Driving In The Philippines - Do Not Forget Your IDP

[KeithD]

If you hold a UK driving license and wish to drive in the Philippines, then it is the law that you hold a International Driving Permit, along with a valid driving license. This applies to driving in most countries abroad.

These IDP's are valid for one year, and you can have them pre-dated. They cost just £5.50 at post offices that deal with them which to be honest, is not really that many. You also need a recent passport picture, so that's another fiver.

For those who are lazy like me, you can use the AA site, and do it by post. They only want photocopies of the original required documents, and the charge is just the £5.50 + £3 admin, so not bad.

Apply well in advance of leaving on your holiday or fiancée meeting.

[Michael Parnham]

If you hold a UK driving license and wish to drive in the Philippines, then it is the law that you hold a International Driving Permit, along with a valid driving license. This applies to driving in most countries abroad.

These IDP's are valid for one year, and you can have them pre-dated. They cost just £5.50 at post offices that deal with them which to be honest, is not really that many. You also need a recent passport picture, so that's another fiver.

For those who are lazy like me, you can use the AA site, and do it by post. They only want photocopies of the original required documents, and the charge is just the £5.50 + £3 admin, so not bad.

Apply well in advance of leaving on your holiday or fiancée meeting.

Gosh, I just used my normal driving licence for almost two years!

[SimonH]

Gosh, I just used my normal driving licence for almost two years!

Same here when I hired a car last December

[stevewool]

I used a chauffeur or just cadge a lift

[jonnijon]

Depends where you are in the Philippines. The law says you can use your UK licence for 90 days, but every mayor has their own interpretation so you never know.

[tiger31]

Never been stopped yet but I,ll just tell tell them I,ve just landed lol

[KeithD]

Depends where you are in the Philippines. The law says you can use your UK licence for 90 days, but every mayor has their own interpretation so you never know.

It's international law, not dependent on some local major who thinks he runs the world.

Never been stopped yet but I,ll just tell tell them I,ve just landed lol

Why risk being caught for the sake of £8.50? If you are in an accident when driving it would invalidate the insurance, both vehicle and travel.

[SimonH]

I was under the impression that you were allowed to drive in the Philippines for up to 3 months with your normal driving licence

http://www.philippineconsulate.com.a...ilippines.html

[KeithD]

I was under the impression that you were allowed to drive in the Philippines for up to 3 months with your normal driving licence

http://www.philippineconsulate.com.a...ilippines.html

The AA recommends it is always best to have one, and just for the sake of a few quid, I wouldn't go without. I always say it is best to put things in place prior to going to a foreign country, as it means less that can go wrong. I know that you can't legally hire a care in the Phil without one.

[SimonH]

The AA recommends it is always best to have one, and just for the sake of a few quid, I wouldn't go without. I always say it is best to put things in place prior to going to a foreign country, as it means less that can go wrong. I know that you can't legally hire a care in the Phil without one.

Didn't have any problems with Avis when I hired a car for a month

[KeithD]

Didn't have any problems with Avis when I hired a car for a month

The insurance cover would not have been valid though. If you had to claim the insurance company would deny it if you don't have an IDP. IF you are responsible for an accident, then being a foreigner unable to pay would get you in jail. At least you would save £8.50 though

[SimonH]

The insurance cover would not have been valid though. If you had to claim the insurance company would deny it if you don't have an IDP. IF you are responsible for an accident, then being a foreigner unable to pay would get you in jail. At least you would save £8.50 though

Really

I hire a car, they give me the keys, I sign all their paperwork, I keep copies including the CDW premium I've paid, and you're trying to tell me I'm not insured

I'd love to see a link to that Keith, similar to the one from the Philippines consulate that I posted saying that I didn't need an IDP

[SimonH]

Come to think of it, why wasn't I arrested when I was stopped and produced my British driving licence, and no I didn't offer or give a bribe

[KeithD]

It is your responsibility to carry the correct documentation. You can drive a car for 90 days, but not a hire car. Even then you need to check the insurance cover to verify you are covered. Without an IDP for a car hire, the UK driving license will not be valid, and therefore no insurance cover.

Philippines is A & I - http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...try.html#notes

It is westerners who thought that they know better now sitting in Asian jails

[SimonH]

We'll have to agree to differ

The second largest car hire company in the world were perfectly happy to rent me a car for a month.

The Philippine consulate says I can drive a car in the Philippines on my British driving license.

The AA says I need an IDP (the same company that I can buy one from)

[KeithD]

IDP is a legal requirement in the Philippines. It is the Philippines which pass on the required driving details to the UK government, who then gives it to the Post Office, AA, etc.

The car hire company are not responsible for you having incorrect paperwork, YOU ARE. Your license could be a fake, they are not responsible if it is, the person with it is.

That I would think is VERY CLEAR INFORMATION.

