Thai driving license in Philippines

[Onemore52]

Seriously Dave!

[Onemore52]

Well how long can one drive on an International Drivers licence in the Philippines?

[sanagimo]

2 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

You won't find a 50cc scooter.  Smallest rental you will see is a 100cc and you need a license that clearly states it is good for motorcycles.

Okay thanks

[Youngster]

1 hour ago, Onemore52 said:

Well how long can one drive on an International Drivers licence in the Philippines?

International Driving Permit you get before traveling is good for one year.

[Freebie]

3 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

You won't find a 50cc scooter.  Smallest rental you will see is a 100cc and you need a license that clearly states it is good for motorcycles.

My expereince vastly different... no licence ever seen or requested to rent Honda Click type bikes  in Moalboal, Oslbob, PG, Bantayan, Guimaras , Siquijor, Dmaguete, Biliran etc....not saying anyone should drive WITHOUT a valid licence ( I have one) just stating having rented 100s of bikes in my travels here never been asked for it.

But I always have mp Philippines licence, or a laminated copy of it, which has always sufficed on the odd random police check.

Yes Im aware I should have my  real licence with me at all times.

Had this discussion before and I dont advocate breaking the rules.

[Dave Hounddriver]

4 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

If they are strict, and you do not have the correct paperwork with you, they will confiscate your vehicle on the spot and take it to their impound lot until you can show the correct paperwork and pay the fine.

Just to put that in perspective, I drove around the Philippines for 12 years and only got stopped about a dozen times.  11 of those times I was either all legal or contributed to the policeman's fund.  On the 12th time, in Dumaguete in 2015, I got my motorcycle taken away until I could go home and get my legal driver's license.  So its pretty rare but it does happen.

[Freebie]

23 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

On the 12th time, in Dumaguete in 2015, I got my motorcycle taken away until I could go home and get my legal driver's license.  So its pretty rare but it does happen.

And in Guimaras , the pulis at the roadblock  wouldnt let me go until they had taken a few pics for the ir FB pages to " show their boss". 

Me.. "I hate FB and dont want my pic on it.".

Them.. "Sir we need proof we had a proper roadblock and stopped everyone including foreigners.. Please comply"

Me.. OK then...

 

One thing is for sure, we all have different experiences when riding with bikes, Best to have the licence with you.

 

 

[Colsie]

On 5/31/2022 at 11:20 AM, Freebie said:

And in Guimaras , the pulis at the roadblock  wouldnt let me go until they had taken a few pics for the ir FB pages to " show their boss". 

Me.. "I hate FB and dont want my pic on it.".

Them.. "Sir we need proof we had a proper roadblock and stopped everyone including foreigners.. Please comply"

Me.. OK then...

 

One thing is for sure, we all have different experiences when riding with bikes, Best to have the licence with you.

 

 

Philippines and Thailand are in ASEAN and as such, both countries are supposed to accept each others driving licence.

I used my Thai driving licence here many years ago, no problem. 

I did have a problem with using my Philippine license in Thailand. 

Driving on my Philippine driving licence in Thailand 10 years ago police still had an on the spot fine (or bribe), even though it was law. However, I got stopped along with many European tourist at a road block in Chiang Mia last 2019 and the Thai police said OK no fine for you because ASEAN licence. The European tourist all queued up to pay their fine. 

As a side note, when I came here to the Philippines with my Australian licence I was told I had three months to get a Philippine license. Also, the same rule applied when I moved to Australia with a UK licence, I had to convert my license to Australian licence within 12 weeks, I think. 

Cambodian driving license, just take any license to a travel agent in Phnom Penh, pay a fee and pick up the Cambodian license the next day. 

I know this is an old thread, but hey ho! 

Edited July 13, 2022 by Colsie

[Scooter]

On 5/29/2022 at 4:23 PM, Dave Hounddriver said:

You won't find a 50cc scooter.  Smallest rental you will see is a 100cc and you need a license that clearly states it is good for motorcycles.

This is not correct. I just spent time in manila Cebu Bohol layte Davao and on every island rented a scooter or a car. All scooters actually except on Davao . My California ID does not say motorcycle on it . I had no issues from any company   . This may be just the companies fault and technically it should of. But no one even asked. 

[JJReyes]

On 5/29/2022 at 5:38 PM, Onemore52 said:

Well how long can one drive on an International Drivers licence in the Philippines?

One year from the time of issuance with presentation of your current license.  The same size as the old passport.  Technically, it is not a replacement drivers license.  It is a document written in multiple languages with your picture explaining to law enforcement that you are permitted to drive in your home country.  This document is required in some countries to rent a car or motorbike.  For Americans, the issuer is the local AAA (Association of American Automobiles) office.