Vehicles & Servicing Driver's license renewal in advance

I have no idea what is being used to issue an international driver's license by the AA in the Phils. Chances are it can be a paper document like it was made many years by various organizations in Europe. Have no idea about the current situation. But nevertheless the validity of an international driver's licence is only worth in combination with a valid driver's license from the country of residence and............well that is missing as only that piece of paper saying that, so still in a vicious circle.

 

I was in LTO in Dumaguete to renew my driving license back in in november last year, all went smooth. Come back in feb. and pick plastic card up, I went there, yes it's ready sir, go next counter and get a schedule. Lady there told me, you can come back in end of july to pick your new driving license up, lol. It's not a problem, as long I have old license and paper with temporary license, just funny how things done here. Anyone else try this ?

 

After getting stopped for lack of plastic cards a few times over the past year at the LTO/Daro door by the girl who does the initial check of the paperwork, I went there Monday morning and she handed my a form to fill out. When I completed it, she stapled my "official receipt"/driver license to the form and sent me to counter 2. I thought at long last I was going to get my real license. HAH!

After waiting for a bit over an hour, I was called up to Counter 4 to complete the transaction. The pleasant man sat me down in front of a monitor screen and said I should double-check the info as he entered it. We got halfway through and he stopped and said: "I'm sorry, sir, but I cannot complete this for you. When you received your license it was for a 3-year period, and now licenses are given for a 5-year period. I can only process 5-year licenses and yours must be up for renewal before you can go on the 5-year program." My license renews in July, 2019.

I asked to talk to the Chief, and she was very nice and apologetic. She told me the same story, and that the girl at the door should have caught that and sent me home for another 16 months. She said they no longer get the plastic blanks to print the 3-year renewals and they are different than the 5-year blanks. Which they don't have anyway. And they don't have the machine yet to print on the 5-year blanks.

So, there is no way in hell that I can get the plastic card until I renew for 5 years in July, 2019. Even then, I give it less than 50-50 that they will have the machine by then, if they do that it is still in working order, and if it is that they have the appropriate blanks.

But one thing they did for me that made me fairly happy with the outcome: On the back of my "Official Receipt"/driver license that I have been carrying around for over a year, they imprinted the image that would have been on the plastic card! So now I have my color picture and "driver license" on the back of my receipt. It's something, at least. And they do try to be helpful.

 

I took encouragement from your post and went to the LTO in Robisons today. 10 months ago, in April of 2017, they renewed my license to the 5 year one. However, like you, they said come back in Feb 2018 to get the plastic.

So I went there today and they gave me a form to fill out and bring back when I come back in August to pick up the plastic. (Yes they gave me an appointment for August 30, 2018 so I hope I remember) If I get it then, that will be 16 months driving on a photocopy of their "official receipt" (because I won't take a chance on losing the original). Heck, by the time I am done my 5 year license will expire in 3 years. No wonder they want you to prove you will live here for a year before doing the application for a Philippine license.

 

It's only a few days ago I was at LTO in Robinson, can pick up my new 5 years license 28. july, now a few days later, you get a schedule 30. august, lol. There was fully booked inthe office there, hard to come around, but as long we can drive legal, I really don't care

 

Hi everyone,

I applied to get a driving license conversion 2 1/2 weeks ago, had 3 visits there in total.

After answering all the same questions I had answered the last two visits and getting my photo and prints taken again,I was shown by the very jolly fella behind his screen what looked liked a brand spanking new machine that spits out your plastic license in 60 seconds ,which it did.
And the new license lasts for 5 years.

 

Do you need to answer questions pertaining to Traffic Laws or personal questions to convert a foreign Licence to a Philippines Licence? I am looking at going in soon to convert my Aussie Licence to a Filipino Licence and have been memorizing the questions online that they ask you when you go and apply for a New Licence.

 

No. Just have a valid foreign license and follow the steps they ask. Here are the steps
How to convert a foreign license to a Philippine license | GOVPH