Buying used Motorbikes in the Philippines

You don't need to go to an LTO in Manila, there are LTOs in most major towns and cities throughout the country including Ilo-Ilo. In fact, it's most unlikely that they will issue a Philippine licence to a very new arrival as they generally require foreigners to provide proof of address. Most temporary stay foreigners use the lease-contract for their accommodation for this purpose.

However, as you are going to be in Manila, I would suggest you visit the office of the Bureau of Immigration at Intramuros and obtain a six month extension of stay. This isn't any cheaper than 3 x two month extensions but will relieve you of the need to visit a BI office at 59 day intervals; the Intramuros office is the only one currently issuing six month extensions. And don't forget that you will have to visit BI again a few days before you leave the country in order to get an Exit Clearance Certificate (ECC).

If the vehicle you're buying is brand new, it will take several days before the dealer can deliver as he will have to obtain a temporary licence tag (aka "number plate") from LTO. That tag is only valid for 30 days and you will have to make several trips to the dealer for either the permanent tag or a renewal of the temporary tag (for which there is, of course, a further fee payable!). However, once issued, the registration is valid for 3 years (commencing on the month of original purchase).

Never heard of that and we have 4 vehicles we purchased brand new in the last 5 years. The most recent one was a in march of this year.
The vehicle will have a conduction sticker with numbers which will be placed on the top right of the front and back windscreen. You are then expected to copy this temporary number and put it on the front and back registration plates. Some dealers will do this for you. If they don't you can do it yourself or go and have a fancy temp plate done for around 500 pesos.

proof of address i will be staying with girlfriend in our house so what would i need for prove that.
thanks for that regards Exit clearance certificate. i would have just gone airport and tried leave like time before last i did not get visa extension and they would not let me on plane till i paid fine so i missed my plane and had pay again for another flight

Regards the extension visa and clearance certificate do i still need them when we get married?

Yes because it's one of the many laws that's not enforced evenly or regularly! But it is supposed to combat car crime - new vehicles being stolen to order in Manila and then sold-on in other parts of the country, often Cebu or on Mindanao.

Yes, you'll need both extensions and the ECC - the ECC is required if you stay exactly six months (to the day) or longer. You'll also have to apply for a Tourist ACR Card after 59 days.

Be a little careful with LTOs in provincial towns. You have an excellent opportunity to pay long nose tax.

Oh, come to think of it, just be careful with LTO's.

Hey! Don't discriminate against LTOs! Be an equal-opportunity discriminator and take care when dealing with all bureaucrats!

long nose tax whats that Methers

Yes, you'll need both extensions and the ECC - the ECC is required if you stay exactly six months (to the day) or longer. You'll also have to apply for a Tourist ACR Card after 59 days.
So if i stay a week less than six months i do not need the ECC?
So if we marry when i am there i get no benefits. So how do those who marry phill girl and live there go on

The actual period is 6 x 29 days which is about a week less than six months but BI might be generous and not require you to have it.

You're seen as being a rich westerner, why should the far poorer Filipinos cut you any breaks?! They don't and don't even give you the protection of the Bill of Rights, which is part of the country's Constitution. You have no more than three "rights and privileges":

• The right and privilege to marry a Filipna - although that's probably going to get a whole lot harder before too long
• The right and privilege to spend your foreign currency, preferably in copious amounts
• The right and privilege to board a flight out of the country but only once you've paid all your due to the government and you're not a wanted man

Those who've visited and spent time here might think my words are a little harsh but the reality is there.

A higher price for any goods or services supplied, simply because you are a foreigner.

It is applied universally; everybody does it and they see nothing wrong in it - on the contrary, it is not only their right, but their patriotic duty, to overcharge you, because you must be ripping off Filipinos somehow - why else would you be in the country?

By way of example I know a man who was charged 6,000 pesos to renew his driving licence by the Quezon City LTO.

I travelled from Cebu to Moalboal which is a 2 hour journey by car/van, cost, 200 pesos. I got chatting to a Brit whilst off-gassing between dives. He paid 6k for the same journey! So an element of experience/inexperience can sometimes make the long nose tax deviate.

so let the girlfriend or wife deal with everything so us westerners dont get ripped off . if i need any thing for house let her do it and just stay away so they do not see me, or will everyone know she has western boyfriend .
What about westerners who live there do they still need six months visa twice a year how dose it work for them

That's a tactic which works, for a while, in major towns and cities but out in more rural areas, your arrival will quickly be noted.

Many do live here, year in and year out, on tourist extensions and every year they leave the country for a day or two before returning and starting their next stint. Others live here on either retirement visas (SRRV) or settlement visas (13a) by virtue of marriage. But as you won't be living full time in the Philippines, neither would be applicable to you.

A fool and his money are soon parted

Why would your friend give them 6K?

He probably used a fixer. So yes, a fool and his money ....

Yes, he used a fixer, because he had better things to do than wait in line for a day and a half.

As an example of a provincial LTO, my sister in law wanted to register her brother's scooter in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; the LTO officer took the money and trousered it, then refused to produce the licence. After three months the LTO confiscated the scooter for being unregistered. She is a Fil-Am balikbayan, so its an equal opportunity tax.

Perhaps 20 years ago it took a day and half to get a license. Nowadays the whole process takes no longer than 3 hours max.