Driving Licences

Unlike in many other parts of Asia, the Philippines makes is it relatively straightforward for foreigners/expats to drive in the country.

I have a valid foreign driver’s license. Can I use it in the Philippines?

If you only plan to stay in the Philippines for short periods, then upon arrival you can legally drive in the Philippines using your Foreign Driver’s Licence without having to apply for any type of “International Driving Licence”. However, this is only permitted for up to 90 days from the date of your arrival in the Philippines.

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.”

If you plan on staying in the Philippines for periods in excess of 90 days (at any given time) and wish to legally drive on the roads, then you will need to get a Philippine Driver’s Licence. Although the process takes a little time (mostly waiting around), the process is straightforward and once done, your Philippine Driver’s Licence will be valid for 5 years (up to 10 years in some circumstances). Applications are processed at your nearest Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Live in Angeles City? Read this tip!

Converting your Foreign Driver’s Licence

Although the term used by the LTO is “conversion”, what this means in practice is that you can use your Foreign Driver’s Licence as “proof” that you are a driver of some competence/experience. If your Foreign Driver’s Licence is valid, then you will not usually have to sit any written/practical exams with the LTO prior to being issued with a Philippine Driver’s Licence.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle
Must be able to read and write in Filipino and/or English
Holder of a valid foreign driver’s license whose visa is valid for 120 days upon arrival
If Foreign Driver’s Licence expired – Must have passed the LTO written and practical examination.

Duly accomplished Application Form for Driver’s License (ADL)
Presentation of copy of the medical certificate. (Electronically transmitted to LTO by the accredited medical clinic.
Presentation of original and submission of one (1) photocopy of expired foreign Driver’s License. If the foreign Driver’s License is not in English language, original and one photocopy of official English translation.
Presentation of original and submission of one (1) photocopy of valid passport showing the first page, visa page and latest date of entry in the Philippines or if born in the Philippines, presentation of the original and submission of one (1) photocopy of birth certificate duly authenticated by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In areas where there is no PSA branch, presentation of the original and submission of one (1) photocopy of birth certificate validated by the Office of the Local Civil Registry with attached Official Receipt.

Licence transaction with/without examination

Requests Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form and accomplishes the same
Get queue number
Submit accomplished ADL and all the requirements with the attached queue number
Proceed to the Cashier for payment of fees
Take written examination
IF FAILED
4.1. Receive the computer generated letter. You can return the following day at your convenience
End of transaction
IF PASSED
Proceed to actual driving test
Take the actual driving test
IF FAILED
End of transaction
IF PASSED
Proceed to the cashier for payment of fees
Proceed to the encoding / biometric window and accomplishes form for encoding of complete details in the new LTO-IT system
Receive OR and the DL Card
Sign in the log sheet

Non-Professional : ₱585.00
Professional : ₱585.00

Penalties	1 YEAR	2 YEARS	3 YEARS

Non-Professional	₱75	₱150	₱225
Professional	₱75	₱150	₱225

Renewing your Philippine Licence

As of Mid November 2021 the LTO is able to renew Philippine Driver’s Licences for up to 10 years. However, the process of renewal does involve a couple of steps to be aware of.

In order to qualify for a 10 year Philippine Driver’s Licence upon renewal you must have:

Passed the online 25 question exam and have a printed/digital copy of the online Certificate
Passed a routine Medical Checkup at an accredited clinic (there are several near every LTO)

NOTES:

i. For now, drivers with any recorded traffic violations will only be able to renew for 5 years
ii. You are able to sit the exam and access all the necessary documents via the new online LTO Portal, which contains all the information you need. Registration is Free.

LTO Portal

Tip for SRRV Holders

When registering via the LTO online Portal you will be asked for your ACR-I Number and expiry date. At the time of writing the LTO Portal does not recognise the PRA / SRRV Membership Card Number and as SRRV holders know, they are exempt from requiring an ACR-I Card.

Here’s the acceptable work-around – and it works!

Your SRRV number will likely look something like: D-026501. ACR-I numbers are longer.
Therefore omit the “-” and add zeros to the END so that the number you input is 11 characters long i.e. D0265010000.

The expiry date you enter online should be the date you are due to pay your next SRRV renewal (in my case on my birthday, 2022). You should now be able to register online without any further problem.

I am sure this will come as a relief to SRRV holders needing to renew their Philippines Licence and to date, have been unable to register online for some of the time saving online facilities.

* Routine Medical Check-Ups *
(Mandatory)

Most foreigners living in the Philippines forget, or are unaware of the following mandatory routine medical check-ups required for Philippine Driver’s Licence holders:

5 YEAR Licence : Medical Check-Up (including Eye Test) on 3rd anniversary of Licence issued date.

10 YEAR Licence :Medical Check-Up (including Eye Test) on 3rd & 7th anniversary of Licence issued date.

Motorcycles & Bike Bikes!

Rather unusually (and somewhat insane!) is that when you receive your Philippine Driver’s Licence, as well as a car, you will be permitted to ride any motorcycle (irrespective of its size/cc). This is different than most other countries, where a separate Motorcycle Licence is needed, especially for powerful motorbikes that exceed a certain size/cc. Under current legislation it does not matter if your foreign Driver’s Licence is only for a car; in the Philippines your issued Licence will be valid for cars AND motorcycles.

International Driving

Handy for expats who have perhaps had their Driver’s Licence lapse (or even revoked) in their country of origin, is the ability to apply for an International Driving Permit using their Philippine Driver’s Licence. This is done via Automotive Association of the Philippine (AAP).

Visit : The AAP Website

Expats in Angeles City and/or Pampanga

A great time saving tip is to use the LTO office in DAU rather than the much busier LTO office on McArthur Highway, Angeles City. Oftentimes if you fill out the paperwork and take the medical/eye test, you can pay and be out in less than 30 minutes!