Driving in the philippines for Americans

[Heruamen]

        Hello guys i was planning on renting a car while in the phils and i wanted to know do i have to have some kind of special license to drive in the philippines and how would i get that. what steps do i need to take.  Thanks for your help and info.

[Cbear]

hiring a driver is cheaper than renting a car and you don't have to fight the traffic which is awful, especially if you don't speak hornalogy. BEEP BEEP

[Heruamen]

 whats up cbear you got to call me again so we could talk hhehehehehe. I am the kind of person that cant stand depending on others to drive me. I like to drive and explore so i was curious did i need a philippines license to do so.  I was chatting with my girl what you posted the reply and we read it and smiled.

[joemc58]

 you could apply for a international license. contact AAA.   or you may obtain one in the Philippines

[Ray]

I would recommend that you not drive over there, especially on your first trip. The traffic and road conditions will be NOTHING like you have experienced back home. This isn’t Kansas Dorothy!

Your foreign license or an international license is acceptable if you will be there less than 90 days. After 90 days, you will need a Philippine license, which is fairly easy to obtain. You also need insurance!

If you insist on going kamikaze and driving, then first familiarize yourself with all the driving laws, get the required insurance and carry a copy of the policy with you at all times. Make sure that your life insurance is paid up to date!

When you have your accident/accidents, be prepared to get locked up if anyone is injured. Gabriella and the other commie groups will demonstrate in front of your jail cell and demand the death penalty for the capitalist pig American.

Most available rental vehicles come with a driver, unless you want to rent a motor bike/scooter. It may be cheaper to just buy a used one and leave it with her when you go home.

Taxis and hired cars with drivers are cheap and MUCH safer for you and your passengers. I wouldn’t kill off your lady friend just because you hate to rely on someone to drive you around.

Ray

[Cbear]

When I was there in the 80s I rented a car every so often, I think it was Thrifty, I know it was an American company, just cant remember. They accepted my Ohio drivers license no questions asked.

I usually had a full time driver who had a private jeepny but every once in a while I needed to go someplace and he wasn't available. He also owned a taxi cab so he wasn't always there when I needed him, LOL

The car was more expensive than the driver. Then add the insurance and it was a lot of money. Basically same rates as here.

I don't know what the rates are now, but I know it isn't cheaper than a personal driver even if you have to get him a cheap hotel and feed him for extended trips.

If you get stopped by the commies, just pay the bribe. they have been known to make people disappear. I have been told they aren't near as bad as they used to be now that there are more major highways. The highways are toll roads and are patrolled often. But if you are off the main drag, just pay up.



 
 

[Jeff S]

An "International" drivers license is just a translation of your state issued license. I've never had one and rented cars all over the world (mostly in Latin America and Europe - but several times in Asia (not PI))  without needing one. As Ray suggested, a cheap scooter would probably be a better choice. One poster hear a few years back bought a motorcycle and toured all over the PI. Personally I'd take the car and driver advice. You can sit in the back seat with your gf and really see the scenery.

[Heruamen]

wow that was very interesting what the heck are commies?  Hmmm so it seems to be the consensus that I should not even think about trying to drive there. Perhaps that's why its so expensive to rent a car over there because of the insane drivers.  However perhaps I am just one of those foolish daredevils that will take  a chance.  I know when i go over there I going to want to hop in some kind of vehicle and drive where i desire.  I hate public transportation and I am not thrilled about taxis.  When i want to go I want to go.  I thought about a motorcycle or scooter, but it rains every other day in Cagayan De Oro so i don't know about that.    I will admit the prospects for renting a car there seem bleak because I cant find anything no matter how much i google except for avis, and the cheapest they got is an insane $60 a day.

[Dave H]

Hey Heruaman,

ALL Of The Above! X 10 I should create a Philippine driving video for Youtube! I often drive, but prefer not to! I am a former Defensive Driving (I prefer "Offensive" Driving) and EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator Course) Instructor. My auto is fully insured and I have PhilHealth Insurance. I need to get my Philippines driver's license soon (a few weeks over 90 days here). But, my wife's uncle is a regional police commander. He told me to just mention his name if I have any problems. However, I prefer to save any favors for when I really need them.

