School areaPhilippines

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Philippines. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


12. School area

A school area is a road or group of roads near a school where large numbers of children may walk, cycle, cross the road or enter and leave vehicles. It may be identified by warning signs, zone signs, road markings, traffic-calming measures or flashing lights.

Special speed limits, parking restrictions or access rules may apply permanently or only during school arrival and departure times. Drivers should reduce speed, watch carefully for children and be prepared to stop.

School-area warning sign beside a road in Concepcion. (Tarlac, Philippines)
Wikimedia.org • Judgefloro • CC BY-SA
What speed rules apply around schools in the Philippines?

Section 35 provides a maximum of 20 km/h when passing school zones, as well as in crowded streets and the other specified dangerous circumstances. The school-zone wording is not conditional on first seeing children. Follow the applicable controls and slow further whenever needed for safety.

🔗 issuances-library.senate.gov.ph • Philippines RA 4136 — Sections 35–54: prudent speed, traffic controls, safe circulation and local/facility restrictions

Does a school warning sign in the Philippines automatically set the speed limit?

A children or school warning alerts you to a potential hazard; the enforceable numerical speed limit depends on the applicable law, regulatory signs and any time or variable display. Slow further if children are near the road.

🔗 issuances-library.senate.gov.ph • Philippines RA 4136 — Sections 35–54: prudent speed, traffic controls, safe circulation and local/facility restrictions

How should you pass a school entrance in the Philippines?

Watch for children stepping out from between parked vehicles, obey crossings and any school patrol, and follow stopping or parking restrictions. Do not obstruct visibility near a crossing or school entrance; approach at a speed that permits a safe stop.

🔗 issuances-library.senate.gov.ph • Philippines RA 4136 — Sections 35–54: prudent speed, traffic controls, safe circulation and local/facility restrictions

1 Philippines 2 Speed limit 3 Bike path 4 Bridge 5 Toll road 6 One-way traffic 7 Stop sign 8 Give way 9 Pedestrian crossing 10 Railway crossing 11 Turn prohibition 12 School area 13 Overtaking 14 Curve 15 Chevron 16 Roadworks 17 Weight limit 18 Traffic lights 19 Pedestrian lights 20 Driving licence 21 Parking 22 No parking 23 Reversing 24 Uncontrolled crossroad 25 Provisional licence 26 Licence plate 27 Charging station 28 Bus 29 Police 30 Ambulance 31 Pothole 32 Path 33 Particulates 34 Air pollution 35 Rush hour 36 Road code 37 Street gutter 38 Cargo bike 39 Forestry vehicle 40 Construction vehicle 41 Semi-trailer truck 42 Trolleybus 43 Speed pedelec 44 Delivery vehicle 45 Idling 46 Tow truck 47 Four-wheel drive 48 Bicycle 49 Motorcycle equipment 50 Rail track 51 Caravan 52 Trailer 53 Tow hitch 54 Fire truck 55 Siren 56 Convoy 57 Emergency vehicle lighting 58 Agricultural machinery 59 Electric bicycle 60 Electric vehicle 61 Pedelec 62 Quadricycle 63 Microcar 64 All-terrain vehicle 65 Van 66 Recreational vehicle 67 Scooter 68 Trikke 69 Personal mobility device 70 Skateboard 71 Segway 72 Kick scooter 73 Roller skates 74 Mailman 75 Hitchhiker 76 Toddler 77 Child 78 Disability 79 Motorail 80 km/h 81 mph 82 Speedometer 83 Ride height 84 Dirt road 85 Driving 86 Start-stop system 87 Manual transmission 88 Automatic transmission 89 Throttle 90 Tachometer 91 Steering wheel 92 Power steering 93 Visual scanning 94 Mirror 95 Fuel 96 Fuel gauge 97 Petrol 98 Diesel 99 Diesel exhaust fluid 100 Car insurance ...