Car Insurance

[scottishbride]

Hubby just bought me a car!! We were so happy until we found out I cannot drive because no car insurance company will accept Filipino drivers license! Sad but true... Hubby add me as additional driver to his car insurance but the insurance company said they don't accept Filipino driver's license. Any idea guys?

[maria_and_matt]

Huuby just bought me a car!! We were so happy until we found out I cannot drive because no car insurance company will accept Filipino drivers license! Sad but true... Hubby add me as additional driver to his car insurance but the insurance company said they don't accept Filipino driver's license. Any idea guys?

book some lessons and take a test here

[joebloggs]

how long have you been in the uk ? you should have changed it to an international one while you were in the phils, so you could drive in the uk for the first yr you was here..

pass your driving test, thats going to take some time thou

[somebody]

Huuby just bought me a car!! We were so happy until we found out I cannot drive because no car insurance company will accept Filipino drivers license! Sad but true... Hubby add me as additional driver to his car insurance but the insurance company said they don't accept Filipino driver's license. Any idea guys?

Hav you exchanged for an international driver liscense you can use for a year from you arriving in the uk then you need to pass a UK or another countries driving test which the uk recgonise..

[scottishbride]

how long have you been in the uk ? you should have changed it to an international one while you were in the phils, so you could drive in the uk for the first yr you was here..

pass your driving test, thats going to take some time thou

I arrived last 18 December 2009, I did not exchange my Filipino license to international one because I read it from Phil Embassy website that my license is valid, am allowed to drive here for one year ( even it's not international ). I also got Dubai license but no idea if they will accept it.

[South-east boy]

Apply for a provisional license straight away (this will allow you to drive, but you will need to have 'L' plates on the car and be accompanied by someone with a full UK driving license), get a book (highway code? -not taken the new written type test, so I don't know what exactly you need to learn) and book some lessons with an instructor and ask them what they think of your driving and if they think that you are ready for a test. As soon as they say you are ready, then apply for a driving test and book the written exam.

[estherboaz]

Apply for a provisional license straight away (this will allow you to drive, but you will need to have 'L' plates on the car and be accompanied by someone with a full UK driving license), get a book (highway code? -not taken the new written type test, so I don't know what exactly you need to learn) and book some lessons with an instructor and ask them what they think and if they think that you are ready for a test. As soon as they say you are ready, then apply for a driving test and book the written exam.

i agree.

[darren-b]

Hubby just bought me a car!! We were so happy until we found out I cannot drive because no car insurance company will accept Filipino drivers license! Sad but true... Hubby add me as additional driver to his car insurance but the insurance company said they don't accept Filipino driver's license. Any idea guys?

Which insurance companies have you tried? As it is definately possible for you to get insurance, though it may not be cheap. Might be worth seeing if if helps using your Dubai license.

BTW there is no such thing as an international driver license, there is only an international driver permit (IDP) which is a translation of your driving license. The UK does not insist that you get an IDP to drive here.

[johncar54]

you should have changed it to an international one while you were in the Phils, so you could drive in the UK for the first yr you was here..

A 'so called' International Driving Licence is no such thing.

It is a translation of the driving licence which you have. If you drive in a country which requires you to have an IDL then you MUST carry (produce) your national DL as well.

[Pete67]

Hubby just bought me a car!! We were so happy until we found out I cannot drive because no car insurance company will accept Filipino drivers license! Sad but true... Hubby add me as additional driver to his car insurance but the insurance company said they don't accept Filipino driver's license. Any idea guys?

Did you approach an insurance broker? Really good one in Worthing (south coast England) called Graham Edwards, they might be able to advise, I'll look up their phone number if you want, you wouldn't have to visit them in person...

[KeithD]

Did you approach an insurance broker? Really good one in Worthing (south coast England) called Graham Edwards, they might be able to advise, I'll look up their phone number if you want, you wouldn't have to visit them in person...

They charge a fortune for non-standard policies.

http://filipinaroses.com/archive/index.php/t-20182.html

http://www.filipinouk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=162347

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/COMM...nse-20580.aspx

[darren-b]

I just had a quick play with a website that does insurance quotes for holders of non-EU driving licenses and the quotes back were high but not as bad as I was expecting.

[scottishbride]

I just had a quick play with a website that does insurance quotes for holders of non-EU driving licenses and the quotes back were high but not as bad as I was expecting.

Hi Darren can I get the insurance name? I hope you don't mind.. I am really frustrated...

[KeithD]

Hi Darren can I get the insurance name? I hope you don't mind.. I am really frustrated...

