🇵🇭 Drive Philippines with Confidence
Know the rules. Carry the right documents. Enjoy the road.
Do You Need an IDP in Philippines?
Required if Your Licence Is Not in English
Visitors can drive in the Philippines on a valid home licence for up to 90 days — provided the licence is in English. If it is not, an IDP is required as the official translation. Even if it is, most rental companies prefer to see an IDP, and police may request it at checkpoints.
Metro Manila Number Coding
Metro Manila's number-coding scheme (UVVRP) bans vehicles from major roads on one weekday per week, based on the last digit of the plate. It applies to rental cars too — plan around your plate if you drive in the capital.
Driving Rules in Philippines
Drive on the Right
The Philippines drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Traffic in Metro Manila is heavy and lane discipline is loose, so stay alert and allow generous travel time.
Strict Alcohol Limits
The Anti-Drunk Driving Act sets a 0.05% limit for private car drivers and effectively zero for motorcycle riders and professional drivers. Penalties include heavy fines, licence suspension, and imprisonment.
Expressway Tolls (RFID)
Major expressways on Luzon such as NLEX and SLEX are tolled, and most use RFID electronic payment (Autosweep or Easytrip). Make sure your rental car has a loaded tag before setting off.
Speed Limits
Urban areas: 30–40 km/h. Open national roads: 80 km/h. Expressways such as NLEX and SLEX: up to 100 km/h, with minimum speeds also enforced. In Metro Manila, congestion is the real limit on your speed.
Mandatory Equipment
Philippine rules require an early warning device (reflective triangle) in every car. Rental vehicles come equipped — confirm it is in the boot before driving off.
Renting a Car in Philippines
The Philippines has rental desks at major airports and in city centres; many visitors book a car with a driver instead. Here is what you need to know.
Required Documents
Most visitors need a valid IDP alongside their home licence and passport. A credit card in the driver's name is required for the security deposit. Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old.
Typical Costs
Self-drive rentals typically start from around ₱1,500–2,500/day for a compact car, and hiring a car with a driver is a popular, affordable alternative. Book ahead for Holy Week and the Christmas season.
Top Rental Companies
Avis Philippines — airport and hotel locations. Hertz — international brand presence in Manila and Cebu. A car with a driver is a popular and affordable alternative for visitors.
“We rented a car in Manila and drove down to Tagaytay and Batangas. The expressways were easy with the RFID tag, and having our IDP alongside our licences made the pickup and the checkpoints stress-free.”
Read our guide: How to Use Your IDP at a Car Rental Counter
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Philippines IDP FAQ
Visitors can drive in the Philippines for up to 90 days on a valid home licence if it is in English. If it is not, an IDP is required as the official translation. Most rental companies prefer to see an IDP either way, and police may request it at checkpoints.
Major expressways on Luzon such as NLEX and SLEX are tolled, and most now use RFID electronic payment (Autosweep or Easytrip). Make sure your rental car has a loaded tag before setting off.
Metro Manila enforces a number-coding scheme (UVVRP) that bans vehicles from major roads on one weekday per week based on the plate's last digit. Plan around it if you drive in the capital.
The Philippines drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Traffic in Metro Manila is heavy, so allow generous travel time.