Driving a motorvehicle in PH

female_expat Contributor

Member since 09 February 2011

female_expatContributor11 March 2011 04:37:06

198

Soon I'll be in PH. I'd like to see places on weekends and I'd prefer not to rely with a taxi driver.

I have never driven any other places except UK, Australia and USA. My question is, can I apply for a local driver's license?

How was driving around Manila on weekdays and weekends ? If you'd like to beat the traffic, at what time do you start leaving your place from Makati going north and south?

Any tips about driving locally is greatly appreciated And I'll buy you San Miguel beer *wink*

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dhnindc Serial expat

Member since 06 September 2010

dhnindcSerial expat11 March 2011 05:40:22

583

Hi female expat.聽

Driving locally on weekends should not be a problem I just picked up my small ute and thought I would give driving a go. So far, no big deal. I go up the EDSA and back on C5. Just becareful when passing the big busses and Jeepneys, they tend to swerve around a bit.

I live in Fort B and work in Ortigas. If I leave befor 7:30, it will take me about 20 minutes on Edsa. When I leave the office around 6:30, it will be closer to 45 minutes on C5. Also, I have lived/driven in LA, Tokyo and Singapore, and Manila is the worst. But keep your patience and wits and its not so bad. I even have a motorcycle, but that will be limited to weekends only.

Applying for a local DL is required as you may (will) get into an accident or be stopped in one of the roadblocks (shakedowns) and its a necessity. Never hand over your DL as they will confiscate it and send it to the station for you to pick up. If you work for a big MNC, they can take care of it. Or go to the LTO and spend a day. If you have a US DL, will just be a straight conversion. I think there is a sticky on how to convert your DL.

I do want to get out of Manila at some point so if anyone wants to go for a daytrip, I can supply the ride.

Don