Philippines Vehicle Registration Process

Vehicle Registration Process In The Philippines

Most cars imported into the Philippines are considered “used” even if they might be considered new by U.S. standards. The reason for this is that the definition for a new vehicle in the Philippines requires that it has never been used, registered, or driven beyond 50 kilometers (which is roughly 31 miles).

Though there are some exceptions, the general rule is that only citizens of the Philippines can import a vehicle from another country. Even in those cases, they must have lived in another country for a year or have been a native Filipino that has since been naturalized in another country, in which case a 13G visa is required.

Vehicle registration in the Philippines is done through the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which has offices throughout the country. There is a link to local LTO locations at the bottom of this page under the resources section.

Vehicle Registration Documents

The following documents must be presented to an evaluator before required costs can be paid at the cashier’s office.

• Original sales invoice
• Bill of lading
• Proof of insurance (CTPL)
• Tax ID#
• Vehicle inspection report
• Bureau of Customs payment

Click here to visit our international car shipping page for the Philippines! There you’ll find information about the cost of vehicle shipping, what you’ll need to do to prepare, and what the process involves!

Philippines Driver’s License & Local Driving Resources

Getting A Driver’s License In Philippines

In order to get a Philippines license, you need to be able to read and write in English and Filipino. The process is more thorough than what is common in the U.S. You will also be expected to pass a drug test, submit a current medical certificate from a doctor, and your employers tax ID number. Naturally, you also have to submit the appropriate paperwork that goes along with getting a license, such as your successful written test.

You are not required to get a Philippines license in order to operate a vehicle in the country, provided you have a valid license from your home country. A foreign license may be used in the Philippines for up to 90 days, at which point you should apply for a local license. If your current license is valid, you should be able to skip the written exam portion.

Philippines Vehicle Registration Resources

Philippines Land Transportation Office - The Land Transportation Office is the primary governmental body you’ll have to deal with when registering a vehicle in the Philippines. On their website, you’ll find information about laws, licenses, insurance, and registration.

Driving In Manila - Driving in the Philippines is not like driving in the U.S., especially when it comes to Manila, its capital city. This resource explains the key points of what to know and how to approach driving in the area.

Do you have questions about shipping a car the Philippines and getting it registered locally? Give us a call at the number at the top of the page to find out how we can help! We’re happy to answer your questions & offer your a FREE no-obligation cost estimate for shipping!