UK Driver in the Philippines

[James Hubbard]

PS Pinoys seem to be experts at noticing a metizo though even the most darken window day or night i have found.

I've noticed

[JimOttley]

wow, 500 peso bribe? that's a huge bribe jim, lol......the normal rate there is 100 pesos and this crocodiles are so happy for that amount already, lol

That was between them Sophie, two cops and it was Manila, the chap I referred to pretty much confirmed that 500 peso was a safe bet for a westerner. Better to err on the high side than to upset them.

I would agree with Tawi's story about the drink driving I've been told about that too.

Other advice was don't carry your UK licence on you because they will try to confiscate it.

Jim

[Fitzy]

I thik I'll stick to the Taxis, and Jeepneys.
Masochist I am not
Glad I started the post
I will pop to Terminal 2 at work tomorrow, and apply for one, just for the sake of having it should i need it, lol


Interesting, tho somewhat scary comments, hehehehehehh
Think I'll let someone else drive me

BTW


I fly to Ozamiz City end November via Cebu.
Emma, and our family as she puts it have been so very excellent, and kind.
I finally think i got it right at last :-)

[bornatbirth]

i have driven a few times when in manila and down to tagaytay,to be honest they drive so slow its easy.

i only used my uk license but next time i will get a international one and as a whitey driving,i think they have a cash sign above your head or they have very good eye sight

[somebody]

I thik I'll stick to the Taxis, and Jeepneys.
Masochist I am not
Glad I started the post
I will pop to Terminal 2 at work tomorrow, and apply for one, just for the sake of having it should i need it, lol


Interesting, tho somewhat scary comments, hehehehehehh
Think I'll let someone else drive me

BTW


I fly to Ozamiz City end November via Cebu.
Emma, and our family as she puts it have been so very excellent, and kind.
I finally think i got it right at last :-)

Im guessing every area different but the Wifes Area back in Phill is a large town 2 hours or so away from manila often instead of taking one of the families cars or vans(people carrier to me and you) We hire a Driver and car. Nice new car with a good driver who if from the local town Emma would probably know somehow, if its like my Wifes area.

Why is this handy well when you need a car he turns up otherwise he goes and parks up if you need to be dropped off a particular location. Often we bring the Driver along with us and most are happy to act as a second pair of eyes (ie security) for a free dinner and snacks plus the change from the petrol money.

[JimOttley]

Im guessing every area different but the Wifes Area back in Phill is a large town 2 hours or so away from manila often instead of taking one of the families cars or vans(people carrier to me and you) We hire a Driver and car. Nice new car with a good driver who if from the local town Emma would probably know somehow, if its like my Wifes area.

Why is this handy well when you need a car he turns up otherwise he goes and parks up if you need to be dropped off a particular location. Often we bring the Driver along with us and most are happy to act as a second pair of eyes (ie security) for a free dinner and snacks plus the change from the petrol money.

That's a very good point!


Jim

[bornatbirth]

may i add after a few days driving my wife and mother inlaw around,i started picking up bad habits and told them "the good news is im used to driving in the philipines","the bad news my driving is lousy"

[Fitzy]

Im guessing every area different but the Wifes Area back in Phill is a large town 2 hours or so away from manila often instead of taking one of the families cars or vans(people carrier to me and you) We hire a Driver and car. Nice new car with a good driver who if from the local town Emma would probably know somehow, if its like my Wifes area.

Why is this handy well when you need a car he turns up otherwise he goes and parks up if you need to be dropped off a particular location. Often we bring the Driver along with us and most are happy to act as a second pair of eyes (ie security) for a free dinner and snacks plus the change from the petrol money.

Thank you, I will ask Emma, and am sure you are right.
On previous visits with my ex, we did exactly that, and invited the driver for dinner, and he was happy, and friendly.

This is the way forward I reckon, and at least I can enjoy a drink or 3

[Sophie]

That was between them Sophie, two cops and it was Manila, the chap I referred to pretty much confirmed that 500 peso was a safe bet for a westerner. Better to err on the high side than to upset them.
Jim

Yeah, i agree with you jim, for a westerner - always over priced, very typical of pinas, sad to say.....

[JimOttley]

i have driven a few times when in manila and down to tagaytay,to be honest they drive so slow its easy.

If they drove any faster they would destroy their suspension


Jim

[Sophie]

If they drove any faster they would destroy their suspension


Jim

and also, you cannot drive fast enough there due to traffic which is common in the metro specially, lol

[somebody]

If they drove any faster they would destroy their suspension


Jim

Or spill there Drink or snacks as they drive

[JimOttley]

and also, you cannot drive fast enough there due to traffic which is common in the metro specially, lol

Yeah that's the main reason Sophie I agree

Actually lack of suspension is not an excuse to put a car off the road in Manila it's only a minor inconvenience to your passengers if your a taxi


Jim

[somebody]

I want one of those bamboo trcycles

[bornatbirth]

i always wanted a fully modded jeepney like pimp my ride

oh also a really beaten jeepey so i could scrape the sides of many cars and 4x4s

[JimOttley]

i always wanted a fully modded jeepney like pimp my ride

oh also a really beaten jeepey so i could scrape the sides of many cars and 4x4s

Those things are just steel, they wouldn't even notice the hit

I fancy that too!


