippines:
PHP 300
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
philippines:
PHP 1000
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay