Back when I first moved to the Philippines, I felt pretty much stranded. As an American, we are really hooked to having a vehicle of our own, and without one I just didn’t feel normal!
Only about 2 weeks after my arrival, I bought a car. I just could not make it without one, or so I thought. It didn’t take much longer, I decided I better go and obtain a Philippine Driver’s License. So, I went down to the LTO (Land Transportation Office) and inquired on the procedure, found out what documents I needed and generally got ready to obtain my Philippine Driver’s License.
Really, it is quite simple to get a Philippine Driver’s License. You can generally do it in an afternoon (or a morning if you prefer). If you listen to the Podcast it will lay out where to go and what to bring with you in order to obtain your Philippine Driver’s License.
These days, I don’t do much driving anymore. I prefer to leave that task to public transportation. I mostly like to ride the jeepneys, but from time to time I also take the taxi. I do drive as well, but not often. I honestly think that I probably use less than a full tank of gasoline in a year! Much different than I used to do!
[powerpress]
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Chapter III, Sec. 21 of the Republic Act (RA) 4136, otherwise known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code” states that:. “Bonafide tourists and similar transients who are duly licensed to operate motor vehicles in their respective countries may be allowed to operate during but not after (90) days of their sojourn in the Philippines.”
http://www.lto.gov.ph/index.php/faqs/driver-s-licensing
SUMMARY OF DRIVERS LICENSE AND PERMITS FEES AND CHARGES
http://www.lto.gov.ph/index.php/services/drivers-licensing/115-summary-of-drivers-license-and-permits-fees-and-charges
Yes, Gary, this is what I said in the podcast. Only difference is that some municipalities in the Philippines do not allow you 90 days. Davao is one of them, they want you to get a Philippines driver license much more quickly, and will actually penalize you if you use a foreign driver’s license for more than about a week.
My question is how is that legal? How can you will get penalized for following Philippine’s written law and an International Treaty that the Philippines signed in 1973? I understand that it is the Philippines.
https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?&src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI~B~19&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg3&lang=en
I found my answer that it is not.
17. Tourist operating or allowing the use of non Philippine
registered motor vehicle beyond the 90 day period of his
sojourn in the country
– the MV shall not be allowed to operate by the
confiscation of its plates, OR & CR until properly
registered
– in addition, if the driver is a holder of local driver’s
license, the same shall be suspended for one(1) month
5,000.00
http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/tmc/downloads/Penalties(LTO)20120528161152.pdf
That’s just how things work in the Philippines, Gary. It happens every day. A friend always likes to say that things in the Philippines are “consistently inconsistent”. And, they are.
You can cite all the laws that you wish, but I am telling you how it really works here, not the way the paper says it is supposed to work.
It seems, though, that you don’t really understand how things work in the Philippines. I am not trying to be mean to you, Gary, only telling you how things actually work here, and how the driver’s license issue is enforced. That might not be what the law says, but it is how it works in real life.
I am not upset. I understand where you are coming from. You have the experience of living there.
Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said it best “criminals have more fun in the Philippines. This sounds like it is along the lines with what I have been discussing here. Criminals can be on both sides.
Its more fun in the Philippines!
Not a problem, Gary. No worries.
First podcast I listened to, Bob. Pretty good.
I agree with your previous comments. Just because the law says it’s supposed to be a certain way doesn’t mean it is that certain way. I speak from experience.
Hi RT, thanks for listening in, glad to have you on board.
Yes, there is the law as it is written, and there is the actual way it is enforced. Not always the same thing.
