{"id":6671,"date":"2018-07-19T09:37:04","date_gmt":"2018-07-19T01:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/?p=6671"},"modified":"2021-07-15T18:08:07","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T10:08:07","slug":"expats-guide-to-driving-laws-in-the-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/2018\/07\/19\/expats-guide-to-driving-laws-in-the-philippines\/","title":{"rendered":"Expats\u2019 Guide to Driving Laws in the Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Philippines is famous for many things: sweet mangoes, white sand beaches, hospitable people, and dreadful traffic jams.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6678\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/EDSA-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/EDSA.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/EDSA-290x218.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/EDSA-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/EDSA-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>\/IMAGE Richard Reyes via inquirer.net<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Traffic is everywhere in the country and is felt in just about every city and road possible. For this reason, many prefer to hail cabs or book a car service. However, anyone who\u2019s ever been behind the wheel can\u2019t deny the liberating feeling that driving provides. If you\u2019ve just landed in the Philippines and thinking of driving during your stay, here are some laws to keep in mind.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em>Also read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/2016\/09\/17\/expats-guide-to-fines-and-fees-for-common-traffic-violations-in-the-philippines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Expats&#8217; Guide: Fines and Fees for Common Traffic Violations in the Philippines<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li>You\u2019ll need\u00a0<strong>a license to drive<\/strong>\u00a0especially if you\u2019ll be renting a car from a rental company. Applying for a license isn\u2019t complicated and it\u2019s pretty easy if you already have a license from your country of origin.There\u00a0is a catch though: if your license is still valid, you can only use it 90 days after you arrive here. If three\u00a0months is too long a wait, you can have it converted to a local license. There will be no exams if your foreign license is still valid, otherwise, through the examination\u00a0room\u00a0you go.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em>Also read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/2014\/06\/02\/drivers-license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Driver&#8217;s License Application\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6673\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-drivers-license-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-drivers-license.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-drivers-license-290x218.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-drivers-license-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-drivers-license-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>IMAGE wheelsph.com<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify\">\u00a0As with any country, the\u00a0<strong>Philippines prohibits anyone from driving under the influence.<\/strong>\u00a0You\u2019re not allowed behind the wheel if you\u2019re high or inebriated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em>Also read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/2016\/12\/25\/drunk-sleepy-or-sick-while-driving-dial-16-911-for-drivers-on-call\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drunk, Sleepy, or Sick While Driving? Dial 16-911 for &#8216;Drivers on Call&#8217;<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li>In an effort to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, the MMDA implemented a number coding scheme. The last number on the license plate dictates the day it can\u2019t be on the street.<br \/>\n<strong>Monday:<\/strong>\u00a01 and 2;<br \/>\n<strong>Tuesday:<\/strong>\u00a03 and 4;<br \/>\n<strong>Wednesday:<\/strong>\u00a05 and 6;<br \/>\n<strong>Thursday:<\/strong>\u00a07 and 8;<br \/>\n<strong>Friday:<\/strong>\u00a09 and 0.If you\u2019re traveling from one city to other, it may be\u00a0confusing as to which cities implement a number coding scheme, which doesn\u2019t, and which ones have window hours. To get a better grasp of this rule, better check the MMDA website and their official Facebook page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em>Also\u00a0<\/em>read:<em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/2016\/09\/23\/expats-guide-to-mmdas-10-things-that-drivers-should-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MMDA&#8217;s 10 Things That Driver&#8217;s Should Know<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6674\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-license-plate-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-license-plate.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-license-plate-290x218.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-license-plate-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2018\/07\/lto-license-plate-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">IMAGE grabbed from ltoexamreviewer.com<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Philippines requires everyone to\u00a0<strong>drive on the right side of the road<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>all vehicles must be left-hand drive<\/strong>. Unlike in most countries where both left and right-hand cars are allowed so long as the drivers follow which road they should drive on,\u00a0<strong><strong><strong>right-hand drive vehicles are not allowed to operate here.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Since last year, using your mobile devices while driving is now a big no-no. If you\u2019re using a map or Waze to get around, go hands-free.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Also\u00a0<\/em>read:<em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/2017\/05\/15\/safer-roads-ahead-mobile-phones-can-no-longer-be-used-while-driving\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Safer Roads Ahead: Mobile Phones Can No Longer Be &#8220;Used&#8221; While Driving in PH<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Careful where you park. There\u2019s been a crackdown on illegally parked vehicles in recent years. Don\u2019t even try parking where a tow-away sign is up unless you want to cause a commotion or get your car impounded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-31346\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2018\/07\/tow-away-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re considering driving a motorcycle instead of a four-wheeled vehicle, know that they\u2019re subject to the same laws and regulations plus a couple of others.<\/p>\n<p><em>Also read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/2017\/04\/22\/expats-guide-motorcycle-laws-in-the-philippines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Expats&#8217; Guide to Motorcycle Laws in the Philippines<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Back riders or passengers are limited to one per bike. That means that there should only be a total of 2 people on a motorcycle.<\/li>\n<li>Both driver and passenger are required to wear DTI-approved helmets. You\u2019ll know which ones are approved because they\u2019ll have ICC stickers on them.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-31348\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2018\/07\/ICC-sticker-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify\">Remember to always wear shoes when riding a motorcycle. They\u2019re the only approved footwear for motorcycle riders.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify\">Lane splitting or lane filtering is allowed in some countries but not in the Philippines. Avoid going between two vehicles and wait until you can overtake properly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Motorcycle Lane Filtering in New South Wales\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kWh0t1fX_EY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">There are a plethora of other driving rules and regulations in the Philippines. For more detailed information, you can visit the websites of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lto.gov.ph\/#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LTO<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mmda.gov.ph\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MMDA<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>Sources:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mmda.gov.ph\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MMDA Official website<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lto.gov.ph\/frequently-asked-questions\/license-permit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LTO,<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.topgear.com.ph\/features\/columns\/wheels-of-justice\/right-hand-drive-cars-ph-a50-20170325\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TopGear Philippines<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thinking of driving in the Philippines? Always keep these rules in mind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1729,1727],"tags":[1115,1116],"class_list":["post-6671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-everyday-life-hacks","category-legal-procedure","tag-driving-in-the-philippines","tag-driving-rules-and-regulations"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6671"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9573,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6671\/revisions\/9573"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}