If you plan to be in the Philippines for more than 90 days and plan to drive a vehicle, you will need a Philippine driver’s license (foreign licenses are acceptable for drivers staying here for shorter periods of time). The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issues all drivers’ licenses. Offices are located throughout the country. The following are the requirements to acquire a Philippine driver’s license, provided you have a foreign license:
1. The original foreign license plus a photocopy.
2. If the information on the license is not written in English, a translation must be provided by the Embassy of the country where the license was issued.
3. If you need a professional license, or if the foreign license is expired at the time the application is filed, you will have to take both a written examination and a road test.
4. A completed application form.
The LTO will then give you a receipt that will serve as your temporary license for 60 days pending the issuance of the permanent license.
A non-professional driver's license costs about P250 (apx. US$5), but check the LTO fees page for up-to-date prices for all levels of driver's licenses. Licenses are valid for three years.
If you have questions about professional or student (first-time) driver licenses, please contact your local LTO.
Replacing expired/lost/stolen U.S. driver’s licenses
The Embassy is not authorized to replace expired, lost and stolen U.S. driver’s licenses. Only the Department of Motor Vehicles (or the equivalent) in the driver’s home state can perform that service. You may try www.hicitizen.com or www.vitalcheck.com, which offers a fee-based service, or you may search for your state’s DMV website for instructions.
If your driver’s license has been lost or stolen in the Philippines, immediately report it to the local police station in which the loss or theft occurred. You will want to obtain a police report for your records – and this may be needed to request a replacement license. If your state requires a sworn affidavit or a notarized application for a replacement license, the Embassy’s American Citizen Services section can notarize the document for a fee of $30. Notary services are available from 8:00am to 11:00am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, excluding U.S. and Philippine holidays. You will need to provide a passport or three other pieces of identification.
Obtaining an international driver’s license
The American Automobile Association (AAA) issues international driver’s licenses in the United States. Request an application from the American Automobile Association, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746-5063. Return the completed application to the same address with a photocopy of your valid U.S. driver’s license, two passport-size (2x2 inches or 5x5 centimeters) photographs and a check (U.S. banks only) or international money order for $10.00 payable to the AAA. The international driver’s license issued by the AAA is valid for one year. An international driver’s license is only valid for use in the Philippines by U.S. citizens who are here for less than 90 days.
International driver’s licenses are also available to Philippine driver’s license holders through the Philippine Motor Association in Quezon City (Tel.: 02-723-0808) or in Manila (Tel.: 02-526-8305).
The following documents are needed: a valid Philippine driver license, passport and a copying fee of P900 (subject to change).
You are required to have local third-party auto insurance with a Philippine insurance agency of your choice. This coverage must be for at least P750,000, with P20,000 for compulsory third-party liability and P365,000 each for bodily injuries and property damage.
Third-party liability, as well as comprehensive and collision insurance, can be obtained from several local insurance agencies that also provide claims processing and accident assistance.
In addition, many people choose to carry comprehensive insurance, which covers damage to your vehicle from causes other than an accident, and/or collision insurance through a U.S. company that will insure in the Philippines.
If you choose to carry insurance through a U.S. insurer, make sure that it will provide comprehensive or collision insurance in the Philippines. In addition, it may be useful to find out whether this insurance will be accepted in the Philippines.
Marine transport insurance may also be purchased to cover vehicles shipped to the Philippines.
Following are the requirements for registration of motor vehicles with the Land Transportation Office:
- NEW REGISTRATION
- Imported motor vehicle
- Original Invoice
- Certification of Payment of Taxes
- Letter of Confirmation of Certificate of Payment from the LTO Central Office Registration Section
- Philippine National Police – Traffic Management Group Clearance
- Actual inspection of motor vehicle resulting in completed Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (to include stencils of motor and chassis numbers on the form)
- Early Warning Device
- Confirmation of Dealers Report from Registration Section, Central Office or Regional Office
- Original Sales Invoice/Commercial Invoice of motor/chassis CR and OR of motor/chassis if taken from another vehicle
- Certification of Payment of Taxes from Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue if motor/chassis is imported
- Philippine National Police – Traffic Management Group Clearance
- Insurance Certificate of Cover
- Affidavit of rebuilt of Owner/Mechanic
- Actual inspection of motor vehicle resulting in completed Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (to include stencils of motor and chassis numbers on the form)
- Early Warning Device
For more detailed information about registration of motor vehicles, contact your local LTO.
Implementation of right-hand-drive vehicles into the Philippines is prohibited. Diesel-powered vehicles, including passenger cars, may be imported without regard to engine displacement or weight restriction.
Air-conditioning is necessary for safety reasons and because of the hot and humid weather, pollution and annoying dust. Cars should be undercoated, tropicalized and equipped with heavy-duty springs and shock absorbers. A vehicle with high clearance may be the most appropriate for individuals who plan to travel outside Metro Manila due to frequent heavy rains and flooding and poor road conditions. Bring a spare muffler, tail pipe, fan belts and radiator hoses to the Philippines if you ship a U.S.-model car, since these parts are particularly susceptible to the heat and humidity in the Philippines. Touch-up paint and chrome protective lacquer are also useful. Parts for some cars may be unavailable in the Philippines. However, competent labor for auto repairs is significantly less expensive than in the United States.
