I have a British Driving license, how long will it take for a me to get a Filipino one, and how much will it cost? Do i have to be in the Philippines to get one?
It was very easy before to simply convert a foreign driving licence to a Filipino one. I think its still possible but not if you are here on a tourist visa I believe. I may be wrong but I think they changed the rules a couple of years ago. In any case you would need to apply directly in any LTO office in the Philippines.
From memory seem to remember that gave to have visa for more than a year and yes definitely have to be in Philippines to do it. Think process was to go down to LTO with proof of residency and ACR card, fo medical test including eye sight assessment and then do paperwork and walk out with license. Didn't do myself as never in country long enough to get ACR and longest visa I had was a balikbayan one for a year.
The reason that I am thinking about this is that I am living in Spain and cannot change my UK license for a Spanish one, and if I had a Filipino driving license I could easily get a Spanish one. My wife wants me to go to the Philippines for a holiday and meet her parents for the first time - 'so I could kill two birds with a stone' ......
You dont need a Filipino driving licence for a short visit as your British licence is good here for 90 days. Dont work hard.Work smart.
Good news! The LTO or Land Transportation Office just launched an online portal where you can apply for a student permit or driver's license through their website. You can quickly apply for a Philippine Driver's License Online and renew it in the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).14 Jun 2020
I have already enrolled for this when I renewed my drivers licence. you still have to take a test and to take a medical and have a permanent visa or similar.
Thanks I know it's possible to buy one. A figure such as php 18000 has been mentioned and I have to be in the country to get one, and it takes a month.
Many things in Philippines can be obtained using a fixer although no guarantee that it will be legit. At 18000 sounds like an expensive fixer to do it. The process can be done in a day if get to LTO very early - get medical, join the queue and then wait for details to be recorded and printed. Doing legitimately means need to meet the long term visa requirement and that is only question over balikbayan visa as it is for a year but requirement is talked about being a year from applying for license. Suspect if doing legitimately and ok on visa requirement can do in a day at LTO if arrive early. Wife got license in a day although had to come back separately to get the card as that was back in days of card shortage and got paper receipt after passing test until cards became available.
The interesting point has to be if you got a Philippines licence on the strength of your UK licence as suggested in my link above how if you needed to revert to UK or European licence what is the process!
Thank you for all your comments here - I have just found out that they will not recognise it in Spain unless the driver has had it 14 years.
1. Qualifications: Who can apply for a student permit? According to the latest LTO Citizen’s CharterLand Transportation Office (LTO) Citizen’s Charter. (2019). [Ebook] (3rd ed.). you can apply for a student permit as long as you meet the following qualifications: You must be a Filipino citizen, 16 years old and above. If a foreigner, you must be at least 18 years old, have been staying in the Philippines for at least 1 month, and has proof of stay for at least 6 months. LTO Driver's License Requirements and Application 2022 (filipiknow.net)
Foreigners who hold a driver’s license from their country of origin are allowed to drive in the Philippines for 90 days after their arrival. After 90 days, they have to convert their foreign driver’s license to a Philippine driver’s license if they want to continue driving in this country. 1. Qualifications You must be at least eighteen (18) years old. You must be physically and mentally able to operate a motor vehicle. You must be able to read and write English or Filipino. You must have been residing in the Philippines for at least one (1) month and will stay in the country for at least one (1) year from the date of application. How To Convert a Foreign Driver’s License to a Philippine Driver’s License – FilipiKnow
