Driving in the Philippines vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Philippines and the United Kingdom, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that impact their journeys. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations, understanding these variances is crucial for safe travels. Discover the essential driving contrasts that can influence your experience on both countries' highways.
Lanes
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
philippines:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
philippines:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
philippines:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
philippines:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
philippines:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
philippines:
Yes
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
philippines:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 kph | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 kph | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 kph | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 kph | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | kph | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
philippines:
40 kph
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
philippines:
20 kph
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
80 kph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
philippines:
70 kph
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
50 kph
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
philippines:
100 kph
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
philippines:
80 kph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
philippines:
80 kph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
philippines:
kph
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
philippines:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
philippines:
Not commonly used
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Filipino; symbols are standard | English; 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
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
philippines:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
philippines:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
philippines:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Insurance | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Insurance
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
united kingdom:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
philippines:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
philippines:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
philippines:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
philippines:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AAA | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
philippines:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
philippines:
117
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
philippines:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Philippines | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | PHP 300 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | PHP 1000 | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
philippines:
PHP 300
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
philippines:
PHP 1000
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay