Driver’s License in the Philippines – Fast and Painless

[Overtrade]

Heading to the Philippines for the first time this August. We’ll see if there’s actually something fruitful about this idea. Influencers rave about the place , probably just to sell the dream. Regular folks? Well… mixed reviews.

So here’s the real question:
Can you start the process of getting a driver’s license in the Philippines right after landing as a tourist?

Or do you have to sit around and wait 6 months (or more) just to get your ACR I-Card before you're even allowed to begin the course and then take the test?

Also , do the authorities in the Philippines care if you already have a driver’s license from another country?

Or do they not give a damn?

 

[jorge]

I imagine they don’t really care, but if the police stop you in the Philippines, they’ll probably expect a bribe to let you continue driving.

 

[daniels27]

Can you start the process of getting a driver’s license in the Philippines right after landing as a tourist?

Or do you have to sit around and wait 6 months (or more) just to get your ACR I-Card before you're even allowed to begin the course and then take the test?

You can check it here:
https://www.lto.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-CC2024-DL-CONVERSION.pdf

They keep changing the rules. You now need to be allowed for at least 120 days in the country. You can get a Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) for 6 months. You will also need licence from right-hand traffic country. If it is not in English, you need to get a translation from your embassy.

I think the only reason to have a licence from there for further exchanges or if you want to open a bank account online as they allow you to do this with a driving licence.

If you just want to drive, you don't need it. You can use any English driving licence or an International Driving Permit.
https://uk.qeeq.com/locations/countries/car-rental-philippines/driving-licence-requirements

 

[peter taradash]

Very slight correction: Philippines is a left hand drive country like the USA. So you can do an exchange & don't need to take a driving test if you have an English language driving license from a left hand drive country. Hint: Use a plastic laminated DL (copy) to hand in for exchange if you want to keep your old license.
PS: When you extend your initial stay after about 3 months, you get a plastic 1 year resident card & that's all you need to be able to get most other papers in the Philippines. Using fixers was not allowed under the Duterte admin, but we heard that corruption is back and now you can get whatever you want from a paid fixer. Not sure about this though.

 

[daniels27]

@peter taradash thanks. Light and reft never was my strength. I had in my noted that they drive on the right like the US. Probably I messed up.

But are they taking your old licence now, because the last guy I had told me he could keep it.

 

[Overtrade]

Very slight correction: Philippines is a left hand drive country like the USA. So you can do an exchange & don't need to take a driving test if you have an English language driving license from a left hand drive country. Hint: Use a plastic laminated DL (copy) to hand in for exchange if you want to keep your old license.
PS: When you extend your initial stay after about 3 months, you get a plastic 1 year resident card & that's all you need to be able to get most other papers in the Philippines. Using fixers was not allowed under the Duterte admin, but we heard that corruption is back and now you can get whatever you want from a paid fixer. Not sure about this though.

The issue is that I’m going to the Philippines using the passport from my country of origin (EU).


Since I obtained Turkish citizenship, I exchanged my original driving licence for a Turkish one, which now bears my Turkish name and surname.


Exchanging my Turkish licence for a Philippine one isn’t possible , or even wise , because the names don’t match, and I won’t have a visa under my Turkish identity.


That’s why I want to take the course and exam in the Philippines from scratch, to get a driving licence under my EU name and surname.


Two driving licences are better than one, right?


What I’m most curious about is whether I can take the course and exam , even with the help of a fixer , right away, or if I have to wait 3 to 6 months for a Philippine residence card.

 

[daniels27]

Since I obtained Turkish citizenship, I exchanged my original driving licence for a Turkish one, which now bears my Turkish name and surname.

See, it would have been better to do the Philippines game first and then lose your licence in Türkyie.

 

[WormCasting]

The issue is that I’m going to the Philippines using the passport from my country of origin (EU).


Since I obtained Turkish citizenship, I exchanged my original driving licence for a Turkish one, which now bears my Turkish name and surname.


Exchanging my Turkish licence for a Philippine one isn’t possible , or even wise , because the names don’t match, and I won’t have a visa under my Turkish identity.


That’s why I want to take the course and exam in the Philippines from scratch, to get a driving licence under my EU name and surname.


Two driving licences are better than one, right?


What I’m most curious about is whether I can take the course and exam , even with the help of a fixer , right away, or if I have to wait 3 to 6 months for a Philippine residence card.

In thailand the cops want to see 1x drivers license from your home country and 1x international drivers license which can be bought locally (legal) in specific offices. I assume in the phillipines its similar...


Did you get your Turkish citizenship by investment in real estate for 400k EUR ?
How was the process ?

 

[daniels27]

In thailand the cops want to see 1x drivers license from your home country and 1x international drivers license which can be bought locally (legal) in specific offices. I assume in the phillipines its similar...

Almost. I have explained it above and linked the official document with instructions. You need either an English driving licence or an official translation from the embassy of the issuing country in the Philippines.

 

[WormCasting]

Almost. I have explained it above and linked the official document with instructions. You need either an English driving licence or an official translation from the embassy of the issuing country in the Philippines.

they stopped every foreigner driving past the police checkpoint in thailand when I was there.
once I took out 2 licenses (official one from my country and international one) they didnt even blink an eye and sent me away...

In these countries cops like to make their own rules and try to scam you.
often they got no clue about the real laws themselves.