Driving information — Philippines

Reviewed summary

A bona fide tourist or similar transient who holds a qualifying and valid domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may drive in the Philippines during, but not after, 90 days of the person's sojourn, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework, the authorised vehicle category and Philippine law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Philippines Instrument of Ratification; Republic Act No. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), particularly sections 19, 21 and 24; LTO Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10930, particularly section 9.5.3 and the Driver's License Code tables; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The foreign licence must be valid and must authorise the relevant vehicle category. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded from ASEAN recognition under the 1985 ASEAN Agreement. Under ASEAN Article 3, where a qualifying ASEAN licence is not in English, a certified English translation is required. Republic Act No. 4136 requires the driver to carry the licence while driving and does not permit use of a delinquent, invalid, suspended or revoked licence.

Other destination-country information

The licence must authorise the relevant car or light-motor-vehicle category. Current LTO Driver's License Codes distinguish light vehicle categories from motorcycle and tricycle categories. LTO category B/M1 covers passenger vehicles with not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat and a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 5,000 kg. Heavier and specialised vehicle categories are subject to separate licence codes and requirements.

A bona fide tourist or similar transient duly licensed in the home country may drive during, but not after, 90 days of the person's sojourn in the Philippines. After 90 days, Republic Act No. 4136 requires the person to obtain and carry a Philippine driving licence.

Drivers remain subject to Philippine traffic law and must carry the valid driving licence while operating the vehicle. The 90-day period is expressly stated in both Republic Act No. 4136 and the current LTO supplemental rules. The LTO foreign-licence conversion provisions are separate from the temporary visitor entitlement and should not be treated as requirements for a visitor who remains within the lawful 90-day period.

Reviewed summary

A bona fide tourist or similar transient who holds a qualifying and valid domestic motorcycle driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may ride in the Philippines during, but not after, 90 days of the person's sojourn, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework, the authorised motorcycle category and Philippine law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Philippines Instrument of Ratification; Republic Act No. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), particularly sections 19, 21 and 24; LTO Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10930, particularly section 9.5.3 and the Driver's License Code tables; Republic Act No. 10054 (Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009), particularly sections 3 and 4; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The foreign licence must be valid and must authorise motorcycles or the relevant motorcycle/tricycle category. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded from ASEAN recognition under the 1985 ASEAN Agreement. Under ASEAN Article 3, where a qualifying ASEAN licence is not in English, a certified English translation is required. Republic Act No. 4136 requires the driver to carry the licence while driving and does not permit use of a delinquent, invalid, suspended or revoked licence.

Other destination-country information

The licence must authorise the relevant motorcycle or tricycle category. Current LTO Driver's License Codes use A and A1 for motorcycle and tricycle categories, with vehicle-category distinctions based on wheel configuration and design speed. Republic Act No. 10054 requires motorcycle drivers and back riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets at all times while riding. Drivers of tricycles are exempt from the mandatory helmet requirement under that Act.

A bona fide tourist or similar transient duly licensed in the home country may ride during, but not after, 90 days of the person's sojourn in the Philippines. After 90 days, Republic Act No. 4136 requires the person to obtain and carry a Philippine driving licence.

Riders remain subject to Philippine traffic law and must carry the valid driving licence while operating the motorcycle. The 90-day period is expressly stated in both Republic Act No. 4136 and the current LTO supplemental rules. Motorcycle drivers and back riders must wear standard protective helmets under Republic Act No. 10054, while tricycle drivers are expressly exempt from that helmet provision. LTO foreign-licence conversion rules are separate from the temporary visitor entitlement.