Guide to Driving In Philippines - Drive Safe in Philippines

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Philippines and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

30 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 50mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Philippines on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Philippines is PHP
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Philippines 1.15 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Philippines

Driving in Philippines
Pocket guide to driving in Philippines
Profile:
Philippines
Manila
PHP
Driving in Philippines
SPEED: (kph)
30
50
100
Speed limit in Philippines
Holiday:
Rush hour in Philippines
Cameras:
NO
YES
Speed cameras in Philippines
FUEL:
1.15
1.03
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Philippines
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Philippines
DRINK:
50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Philippines
EMERGENCY:
117
Emergency phone number in Philippines
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Philippines
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Philippines
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Philippines
See here for current child seats law in Philippines

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Philippines?

The Philippines consists of thousands of islands, many of them uninhabited. All are beautiful and offer a wide range of different attractions. Driving offers a variety of challenges on the different islands; from the chaotic, congested centre of Manila to the dirt tracks of the jungle of the outlying islands. Decide the kind of holiday you want before booking your hire car as you may need to consider a 4x4 vehicle.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.03

€ 1.15

Jan , 2024

€ 0.97

€ 1.06

Dec , 2023

€ 0.99

€ 1.08

Nov , 2023

€ 0.98

€ 1.07

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
There are many restrictions in place for parking in the Philippines. You must not park on or on the approach to a bridge, near schools or hospitals, near a government building or on a dual carriageway. You must also avoid parking on the pavement.
 
Paid parking
 
There is plenty of paid parking available in towns and cities, often in open lots but sometimes in parking garages. The costs are reasonable compared to western prices and you have greater security. The next best place to park is in the metered bays alongside the roads where the time is limited but where the parking is patrolled.
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is done by the police. The scale of enforcement varies across the Philippines but don’t try to take advantage – the fines are quite steep for infringement.
 
Disabled parking
 
There are limited concessions for disabled drivers which include the provision of a handful of spaces at the more modern car parks and in parking bays. There is no concession on price however. 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

The emergency number in Philippines is the 117 for all the emergency services.

What to do in an emergency

Use the emergency number provided by your car hire company if you encounter a mechanical problem with your car. If driving a private vehicle, you’ll need to make sure you take the number of an emergency assistance company with you.
 
If you’re involved in an accident you don’t need to call the police if there is only minor damage and no injuries. If you do need to call the police, make sure you get a copy of their report for your insurers or the car hire company. Taking photographs of the scene and collecting the details of witnesses is useful.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

I have broken down -  Na siraan ako
Where is the police station? - Saan ang istasyon ng pulis?
I have a flat tyre - Na flat yung gulong ko
I have been in an accident - Na aksidente ako
Where is? -  Saan ang/Yung/Na?
Where can I buy petrol? - Saan ako makakabili ng gasolina?

Philippines Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.03

€ 1.15

Jan , 2024

€ 0.97

€ 1.06

Dec , 2023

€ 0.99

€ 1.08

Nov , 2023

€ 0.98

€ 1.07

Oct , 2023

€ 1.16

€ 1.30

Sep , 2023

€ 1.09

€ 1.24

Aug , 2023

€ 0.98

€ 1.15

Jul , 2023

€ 0.90

€ 0.98

Jun , 2023

€ 0.89

€ 0.99

May , 2023

€ 0.89

€ 1.05

Apr , 2023

€ 0.95

€ 1.04

Mar , 2023

€ 1.06

€ 1.07

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.03 1.15
Jan , 2024 0.97 1.06
Dec , 2023 0.99 1.08
Nov , 2023 0.98 1.07
Oct , 2023 1.16 1.30
Sep , 2023 1.09 1.24
Aug , 2023 0.98 1.15
Jul , 2023 0.90 0.98
Jun , 2023 0.89 0.99
May , 2023 0.89 1.05
Apr , 2023 0.95 1.04
Mar , 2023 1.06 1.07

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Philippines and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

Visitor Comments

  • 29/10/2018

    J R

    Great read but just a few corrections on your General Phrases; I have broken down - NA SIRAAN AKO Where is the police station? - Saan ang istasyon ng pulis? I have a flat tyre - NA FLAT YUNG GULONG KO I have been in an accident - NA AKSIDENTE AKO Where is? - SAAN ANG?/YUNG?/ BA? Where can I buy petrol? - Saan ako makakabili ng gasolina?
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