Getting Philippines Driving License nowadays?

Here is the guts of it, Firstly since the changes last year so.  I just spoke to the LTO in the place i live last week, around the 25th of August, 2020.

On my license (Australian) and probably most other countries you can drive in the Philippines for up to 3 months.  Then you have to wait for another 9 months (or be a resident or citizen) to them apply for a (transfer you home country license)  Philippines license.  i.e. hold a  ACR card.  Having said that, when i read the legislation you only have to prove that you WILL be in the Philippines for 12 months.  No mention ACR card.

If you want some links to the above let me know.



Why they have made it that you can drive for 3 months and then not be allowed to drive for the next 9 plus months.  I don't know.

If you don't hold a current license then you will have to do a practical driver training course, then theory assessment.  I am not sure of the residency requirements to do it that way.

That one has always been a stickler for me pej, 3 months as a tourist is ok then you are illegal if you stay longer, especially now as we can't leave the country easily.
I had the same problem opening bank accounts here 8 years ago, had the ACR 1 and a 12 months lease on a condo in Manila,,,,,,,, 4 BDO branches before success and had to beg the manageress to achieve it.

As a side thought I wonder if a 25 + 25 year lease on land and owning buildings count with LTO? And the fact that many foreigners are stuck here.

Cheers, Steve.

kindawn wrote:

Anyone tried to convert or get a new Philippines driving license since the pandemic started? I heard there were quite a lots of changes compared to last year so just wonder how was your experience, especially in metro manila. I'm planning to get one..

Pre Pandemic, I applied for and received a Philippine Drivers License. It was some time ago so some things seem a little fuzzy to me.

I already had my ACR card, You will need a Doctors Exam & Eye Test, which you can get around the corner for a small nominal price. You will encounter fixers wanting a fee, skip this, one wanted a $100 USD and the other $20 USD.

Dress properly, shoes, long pants, shirt or else you will be turned away. Bring your license and other relevant paperwork, also bring several photocopies.

Bring earplugs, when I went it shared space with a church, their loud speakers could be heard in China, only joking about the ear plugs.

They will issue license on the spot, probably spent about 2 1/2 hours from Doctors appointment to license.

You get to retain your current countries license. I wrote a more detailed explanation which can be found somewhere on this site when I actually obtained the license.

I've had my .Philippines driving licence for around 2 years now. I just went to my local LTO office in the licencing area and asked (on the advice of a friend) to speak to the manager. When the manager eventually appeared I told her I wanted to convert a foreign licence into Filipino licence. I had been advised not to say "UK licence" by that friend, because he informed me that he had to take a practical driving test because he said "UK licence", something to do with non reciprocal driving agreements with the UK.

My UK licence had actually expired at that time which I expected might be a problem but during the process, after looking at my UK licence for a while  she said "no expiry date?" to which I just replied "No" she then just stamped everything and sent me to another counter to start the process of getting my Philippines driving licence whoopee.

FindlayMacD wrote:

I've had my .Philippines driving licence for around 2 years now. I just went to my local LTO office in the licencing area and asked (on the advice of a friend) to speak to the manager. When the manager eventually appeared I told her I wanted to convert a foreign licence into Filipino licence. I had been advised not to say "UK licence" by that friend, because he informed me that he had to take a practical driving test because he said "UK licence", something to do with non reciprocal driving agreements with the UK.

My UK licence had actually expired at that time which I expected might be a problem but during the process, after looking at my UK licence for a while  she said "no expiry date?" to which I just replied "No" she then just stamped everything and sent me to another counter to start the process of getting my Philippines driving licence whoopee.

Mine was a similar case...was asked by the LTO manager when my singapore drivers license expires, for which I told him that my license from Singapore is valid for life (which was the truth that is till we turn 65)....so not much benefit there.
But stupid me...the next question was he asked me if the license was for both the motorcar & motorbike...i should have just said YES...instead I blabbered *NO its only for vehicles upto 3000kgs sir (which again was the truth)...he said ok you may proceed to collect your vehicle drivers license...if only I had said YES i would have the license for both the motorcar and motorbike.
Maybe next time.

I was asked if I wanted both car and motorbike and I just said yes and was given both.

FindlayMacD wrote:

I was asked if I wanted both car and motorbike and I just said yes and was given both.

"Nice"...yes we learn....maybe next time.
(Current one expires 2024).

kindawn wrote:

Anyone tried to convert or get a new Philippines driving license since the pandemic started? I heard there were quite a lots of changes compared to last year so just wonder how was your experience, especially in metro manila. I'm planning to get one..

Right now, if you are 60 or older, LTO will send you away, due to CV19 restrictions. 

You need your ACR-I card, your country of origin Drivers License, complete an application, get a Medical Certificate, pay your fees, have your photo snapped, and voila!!!

There is something about proof of staying 12 months or longer, but the Ormoc City LTO did not require it.

Your problem will be if your stopped by police they will ask for your I Card if it is not permanent they will take your license, a good friend of mine had that happen he is here on tourist visa

Thanks for all of your sharing, I guess I will start going to LTO next week to convert mine. Seems like a lot cheaper if you do it yourself instead of going through fixer

What do you need a fixer for?

moonunit0103 wrote:

What do you need a fixer for?

You don't need a fixer, but a few new Expats may be unaware of that. I can see why some may choose that route. Not knowing the language and especially having bad experiences on simpler things they tried to accomplish.

Now with a big time fixer, with connections, money talks, you could get impossible things done. That's all I'm going to say about that.

I've had experiences trying to communicate with somebody that knows very little English. The only thing accomplished is dumb looks by me, them or both of us.

One time at S&R I had a difficult time understanding the ordering of my ice tea, she kept asking me ice or no ice in Tag and then me counting the correct coin change for purchase. Such a simple task compared to doing more serious things in the next paragraph.

When trying to open bank accounts, NBI clearance, obtaining my ACR card and my Philippine drivers license would have been extremely difficult for me without having my stepson & wife with me. They were my fixers, doing the heavy lifting.

Also false re-enforcement because for all those certified helpers at the immigration office with their identifying vests. This is probably the first thing Expats may encounter and may set the tone confusing licensed helpers with hustling fixers.