I don't know if this will affect anyone other than a Brit (European maybe) but over the Xmas period I had spent some time talking to my cousin ( Who lives in Thailand.) he recently retired at 73 from his British Company and thus was then chasing a Non Quota visa [which he got] Now he downsized and Moved House. As with most Authorities he had to do the Address change for things, Apparently the only but biggest thing he had a problem with was his Driving licence. It was revoked. reason was that when he Changed his UK licence 3 years ago, he had an Extension of 3 years from 70 to 73 ( in the UK your Licences Expire at age 70 ( you can extend for 3 years until 73 then Yearly after medical Exams and such) So when he exchanged his License, the UK one was still in Force, but now he is faced with a Trip to the UK to get another Extension. Hmmmmm I hear you say but he has a Thai one so? Well again Apparently, They take note of the normal expiry date of your UK License. This would Normally keep you off the road after 70 or later with Extensions. I am now Wondering if this could be a possible Hiccup we may have here. My PI licence is till 2016 but my UK one that they Hold will Expire in 2017. Should, as the Thais have done and connect the 2 will they renew my PI one in 2018 as effectively I will have an Expired UK one on file at LTO my Thinking is, Is their thinking, OH! Too old to Drive i the UK so you must be Too old to Drive here? Or are they not that clever and /or technology is like the BOI, just not together enough? Thoughts anyone?
If you ask them, of course they are, and you need to pay extra. There is no requirement to hold a foreign license to have a Philippine one. So, if they ever ask, just tell them you don't have a foreign license anymore, as you converted it to a Philippine.
Christmas is over, so Christmas bonuses from the expat community for the LTO officers are not sought after as much. About three months after i arrived, I was stopped by a single van PNP type check point by Malatapay. They asked for my DL, and I gave them my California USA license. The two friendly officers looked it over and said "OK" Then they asked for my new motorcycle registration. I said that I was never give one... just really did not know where it was..... They said that I should go back to dealer and get it... but no problem that day for registration either. The critical questions was would I marry a pretty Filipino (i had one of the back of my bike) and in my usual sarcastic attitude I said I would not marry an "ugly" one.. When I got to Mike 's Beach resort for lunch I looked at the licensed I gave them... The one I gave them had expired 13 years before. So I am not sure you would have to worry to much even having a current license If you move to Bacong you really do not need a license or vehicle registration as long as you do not go into Dumaguete. Very few locals here have any of that stuff. Rules like that are only enforced in the "urban centers" like Dumaguete. Just do not perspire when you get pulled over and everything will go well When it comes to rules and regulations Bacong is like most provincial communities.... very relaxed until you p*ss someone off.
