Driving Regulations in the Philippines

Driving Regulations

• When a driver has a student permit issued on November 25, 2020, they can apply for a non-professional driver's license after December 25, 2020.
• When approaching an intersection, drivers should approach such intersection in the lane for traffic nearest to the right-hand side of the highway.
• When an emergency vehicle approaches with red lights and siren, drivers must yield the right-of-way and wait for the vehicle to pass.
• In a T-intersection, the driver on the through street has the right of way. However, the text does not provide enough context to establish which driver, Mr. McQueen or Mr. Mater, is on the through street.### Driving in the Philippines - Regulations
• Driving in the Philippines is a privilege, not a right.
• Vehicles are assigned a plate number upon registration.
• Plate numbers are identified with:
  • Letter and numeral prefixes
  • Color based on date and place of registration
  • Vehicle's purpose
• The weight of a motor vehicle plus its maximum allowable carrying capacity is considered its "gross weight" .
• The maximum allowable speed for passenger cars and motorcycles in open country roads is not specified.
• The maximum allowable speed of trucks in crowded streets is 20 kph.
• Trucks may be attached with cargo devices, but the total net weight of the devices and cargo must not exceed the maximum allowable weight.
• The classification of plate numbers with black characters on a white background is not specified.
• The validity period of a driver's license before Republic Act no. 10930 is not specified.
• The new mandatory requirement for renewing a professional or non-professional driver's license in the Philippines is not specified.
• People who drive a motor vehicle for a living are considered professional drivers.

Vehicle Classification & Specific License Plates

• Protocol plate number 5 is designated for government officials.
• MC license plates (green characters on a white background) are designed for motorcycles.
• Protocol plate number 11 is designated for government officials.
• Public utility vehicles are differentiated by their white colored plate background.

Pavement Markings and Signaling

• Directional arrows indicate allowable directions of travel.
• If an arrow points forward only, turning from that lane is prohibited.
• Pavement lines indicate where to stop at a stoplight or stop sign.

Driver's License Information

• A driver's license is issued to a qualified person who possesses the statutory qualification in driving
• Republic Act no. 10930 extended the validity period of driver's licenses to five years.
• Enlisted personnel of the AFP operating government motor vehicles are issued special licenses.
• The actual legal owner of a motor vehicle is the person whose name is registered in the Land Transportation Commission.

Important Terms

• The principle of "Right of Way" refers to the legal or customary precedence (priority) allowing one vehicle to pass in front of another.
• A "motor vehicle" is any vehicle that is self-propelled.
• A "manufacturer" is any person, association, partnership, or corporation involved in making, manufacturing, constructing, assembling, remodeling, rebuilding, or setting up motor vehicles, or acting as an agent for the sale of motor vehicles.

Special Plate Numbers

• These are assigned to high-ranking government officials.
• They indicate courtesy.

Vehicle Types

• A motor vehicle registered for nine passengers is considered a "van".

Test your knowledge on driving regulations in the Philippines. This quiz covers essential rules regarding permits, intersection priorities, and emergency vehicle protocols. Ensure you're familiar with local laws to drive safely and responsibly.