It's not just insurance you need, you have to have an IDP as well to make it legal.

[darren-b]

Hi Darren can I get the insurance name? I hope you don't mind.. I am really frustrated...

I just did a quick google and found a website called www.superquote.com though I've never used them to buy insurance so can't recommend them myself.

Other direct insurers like churchill and direct line seem to suggest if you phone up they should be able to provide cover.

[darren-b]

It's not just insurance you need, you have to have an IDP as well to make it legal.

I've looked into this before and never found it stated that an IDP was mandatory, especially if the foreign license is in English. Happy though to be pointed to official websites that state otherwise....

Certain insurance companies may want you to provide an IDP but that's their conditions and nothing to do with being able to legally drive in the UK.

[KeithD]

Some sites it says it is required, others not!!!

This is a government site so print a copy off. You can always show the police it if you get pulled!! http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/Mo...%A0+Next%C2%A0+

Nothing on the DVLA site

You will have to pass your UK test within 12 months if you wish to continue to drive here.

[darren-b]

Some sites it says it is required, others not!!!

This is a government site so print a copy off. You can always show the police it if you get pulled!! http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/Mo...%A0+Next%C2%A0+

Nothing on the DVLA site

You will have to pass your UK test within 12 months if you wish to continue to drive here.

And that's from when you first arrive here, not from when you first start driving in the UK.

[joebloggs]

BTW there is no such thing as an international driver license, there is only an international driver permit (IDP) which is a translation of your driving license. The UK does not insist that you get an IDP to drive here.

sorry i keep using IDL, i did mean IDP, i think because i keep remembering it from the scams it was used in

Some sites it says it is required, others not!!!

This is a government site so print a copy off. You can always show the police it if you get pulled!! http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/Mo...%A0+Next%C2%A0+

Nothing on the DVLA site

You will have to pass your UK test within 12 months if you wish to continue to drive here.

not sure if you need a IDP for the UK, but there is a good reason to get one, if your stopped by the police, good chance they will not know what a driving license from the philippines looks like, but they probably would know what a IDP looks like, as it's an internationally recognized form of identification, carrying your name, photo and driver information.

and if you are stopped, they will probably want to see your passport and see when you first entered the UK.

also http://www.aaphilippines.org/news_view.aspx?newsID=34#3
and it only cost 300php

[somebody]

sorry i keep using IDL, i did mean IDP, i think because i keep remembering it from the scams it was used in





not sure if you need a IDP for the UK, but there is a good reason to get one, if your stopped by the police, good chance they will not know what a driving license from the philippines looks like, but An IDP is an internationally recognized form of identification, carrying your name, photo and driver information.

and if you are stopped, they will probably want to see your passport and see when you first entered the UK.

also http://www.aaphilippines.org/news_view.aspx?newsID=34#3
and it only cost 300php

Spot on all well and good us confident most likely white middle class male Brits saying just tell the big 6 feet Policeman on a cold dark night its ok to use, but a different matter when someone who may not feel as confident in telling the Police their rights.

Many non British friends all who are law abiding dont have the same faith in police officers (British or otherwise) to treat them well due to what they have grown up with. They certainly would not feel confident enough to start lecturing officers on the driving laws even if they were totally in the right..

Plus if the police officers on the ground thought there was an issue with your right to drive in the UK, im only making an educated guess here you may have your car impounded or having to go back to the police station for further checks to be made in the worse possible case


Another point is nowdays even provisonal driving licenses are not accepted as id for many things including moneygram (even though there website says so) and many pubs/clubs due to "widespread fraud" Sadly I cant see Phill Driving Licenses being given much benefit in mainstream UK companies as they are opoosed to any risk...

[joebloggs]

Another point is nowdays even provisonal driving licenses are not accepted as id for many things including moneygram (even though there website says so) and many pubs/clubs due to "widespread fraud" Sadly I cant see Phill Driving Licenses being given much benefit in mainstream UK companies as they are opoosed to any risk...

I've read somewhere that some people have been asked for their passports when collecting parcels from the PO and not only that they swiped the strip on the back .


well reminds me of 2 Libyan brothers i use to work with, both born in Libya and both had British passports (British mom ) and they had been driving using their Libyan driving license with a IDP in them for more than a yr, and both got stopped by the police over a year or so( i think maybe they didn't have insurance- a cop car can scan 100s of plates in a minute ), told them not to drive any more, as they had been residents in the uk for more than a yr, i don't know if they were prosecuted, and it took them a while to get a uk license.

