Another trip to Phil - driving in Phil

[M J 11]

So I am currently between contracts for work, and will not be starting my next one until Dec 1. Last week I checked on flights to Phil just to see what ticket prices were like, and I ended up finding a decent deal. Since my fiance has a 2 week break from school coming up, and it will also be her birthday, I decided to go and spend some time with her. I have not been with her in over a year now and of course I really miss her. We are going through the visa process and I plan to go there to be with her for her interview at the embassy. I have been waiting for that, but it looks like it will still be a few months before we do it. Our petition has been approved, but the whole process has taken a lot longer than we originally planned. My fiance is close to graduating from college now, so we decided to delay things so she is able to finish before she goes here. Anyway, I have been to Phil a couple times before. Most of my time has been spent around the Makati/Manila areas, close to where my fiance lives. This time I really want to get out more and see other areas. The problem is transportation. We don't plan to go to any other islands, so do we take a bus or possibly a taxi? I do not really care to sit on a bus for hours with a lot of people. Around the city a taxi is fine, but I am not sure about taking a taxi long distances, or if we could even find one that would do it. We did ask one taxi driver about that last time I was there, and he said he would, but still I am not sure how it would be or how much it would cost. I was thinking about just renting a car and drive us around myself. Then we could take our time, and stop and see things along the way. My question is, would it be doable, or even wise to rent a car and drive? I know in Manila and Makati traffic can be pretty crazy, but I think once we get outside the city it won't be so bad. What does a foreigner need to drive in Phil? Is my US driver's liscense enough? Can I easily rent a car like I can here in the US? My biggest concern is safety and I also don't want to get lost. Last time I was there google maps seemed to have the area around me mapped out well, but that was in a big city, not sure how other areas are. I was reading that a few weeks back some roads outside the city were closed due to storm damage, but were opening soon. That of course we will need to check on before we go. Also weather will be a big factor determining what we end up doing. So is renting a car and driving something I could consider, or would it be advised to not even think about it?

Thanks.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I'm not so sure I'd try to drive in/around Metro Manila, but that's just me. I have driven in Seoul, but the traffic there is much more predictable than in Manila. I have driven around the provinces no problemo. As for requirements, get an Int'l DL from AAA. I think mine was $15, and with your US DL, you can drive in MANY countries. I have read that some drive in the PI with just US DL, and you might get away with it, but I forked over the few $ and got an Int'l (be advised you must carry both). Usually, all the Int'l license does is translate into the foreign language that you are a licensed US driver, and of course translation in the PI is not needed, so perhaps it's NOT necessary. But since I was going to be driving in Korea too, I figured it would be the smart thing to do.

[Ana & Cesar 5]

Hi,

My name is Ana, and my husband is also waiting for his petition in Manila. Our priority date is 2/28/13. Anyway, my husband could probably help you with that since he has a nice, comfortable car to drive around town. If interested, pls. email me at carmij71@yahoo.com. Yeah, he's reliable, friendly and knows the area very well. If your fiancée does not have a reliable car or knows someone who can drive you around, I will not recommend you driving by yourself (I will not even drive myself and I grew up there). There's no GPS and it is just too risky for any foreigner.

Thanks.

ana

[Hank_ 9,174]

:thumbs: - for hiring a driving... too nuts out there!

[M J 11]

I don't plan to drive around Manila, I know how crazy that is. I am wondering if we go outside Metro Manila, like say maybe to Baguio. Instead of taking a bus could I just rent a car and drive us there? I will be staying in Makati again, but would like to get outside the metro area and see other places. Around Metro Manila we will just use a taxi.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Even when we went to Tagaytay we hired a driver and after getting on the road I was very glad we did.

[geff44 30]

This year when I went home, I got an international license from AAA. Cost me 15 dollars. It is good for a year. You must bring your state issued driver's license together with this international license. I don't know how driving in Baguio is but definitely I would not attempt to drive in Metro Manila. I did drive in Davao City, which is a less crowded city than Manila, for a day. It was an adventure even for me, who was born and raised in the Philippines . If I were you , I would take an airconditioned bus to Baguio or take the plane to Baguio City. It will be less of a hassle and stress for you and your lady. Good luck.

