There is quite a long time to renew which seems the reverse of what we are used to ie Renew Non-Professional LTO Driver's License Requirements: Current Non-Professional (NPDL) due to expire or expired but NOT more than two (2) years.
Since all offices (and sometimes individual workers there) seem to have their own rules regardless to the actual laws, why not drop in the LTO next time you are passing by. Pickup renewal checklist and ask them at the door. Should take less than a minute.
Renewal process takes just over an hour with medical/drug test and admin nowadays, getting the new license takes between 7-8 months currently.
Yes, you can convert your foreign license without ACR card. I did with my BB Visa. Just show them your un-expired foreign license. Freedom Park LTO in Dumaguete.
What happens if your Licence is expired? Strange thing as I have renewed my Licence every Birthday for the past 38 years in Australia, so I assumed my Licence expired this time again on my Birthday in March this year, but discovered it expired at the beginning of February! No Credit Card means that I cannot renew my Aussie Licence online despite having no plans of going back there, but it would have been nice to have an Aussie Licence in the event I do need to go back for any reason or to help convert to a Philippines Licence... So; now I have an expired Aussie Licence, which I assume; will surely hit the fan when I go in to apply for a new Philippines Licence by making things very difficult? Anyone else been through this and have anything positive/helpful to offer?