[adam&chryss]

My wife isn`t a bad driver by Flipino standards but my god i`m glad she cant drive here.
The driving out there is terrible, shocking.
I cant beleive for 1 minute that its a good idea to drive here without having the proper lessons and tests. If not just for your safety but everyone elses too !
It`ll cost you a bit but it`ll be worth it in the long run.

[joebloggs]

My wife isn`t a bad driver by Flipino standards but my god i`m glad she cant drive here.
The driving out there is terrible, shocking.
I cant beleive for 1 minute that its a good idea to drive here without having the proper lessons and tests. If not just for your safety but everyone elses too !
It`ll cost you a bit but it`ll be worth it in the long run.

tell me about it , the misses told me she could drive and the first time she got in the car, she managed to get it stuck against the garden wall

but it took her about 40+ lessons and was it 5 or 7 practical tests to pass but more than 3+ yrs later shes not had a bump or crash

so don't give up or give up on the misses

[Ann07]

tell me about it , the misses told me she could drive and the first time she got in the car, she managed to get it stuck against the garden wall

but it took her about 40+ lessons and was it 5 or 7 practical tests to pass but more than 3+ yrs later shes not had a bump or crash

so don't give up or give up on the misses

I really admire your missus perseverance JOE

Im having my driving lessons too and just passed my theory test so its out of the way and i can concentrate now with my lesson for the practical its a long way to go still i think i will be doing the parallel parking next week wish me luck po lol

[adam&chryss]

tell me about it , the misses told me she could drive and the first time she got in the car, she managed to get it stuck against the garden wall

but it took her about 40+ lessons and was it 5 or 7 practical tests to pass but more than 3+ yrs later shes not had a bump or crash

so don't give up or give up on the misses

I wont give up on her. She can do anything if she puts her mind to it.
Mind you, when she gets a car I hope its a big 4wd with bull-bars all around

[estherboaz]

My wife isn`t a bad driver by Flipino standards but my god i`m glad she cant drive here.
The driving out there is terrible, shocking.
I cant beleive for 1 minute that its a good idea to drive here without having the proper lessons and tests. If not just for your safety but everyone elses too !
It`ll cost you a bit but it`ll be worth it in the long run.

my driving instructor had almost a heart attack when i drove his car.he said i could drive but am not a safe driver.having a proper lesson will help to have a sense of other people or road users.as the saying; "health and safety" is important.

had my driving lesson earlier and my driving instructor had an appointment with his GP afterwards.

[somebody]

my driving instructor had almost a heart attack when i drove his car.he said i could drive but am not a safe driver.having a proper lesson will help to have a sense of other people or road users.as the saying; "health and safety" is important.

had my driving lesson earlier and my driving instructor had an appointment with his GP afterwards.

Im sure your not that bad bt do remeber to drive on the left hand side of the road

[estherboaz]

Im sure your not that bad bt do remeber to drive on the left hand side of the road

sometimes i forget.and sometimes i drive like the jeepney driver in the philippines.thats why sometimes the driving instructor gets mad.

aniwey, im trying my best to abide and remember that this is UK.the polices on the road are very much different to Philippines

[pennybarry]

My Thai friend was just newly arrived in the UK for few months and she was eager to drive and very confident to drive. I joined her onced in her car and I have noticed her for being fast and even I am not a professional driver, I can say, she needs to learn more about driving in the UK.
She had a car crash and suddently died. She used to drive with kid with her but that time her kid was at home. Luckily, her kid survived.

I joined my other thai friend in her car and I have noticed her for being so confident in driving. But during overtaking, she didn't look at her side mirror. Thanks God, I shouted her and told her there's another car on the white lane. We had almost lost our lives that time.
She sold her car now as police caught her for violating some rules and paid penalty.

Since then I am not rushing myself and not too eager to drive. NOT to be too proud to drive.
I told my hubby to sell my car and will drive later.
I am not that brave.

Like what others advise, wait for your license, study the UK Rules, codes and Law.

[IainBusby]

it took her about 40+ lessons and was it 5 or 7 practical tests to pass but more than 3+ yrs later shes not had a bump or crash

My missus passed her test back in May and since then I haven't really been out in her car with her until recently over Christmas so I could have a drink. All I can say is that I was terrified, she's managed to pick up more bad habits and dangerous tecniques in 8 months than most people do in 10 or 20 years of driving. She drives too fast and goes round bends and islands even faster, at least for the weather conditions over the christmas period, she keeps her foot down to the last second when approaching traffic lights or backed up traffick before breaking hard etc etc.

And to think, I used to get annoyed with my ex-partner because she'd been driving for 15 years and she still used to drive like she was taking her driving test.