Vehicles & Servicing Driver's license renewal in advance

I have a small question. My filipino driver's licence is expring March, 20, 2018. But as it is, in February I will go to Europe and I won't be around in Dumaguete for the renewal. I know this is not really a problem. Because I could do the renewal some time later. But as I don't have a Swiss driver's licence anymore, I will need a valid filipino one driving in Europe. In the internet it says you can renew one month before it expires. As the rules change constantly in the Philipines, does anybody know if this is still true ? Thank you very much for your answers.

P.S. I hope the plastic cards are now available

 

You can renew BUT all you will get is a bit of paper Which will only say 1 & 2 on it. This will be of no use to you when away from the PI. Sorry but it is what it is Plastice licences are around 1 year behind

 

If you have your old plastic license and the receipt from your renewal that is considered a valid license here. If it's valid here it should be valid in Europe.
If you have to explain the Philippines was out of plastic, that could be a hard sell.
Still, valid is valid. IMHO.

 

I can follow you, the question is, do car rental companies, police etc. accept that kind of explanation in Switzerland and other European countries?!

 

I strongly suspect you already know the likely answer.
If the one you are explaining to that PH ran out of plastic licenses has been to the Phillipines, then YES. If they have not ever been here, then NO. So it would seem that it would be rather risky. Being legitimate is in the mind of the beholder. I think they would laugh at your "out of plastic" story and your piece of paper that might look like you did it on your computer, but that is only my opinion. I know this is about driver's licenses but most of those people don't play. In Europe I have personally seen the authorities on the trains examine passports minutely if they have even the slightest suspicion of it's validity, stamps, etc., and I have seen them put several tourists off trains at borders because they didn't like what they saw. I saw them put one lady off because of a suspicious travel pattern. Of course I will say that the only ones I've ever seen have trouble, looked suspicious already.

Since this is a serious matter to you, my idea and suggestion would be for you to renew and then have a letter of explanation either from a lawyer or the driver's license people, perfect if on their letterhead, explaining that this was a legitimate receipt and valid to drive with. A lawyer could notarize the driver's license manager's signature and maybe that would work. A lot of trouble but small compared to getting to Europe and being SOL with your license. It may cost you a few pesos for a gratuity to the driver's license office manager but that's they way it is done here.

 

the automobile association of the philippines in manila will issue an international drivers license according to their web site. i guess just as AAA does in the states.

 

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