Yes you can drive for 90 days in someone else's car as long as the insurance terms allow it. Yes you can probably hire a care without one. However, you are still responsible for having one.

http://www.rac.co.uk/travel/driving-...ed-an-idp.aspx
https://www.car-hire-centre.co.uk/in...ng-permit.html
http://www.driverabroad.com/self-dri...riving-permit/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna...Driving_Permit
http://www.driveaway.com.au/internat...driving-permit
http://www.worldlawdirect.com/articl...s-license.html
http://www.europcar.com/EBE/module/r...riving-permits

[SimonH]

Not quite what your original post says then Keith

If you hold a UK driving license and wish to drive in the Philippines, then it is the law that you hold a International Driving Permit, along with a valid driving license.

[KeithD]

Not quite what your original post says then Keith

Yes it is.

International Law states you need one. Stop digging a hole when you are so obviously wrong. If you want to risk a problem, that is your choice. This forum is here to help people to avoid as many issues as possible.

[jonnijon]

It's international law, not dependent on some local major who thinks he runs the world.
But this is the Philippines its more fun here

[fred]

My IDL looks very similar to a 50 Peso note.

[Terpe]

Sorry for the off-topic, but I can't resist it. I have to say that the driving standards, road sense, awareness and manners here in the Philippines are the most appalling I've experienced anywhere in the known world.
Shocking.

No wonder there are so many oversized SUV's with blacked out windows.

How on earth these people ever qualified for a licence is beyond belief.

Rant over

[Michael Parnham]

Sorry for the off-topic, but I can't resist it. I have to say that the driving standards, road sense, awareness and manners here in the Philippines are the most appalling I've experienced anywhere in the known world.
Shocking.

No wonder there are so many oversized SUV's with blacked out windows.

How on earth these people ever qualified for a licence is beyond belief.

Rant over

They don't qualify Peter!

[jake]

Sorry for the off-topic, but I can't resist it. I have to say that the driving standards, road sense, awareness and manners here in the Philippines are the most appalling I've experienced anywhere in the known world.
Shocking.

No wonder there are so many oversized SUV's with blacked out windows.

How on earth these people ever qualified for a licence is beyond belief.

Rant over

Obviously this only happens outside the Davao city limits?

[Trefor]

Sorry for the off-topic, but I can't resist it. I have to say that the driving standards, road sense, awareness and manners here in the Philippines are the most appalling I've experienced anywhere in the known world.
Shocking.

No wonder there are so many oversized SUV's with blacked out windows.

How on earth these people ever qualified for a licence is beyond belief.

Rant over

They didn't qualify ...

[jake]

I used to hold a British driving license, however renewing it as a non UK resident is against the law
So, when i hire a car in the UK or any other country i have to use my Philippine license. Usually ends up with me having to send them a copy of the DVLA rules.
Seems daft that the country where i sat my test and still hold citizenship, will no longer issue me a license unless i am resident.

Read this the other day about the new rules regarding driving licenses in the UK. Looks like it will be fun if you plan to hire a car this summer.

http://www.theguardian.com/money/201...rless-car-hire

[Trefor]

I used to hold a British driving license, however renewing it as a non UK resident is against the law
So, when i hire a car in the UK or any other country i have to use my Philippine license. Usually ends up with me having to send them a copy of the DVLA rules.
Seems daft that the country where i sat my test and still hold citizenship, will no longer issue me a license unless i am resident.

Read this the other day about the new rules regarding driving licenses in the UK. Looks like it will be fun if you plan to hire a car this summer.

http://www.theguardian.com/money/201...rless-car-hire

Rubbish alarmism. We rented in Spain at Christmas, not needed. I have never ever needed my paper counterpart outside the UK. It has sat in my laptop bag 'just in case' and never sees the light of day.

[Trefor]

I'm with SimonH on this. I rent and drive cars all over the world. The UK licence is an International Driving Permit. The AA is the last institution I'd trust.

I've had a few 'situations' around the world where the local Police would have said if there was an issue (hiding from a Police chase in a cornfield after smoking past their speed trap in Hawaii my most memorable, closely followed by TVRing at 90mph past a Gendarme who was trying to stop me).

P.S. I promise I'm actually a safe driver.

[KeithD]

The UK licence is an International Driving Permit. The AA is the last institution I'd trust.

Not under International Law it isn't. That has been made very clear.

Why do people seem to think they know better than the law when it comes to travelling abroad? Many other who thought the same way have spent time in foreign jails, all for the sake of about a fiver!

As for the AA, that has nothing to do with the IDP, other than they are just one of thousands of outlets around the world they can be bought.

[Trefor]

Not under International Law it isn't. That has been made very clear.

Why do people seem to think they know better than the law when it comes to travelling abroad? Many other who thought the same way have spent time in foreign jails, all for the sake of about a fiver!

As for the AA, that has nothing to do with the IDP, other than they are just one of thousands of outlets around the world they can be bought.

I see your point about the actual law, but the UK licence is accepted as is. Do you know of anyone who has ever had an issue?

[KeithD]

I see your point about the actual law, but the UK licence is accepted as is. Do you know of anyone who has ever had an issue?

I have never known anyone I know to commit murder, but that is also against the law, so your point is meaningless.