My experience … as a long time regular visitor to Davao and who intends residing there permanently In 2015 I decided to get my Philippines drivers license while there on my last visit in August. I used a recommended agent to streamline the process … these agents adjoin the LTO office. Anyway, as instructed I went down there with my passport, my foreign drivers licence and the fee … after a quick eye and blood test (P100) I was escorted to the LTO by the agent to have my photo taken and license issued (so I thought) … so off we go to LTO (total time so far 40 minutes) where the agent tells me to take a seat and await for my name to be called. So I sit there thinking, wow, I’ll be out of here within the hour with a bran new shiny RP drivers license … wrong … the agent comes back and says they need your ACR … I don’t have one … then you must go to immigration and get one … no worries (I knew it was too good to be true). So off I go to immigration only to find out I must be in country for 59 days before they will issue one. Back to the agent to let her know the verdict … she says ‘I’ll talk to LTO again”… comes back and says they cannot proceed without the ACR but she has a friend in the LTO in Gensan who will issue one without the ACR for an additional P2000 fee … I declined and said I will wait until next year … ho hum another day in paradise 🙂 … cheers
Hi Greg – Thanks for sharing your story. Honestly, I think somebody was scamming you, that P2000 fee is bogus. I have never heard of a policy where an ACR card is required. In fact, under Philippine law the only government agency that can ask for your ACR card is the Bureau of Immigration.
Hi Bob, Maybe a scam but it all seemed legit … I personally spoke to the LTO counter person and then her supervisor and they remained adamant they require the ACR ID number to process the application … the P2000 offer came two days later from a third party with connections 😉 … nothing lost but my time as LTO gave me a full refund on the spot after returning from immigration … cheers
Scam or no scam $50 us is still a small fee to pay to get it done. and after you get your first Drivers license. it is easy to renew over and over again. divide that fee over a life time it maybe comes out to $1 or $2 a year? sometimes you have to weigh out your time or your money. sometimes time wins.
Every time an expat takes that attitude and says “well, it is not too much…” it affects every other expat. It makes it where the “bribes” and “scams” will only increase. I would take the opposite approach, James…. don’t ever pay the bribe.
Yes I guess you are right, Bob.
I think it is the wise way to go, James. You can get stuff done here without paying bribes, I know because I get stuff done, and I don’t pay. Just takes a little persistence. Paying bribes, in my opinion, is never the right thing to do.
There is nothing legit about it, no matter how legit it seemed. There is no “P2000 fee” to ignore the rules (which don’t even exist). It was a scam, pure and simple.
The ‘legit’ I was referring to was the requirement of the Davao LTO that I must have an ACR ID number to have my application processed … at no time did the Davao LTO offer or hint at proceeding with my application for an additional fee … I concur with you that the offer from GenSan LTO through a third party was definitely a scam and for the record I reiterate that I declined the offer.
oops … should have read blood pressure test
Because im old lol, my licence from the UK is on paper so LTO in Tagum will not accept it unless it is authenticated by the British embassy in Manila. So I wont bother with it, unless they pay for my flight lol.
I hear you, John. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably do without one too!
Good to know.
Thanks, Carl.
Hi Bob and others…..I just went down (3 months ago) and got my Temporary RP drivers license and it took about 4 hours. It was a conversion from Calif. DL. No one ever asked for a ACR card? I had help but it was no charge….They even take your picture at the LTO so no need for pictures. I don’t drive in Davao or the rest of RP but I wanted the license for a photo ID and proof of residence.
Hi Dave, thanks for letting us know about your LTO/Drivers license experience. That is the same as what I have experienced.
Hey I wonder? How do the police officer know you have been in the country over 90 days when he stops you?
I know It is on your passport, but personally I don’t carry my passport around everywhere I go.
That was the real reason I went ahead and got my Philippine Drivers License, so I didn’t have to worry about the 90 day thing. And one time when I was stopped before I got my Philippine Drivers License the officer wanted to keep my US drivers license and I wasn’t interested in that at all.
And I figured if I did have a Philippine driver’s license I would be more identified as someone who lived there and not just a tourist.
Philippine law requires you to carry your passport at all times if you are a foreigner. Even if you have a Philippine Driver’s license, if they ask for your passport you are required to have it.
I was told I only need to have my ACR I-Card on me at all times, by the Bureau of Immigration. I’ve never carried my passport anywhere unless I was leaving or entering the country. I suppose it would be different for a temporary stay.
I have no doubt you were told that, but there is a law on the books that you must carry your passport if you are not a citizen. Now.. do I carry my passport? No. But, the answer to the question asked is that you are actually required by law to carry it. 🙂
Driving , ahhh no thx lol
Yes I figured I was suppose to have it, but I have never been asked for it.