Buying a scooter or small motorcycle. Is it difficult?

it is not dificult at all.i both a new trike at the RACAL branche in Davao,Racal takes care of the registration ,this however can take quit some time ,in our case it took 1 yr hehe but we had a nbr plate "for registration",wich is legal to use wen driving and we have never been stopt at check points or by police ,so go a head .i do not know what the procedure is for second hand vehikels ,but i asume you can use the owners registration until it expieres and then register it in your own name.
i do want to point out that we never use fixers to get things done ,we do it all legal wich at times can take more time but i considdr this a matter of principals.

greets Dirk

dirk,

Thanks for the info.  I'm glad to hear a temporary registration tag will get me driving before all the official registration is completed.  1 year would be a long time to wait.

Thanks again,

Scott

Just remember to convert your foreign DL to a local DL first.

did that soon after my arrival here hehe kosts only 800 peso medical clearance included ,took one day .
went to LTO whit translation( and officialisation of that translation by embassy )of my drivers lisence and it was smooth sailing all the way

greets Dirk

That's great to hear.  I think I have to get a medical exam for the visa too if I remember correctly.

no for visa no medical,and for drivers license in LTO davao just bring your dl as it is alredy in english ,the medical you can get next door to LTO,NO NEED TO USE FIXERS hahaha
i dont know if you plan to buy new or second hand ,were i boght my trike second hand started at 12000 peso

I'm glad to hear this is easy to do.  Yes, I'm definitely going to buy 2nd hand.  I figure if it's too shiny, it's more likely to get stolen.  I've seen a lot online, and the prices seem great.  Compared to USA prices.

new prices starts from around 50 000peso (1000$)
better to pay cash down ,down pay ments can almost dubbel the price,we did the calculation once and i was amazed ,my wife not hahaha
greets Dirk

Check the plate and registration on second hand bikes.  A lot of bikes that are second hand are on the 3rd or 4th owner and they never bother to register it under their own name.  Wont be able to insure it or if it was stolen in the past, you wont know until its too late.

New bikes are pretty cheap for the underbones, would just go that route.

buying second hand in a dealer shop is quit safe as they handle documentation for you.and then there are repo sales at dealers were one can do nice buys at nice prices ,on those the documentation is always ok

greets Dirk

That makes sense.  I can see the wisdom of buying through a shop rather than just person to person.  Good advice.  And yes, even new, that wouldn't break the bank.

If you buy the scooter from a good shop they will help you with everything. Just ask for some help.

The first time i bought a scooter I did not know anything, my sales guy helped me and made the whole process feel simple and easy. You dont need to have a Philippines drivers licence as long as you have a drivers licence from your home country then the police here will accept that.

A word of advice NEVER DRIVE in Manila, the Police will pull you over every 10 feet (hehehe) I dont think i am exaggerating about that.

Anyway, Best Wishes,
Carl

I live and ride every day in Manila and have never been pulled over by the police.

CebuSupportCenter wrote:

If you buy the scooter from a good shop they will help you with everything. Just ask for some help.

The first time i bought a scooter I did not know anything, my sales guy helped me and made the whole process feel simple and easy. You dont need to have a Philippines drivers licence as long as you have a drivers licence from your home country then the police here will accept that.

A word of advice NEVER DRIVE in Manila, the Police will pull you over every 10 feet (hehehe) I dont think i am exaggerating about that.

Anyway, Best Wishes,
Carl

Two family members have been killed by trucks in the provinces, would rather be pulled over.

Thanks to you all for the great info.  I'm hopeful this will be pretty easy.

Scott

the advantige of the racal trike i both are ,no need for helmet hehe
it takes quit some load like lugage or building materials
room for several ppl
very comfortebol seet for the driver
can even be used to dump load hehe
racal have site were one can get info on models and prices ,i have the "MAYA150"
wen buying check all bolt and screws as some may be only hand tightend ,one day i had to reinsurt the yet on the carburator as it had dropped in the bottom of the carb lol,lukly this is the phils as i did not have the tools whit me i cood use and it was the middle of nowere ,in no time i was surrounded by entousiastic advisers and commentors and i got all the tools i needed whit a lot of advise hahaha in no time i was back on the road .
it's more fun in the Philippines to have a brake down than any were else in the world.
greets Dirk

The Maya150 looks incredible.  I went to Google Images and it seems you can configure the Maya150 to be everything from a passenger carrier to a delivery truck.  Very cool!

hello i would like to ask if still need one year visa for convert DL in a local DL?

i renew visa every 6 month got license converted no problem
greets Dirk

when you converted? because last year i went ask and them told me need one year visa

last year i went to LTO and as i have a belgium license i had a, by the embassy oficialised , translation with me and the same day i had my ph license ,maibe it is easyer in Davao city ,but i must say i never had any problem whit emigration ,LTO or any other goverment servis there ,never used fixers to do any thing.
dont know were you live ,but this is the first time i hear one must have a one year visa to get DL.

greets Dirk