Jim

[Kalboaso]

So does anybody have a contact they use for a regular driver that they use when in Manila? I normally use public transport/jeeps/Santrans etc but I am usually accompanied by my wife or in laws. This time I am going to surprise them and just appear there. I would like a private driver rather than a taxi. Oh and I'm going to Sapang Palay, Bulacan....

[scott&ligaya]

try Avalon car/driver hire just google avalon car hire Manila. Used them several times, always efficient and cars/vans ok, best to get 2/3 year old model as you worry less about getting damaged. They will ask to keep something like passort copy or driving lisence, just make sure it is an unusable copy, you can never be sure in the Phils.

Most expats I know in Palawan tend to have relatively beat up pick ups/ or troopers/pajero type mainly to avoid drawing attention (flash the cash) and again if you bump something no big deal, and you can joust with the multicabs, jeepneys, trikes etc along with everyone else. helps if your wife is from the same town as the city police chief as well!!! and he likes 18 year old Macallan.. Our Pajero is a 95yr with wrapa round nudge bars front and rear as well as light guards. Score so far is three dead dogs, one trike bent and few near misses with multi cabs.

As others have said best take a driver at least 1st couple of times and see how it goes. On holiday it can be nice being driven around.

[Kalboaso]

Cheers mucker just what I'm looking for...

[lizaphil]

Hi.

I have a full UK driving license for the UK and am thinking of hiring a car in the phils.
Do I need a different License to drive there please, like an EU one???


Many thanks....

your fine same as my hubby he is using also to hired car in the phil?
so no worries

[Fitzy]

Cheers mucker just what I'm looking for...

Me too, thanks, will do just that

[johncar54]

Why not call a rental company in Phil and ask them ?

I just found this number on the web:-

Avis Car +63 2 718 4064

[Kalboaso]

try Avalon car/driver hire just google avalon car hire Manila. Used them several times, always efficient and cars/vans ok, best to get 2/3 year old model as you worry less about getting damaged. They will ask to keep something like passort copy or driving lisence, just make sure it is an unusable copy, you can never be sure in the Phils.

Most expats I know in Palawan tend to have relatively beat up pick ups/ or troopers/pajero type mainly to avoid drawing attention (flash the cash) and again if you bump something no big deal, and you can joust with the multicabs, jeepneys, trikes etc along with everyone else. helps if your wife is from the same town as the city police chief as well!!! and he likes 18 year old Macallan.. Our Pajero is a 95yr with wrapa round nudge bars front and rear as well as light guards. Score so far is three dead dogs, one trike bent and few near misses with multi cabs.

As others have said best take a driver at least 1st couple of times and see how it goes. On holiday it can be nice being driven around.

I called Avalon a couple of days back and booked a car with driver for 8 hours for a price of 2000php, plus fuel, drivers food and any tolls/parking etc. Ok I thought. This morning I received an email from stating it will now be 3500php plus any expenses What are they like!!! I'm sure they just changed the price after they seen my contact details and seen I'm a tourist. There original prices are what's quoted on their website!!!

The search continues...............

[johncar54]

I just sent this message to Avalon:-

I am a subscriber to a web site for Filipinos and foreigners, There are several thousand subscribers. I think you ought to look at the web page. Someone recommended you, a person booked and then you increased the charge. I think at first you would have found a lot of potential customers, now you will have lost a lot, unless you maybe find you have made an error.

The web site is:- http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....791#post187791

[somebody]

I called Avalon a couple of days back and booked a car with driver for 8 hours for a price of 2000php, plus fuel, drivers food and any tolls/parking etc. Ok I thought. This morning I received an email from stating it will now be 3500php plus any expenses What are they like!!! I'm sure they just changed the price after they seen my contact details and seen I'm a tourist. There original prices are what's quoted on their website!!!

The search continues...............

Sounds like they adding kano tax possibly they also offering a better car and possibly a driver who can speak English?

Always get a local if possible to book its the same even with a international chain hotel get a local speaker to book in a phill name.

[Kalboaso]

I received another email from Avalon this morning after I asked them explain why the sudden change of fee. Apparently it is because I asked for the hire to start in the early evening so this is applicable to an extra 1500php!!! As if the driver will be getting a slice of that...
Anyway I've decided to get the Santrans bus from Sta Cruz up to Sapang Palay instead, it's a nice roller coaster of a ride so should get there in one piece 75php who's laughing now Avalon???

[sheldon1]

i live in negros oriental (60 miles from dumaguete) and about 8 hour drive from cebu city.

hello james, i was just reading that you live in negros. My wife is from there. At the moment we are living in angeles city, but my wife wants to move back to negros. She suggested moving to dumaguete maybe renting a small business. We have kids ready to start school soon.i was just wondfering what your opinions are of the place? Could you recommend it? I have never been there.
Stuart

[Tawi2]

Dumaguete is excellent,great for kids as your always close to a beach,good department store super-lees(first time I ever went there it was simply called lee-plaza)I cant speak highly enough of Dumaguete,I was there earlier this year and always make a point of stopping there on a trip