The laws are basically the same as in the US, but nobody follows them! The majority of the roads suck here and most do not have road signs. I have seen a few road signs...but they were used as roofing material on nipa huts. It is not uncommon for a two-way street to become one-way without any indication. Manila has some nice roads...fortunately the average speed is about .001 kilometers per hour, which makes them somewhat safe.

The rules of the road are about the same as Latin America. THERE ARE NO RULES! Actually there are: biggest balls, biggest vehicle, most expensive vehicle, loudest horn, craziest, lousiest or drunkest drivers usually have the right of way. Mirrors serve no other purpose other than to check your hair...vehicles pull out directly in front of you without looking...government vehicles can do whatever they want with impunity...big trucks and buses are allowed to crush you if you get in their way...right of way is nonexistent...driving down the wrong side of the road is perfectly acceptable, especially when passing other vehicles while driving over the double yellow lines, at a high rate of speed, toward rapidly approaching oncoming traffic...passing on the right (including over the sidewalk) or left in a single lane is allowed...stopping abruptly and parking in the roadway is the norm...lights are not required for nightime driving...if you can still drive a car that is missing body parts, brakes or wheels, no problem...if a tricycle  driver turns and looks back, he is about to pull a U-turn directly in front of you (he is not concerned that you are passing, he is going back for additional passengers)...autos and trucks don't bother look back...a driver's license doesn't seem to be required for a Filipino who receives a vehicle from an overseas worker...motorcycles are always all around you, they are just hiding in your blind spots...

I would be very carefully, especially on a motorcycle. If hit, you can forget about calling 911! You have to crawl or get dragged to a nearby tricycle (probably charge you triple fare if you are bleeding),   get wedged inside, and enjoy the ride while your broken bone ends grind together with every bump in the road. I limit my motorcycle riding!

Most of All... Remain calm and don't get upset by TERRIBLE driving...it is their country!

Dave

[Jeff S]

As I posted before like driving in China or India, there are rules, but they are merely suggestions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjrEQaG5jPM

[Heruamen]

  oh mi God that was the most awesome post Dave.  I love it and I cant wait to experience that adrenalin rush.  It all sounds so exciting. Okay yes perhaps I am a little bit of an adrenalin junky.(aka crazy) sometimes my idea of fun is dodging punches and kicks from someone trying to take my head off.  Hmmmm your description almost makes me more anxious than ever to drive in that hehehehehe.  However if I dont find a cheaper rate then what i see available for rent then perhaps its taxis for me.  perhaps I could just buy some used car for like $5000$100- bucks nothing fancy just point a to point b

[Heruamen]

hmmm sorry in that last post i meant $1000-$500 not $5000 oops

[Ray]

hmmm sorry in that last post i meant $1000-$500 not $5000 oops

Uh, the price of a used car over there is MUCH higher than it is here...

[Ray]

Very discriptive post Dave! ROTGDFLMFAOCUMLASINP!

But on the comment that right of way is nonexistent, I can think of one exception. Water buffaloes always have the right of way.

But if one should inadvertently get run over by the Bachelor Express Bus, there will be fresh road kill carabeef in the palengke (market) tomorrow... 

Ray

[piglett]

 Water buffaloes always have the right of way.

But if one should inadvertently get run over by the Bachelor Express Bus, there will be fresh road kill carabeef in the palengke (market) tomorrow... 

Ray

he he he .....well atleast they don't let it go to waste

[Heruamen]

hmmm i just saw a used Jeffy online (whatever that is, it looks like some kind of small jeep) For U.S. $834  Yeah Daves post was very descriptive, sounds almost exactly how people drive in my city now hehehehehehe.  I think Atlanta was voted one of the worst cities in America for road rage.

[Dave H]

Hey Heruamen,

I think the Miami area was number 1.  When you drive in the Philippines, you have to be very alert, expect the unthinkable and keep a cool head. After dealing with all of the bozos in South Florida, it took me some time to learn to keep my cool here. I am good now. But, I find myself getting agitated when my kids are with me and someone does something crazy!

Dave

[Heruamen]

  Yeah when my fiance was describing some of the drivers there its was the first time I ever heard her use a colorful curse word hehehehehe.

