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Driving in the Philippines /
Ilocos Sur
Valid driver’s licenses in the Philippines
Replacing expired/lost/stolen U.S. driver’s
license
International driver’s license
Insurance
Documentation of Motor Vehicles
Philippine specifications
Driving and safety conditions in the
Philippines
Accidents and traffic stops
What to do in the event of an
accident
Valid driver’s licenses in the Philippines
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.
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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.
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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).
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Insurance
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.
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Documentation of Motor Vehicles
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
1. Locally Assembled/Rebuilt Vehicle
▪ 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 light private vehicles 1-5 years old, the
registration fee is currently P1000. For vehicles over 5 years
old, the fee is currently P700.
For more detailed information about
registration of motor vehicles, contact your local LTO.
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Philippine specifications
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.
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Driving and safety conditions in the
Philippines
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.
Accidents and traffic stops
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.
Reference:
http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwha018.html
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