First Day Abroad

Driving in Philippines: licence, roads and tolls

Part of the Philippines arrival guide.

This information may change. Always check the official source.Last verified: August 2026 by

Driving in Philippines: the three basics

Drives on the
right

The driver sits on the left and overtakes on the left. Roundabouts turn anticlockwise.

Your licence
Licence plus an IDP

Your own licence works with an International Driving Permit beside it. Get the permit at home before you fly - no country issues one for another country's licence.

Motorways
Tolls by distance

Motorways charge for the distance driven, at barriers or by camera. Budget for it on a long drive; it is rarely trivial.

Philippine expressways charge through RFID, Manila runs a licence-plate coding scheme, and typhoon season closes roads without notice.

RFID tolling on the expressways, a number-plate rationing scheme in Manila, and roads that flood.

  • Manila's number coding scheme bans cars from the roads on one weekday according to the last digit of the plate. It applies to hire cars, and the hours vary by city within Metro Manila.
  • Expressway tolls are collected by RFID sticker; hire cars have one and the balance is settled at the end.
  • The alcohol limit is 0.05 % under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act.
  • Traffic drives on the right, unusually for the region, and jeepneys stop anywhere without warning.
  • Flooding closes roads for hours in the rainy season, and a low car in Manila after a heavy afternoon is a recovery job.
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Sources (1)

What this guide was checked against. Rules and prices change — follow the official link before you rely on a detail.