[Dave H]

hmmm i just saw a used Jeffy online (whatever that is, it looks like some kind of small jeep)

Hey Heruamen,

It was probably a misspelling of "Jeepy." A Jeepy is basically a sheet metal bodied vehicle, usually built of surplus parts, to resemble a jeep. Some are quite nice! It is similar, but smaller than a Jeepney, which was designed to use as a multipurpose commercial vehicle for carrying large numbers of passengers and anything else you can think of.

Dave

Jeepy


Jeepney

[Dave H]

One More Thing

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you will probably be charged because of one...or more likely, ALL of the following reasons:

A. You are a "wealthy Kano" and can afford to fix both vehicles and pay medical bills.

B: You are the only one with insurance.

C: The other driver is a "cousin" of the investigating police officer.

In the unlikely event that you are not charged with the accident and not legally liable, you will still be morally obligated to pay the medical bills for others who are injured. Why?...once again because you are a "wealthy Kano." Medical care is often much more expensive than burial expenses...yes, your moral obligation also. That is why many commercial trucks and buses back up to "finish the job!"

Dave

[stevjulietb]

Dave, after seeing the foto of the Jeepney and ALLLL of its cargo, I think I should get a few of Juliet's cuz-ins here and start a moving business?  lol

steveb

[Dave H]

Hey Steve,

Good idea! They probably carry more stuff in/on a jeepney than we do in the US with a tractor-semitrailer.  I always enjoy watching the jeepneys pulling out of the terminal on their way to the bundok!

Dave

[stevjulietb]

I still remember my first jeepney ride!  I hit my head when we got up to catch a trike!   

Steveb

[Bear]

There was a road right beside Honey's parents nippa hut she was very proud of.  It was called "Diversion Highway" and it was like a highway to them although only two lanes, the first in Davao.  It nearly caused me to have a heart attack.  It was a two lane road (one each way) that appeared to be an 8 lane road.  A jeepney would stop to let someone out and the other vehicles would PASS ON THE RIGHT!!!  But that wasn't the worst. As the people walked to the side of the road the vehicles would stop for them and the following vehicles would PASS ON THE RIGHT!!! Till I saw it as an 8 lane road (4 each way).  How hundreds aren't killed daily there I'll never know.

Also I twice saw vehicles squashed from two sides.  As vehicles tried to get into open lanes they would ignore the vehicle coming up in that lane and it would be squashed from two sides.  Never seen that one in the USA. 

Cebu seemed to be quite tame and very westernized with their driving, but Davao or Manila I wouldn't survive one day.  Baguio seemed almost acceptable but still some stupids behind the wheels.

The Bear Family

[Dave H]

Hey Bear,

That sounds like the typical driving around here! If the jeepneys, multicabs, and tricycles would just pull way to the right to let on and off passengers like they are supposed to, it would make it much safer!!! But, then again, other vehicles would probably just crash through nipa huts and sari sari stores so the could pass on the right.  

Here are some vehicles I would love for driving in the Philippines...or South Florida.








Maybe put some flammable placards on the bottom vehicle so people would think that it was full of gasoline. On second thought, it wouldn't matter! A few years ago, I saw a guy in a government vehicle cross over the double yellow center lines of the highway to pass 3 cars (I was last in line) and came within inches from being hit head on by a gasoline tanker truck. Then he banged a U-turn on the about a quarter mile down the road almost getting broadsided by oncoming traffic. When he came past us, he gave me a dirty look...what the hell did I do? My wife and I shot him friggin' birds! He was probably shocked that a high ranking government official (driving a very nice, new SUV) would be treated in such a manner!  Many here drive just like the average Hispanic, with whom I've had 37 years of intensive driving experience. They have no common sense, break all of the laws, are preoccupied with with their cellphones and/or something else, never take the blame for their mistakes, and can't seem to see past the end of their noses!!! I wouldn't recommend driving here for most people. Living here, I normally drive because I often have multiple tasks to accomplish. I also know the area much better than most locals...except tricycle drivers. I am learning to delegate and now have people run some errands for me. McDonald's even delivers!  

Dave