Living in Cebu

In early 2006 I will be moving to Cebu, Philippines with the entire family.

Philippine
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Obtaining a Philippines driving license

I have been researching drivers licenses in the Philippines.

The first thing I have learnt is that International Licenses are a waste of time. Some say they are not recognised and others say they are only valid for 90 days and not the year they are meant to be.

The concensious is that if you intend to drive for any period of time in the Philippines you should obtain a local licence.

To obtain a drivers licenses you will have to undergo

Drug test - They check for hashisj/mariuana and opium
Physical examination - consists of a blood Pressuer test
Writtent Test - easy and they will even help you with the answers according to one report)\
Driving Test - apparently not according to what I have read from others that have I have got their Philippines license

THey will want to see your foreign license, passport and local Police clearence.

The total cost for obtaining your Philippines License:

Application Fee: 25.00
Conversion Fee: 30.00
License Fee: 180.00
Comp Fee: 52.80

Official Cost for : 287.80 Pesos

What the above does not include is the cost and process of obtaining the Police clearnce and other misilanious expensis including paying for the process to be be expidited (well worth it) making the real cost close to 1000.00 Pesos.

To get the Police clearnce you will first need:
Sidola (Community tax certificate) 5 min. 15.00 pesos
Barangay clearence - this can take a couple of days locating the required people 20.00 Pesos
Doc/form from the municipality 5 min. 65.00 pesos

Doctors exameine = 5min. + 50.00 Pesos
Drug test= 15minutes + 250.00 Pesos
2 photo 2x2"

I read from one person that they paid 650 Pesos to the LTO office for the fast track service.

Bring these to the police and they will issue a clearnce basically saying NO CRIMINAL RECORD.

Only the major offices can issue the plastic type cards on the spot. If you go to one of the smaller offices you will be issued with a temporty paper licence and the you can expect to wait 6 to 8 months for the plastic license to be issues.

The license is Valid for just over 2 years and will expire on your birthdate. This is because the license validity is set exactly two years from you next birthday. So if you applied for a license the day before your birthday you will get 2 years and one day but wait for the day after your birthday and you will get 2 years plus 264 days which is almost 3 years. Strange but true.

Posted: Wednesday 15th June 2005, 5:24 AM


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