[typo808 11]

All you need is a valid US drivers license and you are good to drive for 30 days. It was a bunch of fun renting motorcycles and going around. If you are an aggressive driver, you will see the traffic pattern and fit right in. Lol'

[M J 11]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I see there is an AAA office not far from my house, so maybe I will go there and get an international driver's license just so I have one. I did not know you can hire a driver. How does that work? I still have a month to plan all this, and I probably wont make a final decision on what we will do until I get there. Depending on where we go, flying would be the best option, but since it will be me, my fiance, and her sister, that might be a little expensive. The thing that appeals to me about driving us myself is being able to take our time and stop and see things along the way.

All you need is a valid US drivers license and you are good to drive for 30 days. It was a bunch of fun renting motorcycles and going around. If you are an aggressive driver, you will see the traffic pattern and fit right in. Lol'

I thought I remembered reading about only needing a valid US license back before my first trip to Phil. I have been told I am a very aggressive driver. I have been driving in and around Chicago for the last 20+ years. It can get pretty crazy around here, but like I tell my fiance, people for the most part follow the rules/laws. It's a lot different in Phil, it seems like laws and lane markings there are more like suggestions. I was surprised I never saw an accident and all the cars still had their side mirrors. The people on motorcycles there always amazed me. It seemed suicidal to ride on a motorcycle on some roads in Phil. I think for getting through traffic though, a motorcycle would be the best way.

One thing too, driving when you know where you are and where to go is a lot different then driving when you are lost or don't know the area. I do not plan to drive much in metro Manila. There I we would just stick to taxies. If I do drive it would just be to get to places outside metro Manila and I would try to get out of the metro area asap. I am maybe one of the few people that enjoys driving and sometimes love it. Of course a lot of that depends on the car I am driving and where. I have been curious about driving in Phil, part of me sees it as a sort of challenge.

[Bugs 455]

Driving in Manila, and most of Asia really, I've found that traffic laws are seen as "suggestions" rather than cut and dry law. Think of it as back in the day when you rode a bike before getting your first license, when you basically rode it according to how safe you thought it was rather than according to a black and white set of rules (unless you were one of those types that need such rules to operate).

There really is no rhyme and reason to driving in Manila, I've found lol. Maybe residents can make sense of it.

[altonbebe 48]

You do not need an international drivers license to drive in the Phil.

But be warned, if you get flagged over by an officer for a traffic violation, it is not the same as it is in the United States.

In the Phil, they take your drivers license from you during the traffic stop. You then have to go to the precent, pay your fine, and collect your license.

I got flagged over by a police officer on the side of the road for improper lane change. Ready for this, he blew his wistle. I thought to myself, is he blowing at me.

When I determined he was, i pulled over.

Now I know there are alot of people on here that are thinking " what an idiot, you could have just driven off" Yes, I could have done that.

But I refuse to add to the problems that are already present in the country. I did the right thing and pulled over. In addition, the last thing I wanted was a arrest on my record or that of my fiance for an improper lane change.

[sjr09 155]

- for hiring a driving... too nuts out there!

[seer8 2]

Personally, I have rented a car and found that the value comes from using it everyday and if possible every hour. I mean, it's a convenience and some places offer it due to the lack of public transportation. In Philippines, every you look, there are many ways of getting around. If you do rent, be sure you know the roads well and plan in advance. Don't do it just because of to have it as an emergency. Use the system that was created. You can save a lot of money and hassle, which I'll get to in a bit.

If you rent, like how I did, I had to give 2 forms of my id. That is not including your drivers license since you are going to need it to drive. You can use a state id or passport. My rental agreement says that if there is any damage on the vehicle, it must be repaired to its original condition. It was because there was no insurance or one that I can sign up for. So if you do rent, be sure to have insurance from the company.

The hassle can be if there is an accident or there is some damage. It's not even your car and it goes on your record (if you have the international drivers permit). Driving in an unfamiliar area carries with it risks.

You can save by not renting and not dealing with any hassles. For convenience, rent if you know the area very well and feel comfortable behind the wheel.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Elbow.png

It's a shame they can't spael porperly.

[typo808 11]

Cebu pacific has promos running oct 2-5. We got quoted 770php to tacloban. There are other destinations that benefit from this promo. Check it out at a Cebu pacific office. I don't see the same promo being advertised online.