The Philippines has a lot to offer to tourists from wonderful beaches to the scenery, and nightlife. There is always the need to figure out an easy way to travel around other than depending on taxis. A lot of travelers have a fantasy of traveling around on a moped or scooter. So, can a foreigner drive a scooter in the Philippines?
Yes, foreigners can drive a scooter in the Philippines for up to 90 days. To drive in the Philippines you need to have an international driving license or a valid driver’s license issued from your home country and must be in English. If driving a scooter in the Philippines you be careful when driving and always wear a good quality helmet.
In this post, we will go through whether a foreigner can drive a scooter in the Philippines. Let’s get started!
Learn More On The Philippines
- Reasons Not To Visit The Philippines
- What Kind Of Adapter Do I Need For The Philippines?
- Do The Philippines Speak Spanish?
- Can You Flush Toilet Paper In The Philippines?
- Is There Tipping In The Philippines?
- Are Filipino And Tagalog The Same?
Can A Foreigner Drive A Scooter In The Philippines?
Foreigners can drive a scooter in the Philippines for up to 90 days. To drive in the Philippines you need to have a valid driver’s license issued from your home country and must be in English.
You should remember that Southeast Asia does have a bad road safety record and the Philippines is no exception. You need to be careful when driving and always wear a good-quality helmet. And the rules of the road are more of a guideline than being obeyed. Plus the roads are in bad disrepair.
Are Cars In The Philippines Right-Hand Drive?
Yes, cars in the Philippines drive on the right-hand side of the road, the same as in the USA.
Is It Safe To Drive In The Philippines?
Generally, the Philippines has a poor road safety record whether it is a car or a moped. The reasons are as follows.
- The Philippines has a poor road safety record.
- Rules of the road are a bit more of a guideline than followed.
- The general state of the roads is poor.
The Philippines Has A Poor Road Safety Record
Simply having a poor road safety record speaks for itself but they’re not the worse in Southeast Asia. This is due to multiple reasons from the quality of the road transport system to the way the rules of the road are applied.
Rules Of The Road Are A Bit More Of A Guideline Than Followed
Like anywhere in the world locals always have a certain way of driving but in general, they don’t follow the rules of the road it is more of a nice guideline. So don’t expect drivers to stop at traffic lights or pedestrian crossings be cautious.
The General State Of The Roads Is Poor
Unfortunately, the roads in the Philippines can be crowded and chaotic but they are also in a bad state of disrepair. Expect roads to have potholes and the smooth road surface to suddenly change. This can also cause you to lose control of your vehicle and swerve into oncoming traffic or damage your vehicle.
What To Do If You Have A Car Accident In The Philippines?
Firstly regardless of how bad the accident is, the tourist will get the blame. If your moped gets damaged you will have to pay for the repairs of the scooter.
Now if you damage anything other than your scooter-like property. You will have to negotiate with the owners. If the police get involved, more than likely you will get the blame.
First, you need to get all personal information from the other driver involves their name, address, and national id number. Then take photos of the damage, the scene, and anything else that might be important.
Remember to stay calm and don’t pay any money upfront. A lot of drivers in the Philippines will demand cash up front to pay for their damage. And if you have insurance then call your insurance company.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, foreigners can drive a scooter in the Philippines for up to 90 days. To drive in the Philippines you need to have a valid driver’s license issued from your home country and must be in English. If driving a scooter in the Philippines you be careful when driving and always wear a good quality helmet.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on if a foreigner can drive a scooter in the Philippines has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.
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