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Republic of the Philippines is provided for general reference only, and may not cover every location or circumstance.
Travel within the archipelago is possible by boat, plane or car. Traffic conditions are often crowded and chaotic. Drivers routinely ignore stoplights, lane markers and other traffic control devices and traffic rules are rarely enforced. As in most places where traffic is highly congested and under-regulated, driving in the Philippines requires maximum attention and patience to avoid accidents. Vehicles on the road include automobiles, trucks and buses as well as manually-operated tricycles and carts. Due to a lack of navigable sidewalks, pedestrians also use the road in most areas. Many roads are in disrepair, with large potholes; roads under repair are often not clearly marked or identified and may be a significant hazard, especially at night. Lower-lying roads will frequently be flooded after even a light rain, making it difficult to see holes and other obstacles. During the rainy season, roads at higher elevations sometimes experience landslides.
Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when crossing roads. Driving off the national highways and paved roads is particularly dangerous, especially at night. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive by U.S. standards, and are the recommended form of public transportation. All other forms of public transportation, including the light rail and jeepneys, should be avoided for both safety and security reasons.
All front seat occupants of vehicles are required to wear safety belts. Traffic signals and signs, often in English, are similar to those in the U.S., and traffic moves on the right. U.S. auto insurance is usually not accepted in the Philippines, and foreign drivers involved in serious accidents may face extreme difficulties. The central Philippine agencies responsible for transportation and safety are the Department of Transportation and Communication and the Department of Public Works and Highways. In several large metropolitan areas, emergency police services can be reached by dialing 166. Emergency ambulance service is slow and unreliable and crews are rarely equipped or trained for life-saving measures.
Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside/Ambulance Assistance: Poor
Since traffic accidents are common in the Philippines, it pays to be prepared for such an event. Due to the relatively low speeds of traffic movement, most accidents are minor. However, if you have a cell phone, it is a good idea to carry it in your vehicle. You should have a copy of your car’s registration, official receipt and auto insurance policy in the glove compartment. Also, you may want to keep a list of emergency phone numbers in the glove compartment. In all cases, police officers are prohibited from charging or requesting fees for any services.
What to do in the event of an accident:
1. Stop immediately and determine whether anyone has been hurt. If someone is injured, help take him/her to a hospital or call an ambulance.
2. Take all possible precautions to prevent additional accidents by stationing persons to direct traffic and clear the road of any debris.
3. If the other parties involved in the accident become hostile or accusatory, give them your name, phone number and business card and ask them to call you when they are calmer so you can work out the details.
4. If you feel at risk or threatened by the section of town where the accident took place, travel to the nearest police station or inform the nearest police officer. Philippine accident investigation procedures require the driver of an involved vehicle to report to the local police station to give a statement. Expect this request and cooperate if all parties are amicable.
5. Carry a photocopy of your Philippine Driver’s License and surrender this to the police. Do not give up your original license. This is often lost at the station and you’ll never get it back.
6. Be sure to obtain complete information about the other party – name, address, driver’s license number, license number of the vehicle and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle if other than the driver.
7. Do not express opinions about the accident except to the appropriate officials. Do not admit fault or liability.
8. Notify your insurance agent of the accident.
If you are given a traffic ticket, it should be in one of two forms: a Traffic Violation Ticket or a Temporary Operating Permit (if your license has been confiscated). If you receive a Traffic Violation ticket, the procedure for paying the fine is as follows:
1. Present your original TVR to the designated redemption center. If the yellow copy has not yet been submitted by the apprehending officer, your TVR will be given an extension of up to one week for you to return to represent your TVR.
2. Your assessment will be given to you.
3. If your penalty is a fine and you admit the violation you will be directed to the collector or cashier to pay the fine.
4. Present your official receipt to the Data Processing Section.
5. Wait for your name to be called for your license to be released.
This process should take about one hour but you may experience significant delays.
If you receive a Temporary Operator’s Permit after your license is confiscated, the following procedure applies:
1. Go to the LTO or agency 72 hours from the time of apprehension (this is the validity period of the TOP). There are times when the apprehending officer cannot, for some reason, submit the copy to that LTO office or agency during the time allotted, in which case you would be given an extension not to exceed one week.
2. Go to the Law Enforcement Section where a case number will be given to you.
3. Use this case number to identify yourself at the Traffic Adjudication Section.
4. If you admit to the violation, you will be ordered to pay a fine.
5. If you contest the validity of the violation, the apprehending officer will receive a subpoena for a confrontation with you before a Traffic Adjudication Section lawyer within one week.
6. If admitting to the violation, pay the fine. You should receive an official receipt.
7. After paying the fine, your license should be returned.
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