Driving in Philippines – Recommendations, Tips and Tricks
Find Your Car in Philippines
10. Controversial traffic situations happen often on local roads, but in most cases they are resolved quickly and peacefully. Manila has the busiest traffic in the country. At first glance, foreign visitors may consider local traffic completely random and incredibly dangerous.
11. The country’s capital is home to about 12 million people. The number of cars in the city is a little less. Despite the fact that local roads are a very busy place with heavy traffic, many local people continue using them instead of sidewalks. They can walk on the edge of a busy road very close to cars despite the fact that there is a broad pavement near the road.
Hints on Car Hire in Philippines
When choosing a car for your Philippines trip, don’t forget to check and compare the franchise amount (indicated in the rental conditions) for all cars considered in your selection. The franchise may vary from 200 to 2000 euro/dollars even for cars of the same class. A thorough comparison will allow you to choose the option with the lowest franchise.
During your booking, we will offer you to take a full coverage of the franchise ('No Risk' or 'No Excess' package). If you book a car without full coverage, it is recommended to take it at the pick-up time - this will substantially reduce your financial liability in Philippines for the whole rental period.
During your car pick-up in Philippines, do not forget to check what to do in breakdown-, accident- or theft-cases. Most of our offers include 'Breakdown Assistance' package. Besides this, every rental office would be happy to assist you with this package.
Prior to the car return, please check your voucher for the fuel conditions. If it is indicated that a driver shall return the car with a full tank, do not forget to refuel it on the way back, this will save you from additional charges at the rental office.
12. In large cities, you can often see traffic controllers during rush hours. Motorists should obey their instructions, and if traffic controllers can control drivers, pedestrians do not listen to their instructions and keep ignoring safety rules.
13. In the Philippines, you will often see large-scale events and promotions, aimed at making both drivers and pedestrians respect traffic regulations. Many events may seem very original for foreigners. For example, during one of the campaigns it was decided to use wet blankets to teach pedestrians to cross the street in the right place. There were many small trucks plying on the roads of the capital, and people in these trucks stroke all passengers who were crossing the road in the wrong place. Wet blankets served as the main "educational tool".
14. In spite of the fact that many of these “methods of education” may seem inhumane, local authorities have a strong argument to justify their use. Earlier, they tried to fine pedestrians who were breaking the rules; pedestrians were imprisoned, sent to social works, and were even forced to perform the national anthem publicly - none of these methods gave any positive results.
15. When traveling on local roads, motorists should pay increased attention to public transport. Bus drivers often think they have a prerogative, so they almost never give way to ordinary cars.
16. Motorcycle taxis are an unusual type of "public transport" in the Philippines. Many owners of scooters work part time as “taxis”. Naturally, they are always in a hurry just like taxi drivers, and so they rarely observe all traffic regulations accurately.
17. Crossroads remain the zones of high-risk. In small towns they are not equipped with traffic lights. Having stopped at the stop line, you shouldn’t be surprised to see how in a couple of seconds numerous motorcycles and scooters appear in front of your vehicle. Drivers of the two-wheeled transport are well aware of benefits of their vehicles, and local car owners have already got accustomed to such situations, so they do not express any disagreement.