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Driving a motorvehicle in PH

female_expat
#1
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
#2
Hi female expat. 

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

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