Can Japanese Citizens Drive in the Philippines with a Foreign Driver’s License? 

According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), a Japanese citizen who has a valid foreign driver’s license is permitted to drive a motor vehicle within ninety (90) days after arriving in the Philippines. 

Upon arriving in the Philippines, the foreign national is subject to the licensing regulations and procedures set forth by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and has the choice to convert his/her valid foreign driver’s license to a Philippine driver’s license within and beyond the ninety (90) days period. Moreover, it is advised for the foreign nationals to always have their passport with them in order to determine the date of arrival.

What are the Qualifications for Converting a Japanese Driver License into a Philippine Driver License?

In order to apply for a Japanese Driver’s License conversion to a Philippine Driver’s License, the applicant must meet the following qualifications:

• Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle;

• Must be able to read and write in Filipino, English or any local dialect;

• Must not have unsettled traffic violation;

• Must be neat, clean, and presentable;

• Must be well-dressed;

• Must pass the LTO written and practical driving examination;

• Must be a holder of a valid foreign driver’s license;

• Must have passed the practical examination for applicants (Foreign and Filipinos) from countries operating right hand driver;

• In case of expired foreign driver’s license, the applicant must have passed the Theoretical Examination and Practical Driving Test;

• Must be at least eighteen years old;

• Must have been in the Philippines for at least one month before applying to exchange the license;

• Must have a valid visa for at least 120 days upon the date of arrival; and

• Must be able to provide proof that they will stay in the country for at least one year from the date of application.

What are the Requirements for Converting a Japanese Driver License into a Philippine Driver License?

Prior to converting a Japanese Driver’s License to a local one through the LTO, the applicant must provide the necessary documents:

• Duly accomplished Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) Form

• Submission of one (1) photocopy and presentation of original electronically transmitted medical certificate from LTO-accredited medical clinic

• Presentation of original and submission of one (1) photocopy of valid foreign driver’s license

• If the foreign driver’s license is not in English language, original official English translation

• Presentation of original and submission of one (1) photocopy of valid passport showing the first page, visa page, and latest date of entry in the Philippines

• Presentation of foreign driver’s license

• TIN, if employed

• Negative drug test result (from a DOH or LTO-accredited drug testing center or hospital)

• Original and a photocopy of visa and stamp or Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), available at the Immigration Office, if the applicant temporarily resides in the Philippines

How to Convert a Japanese Driver’s License to a Philippine Driver’s License?

The following are the procedures to be followed in order to obtain a local driver’s license:

• Visit the preferred LTO branch closest to the applicant’s place.
• Request for and accomplish the Application for Permits and License (APL) form.
• Submit the APL form along with the required documents at the LTO office.
• Once your documents are approved, pay for all the relevant fees at the cashier.
• Take the written exam and wait for the result of the exam.
  • If failed: Receive the computer generated letter saying that the applicant may come back the following day at their convenience.
  • If passed: Take the actual driving test.

• Upon taking the actual driving test, wait for the results.
  • If failed: End of transaction.
  • If passed:
    • Proceed to the cashier for payment of fees.
    • Proceed to the encoding or biometric window.
    • Accomplish the form for encoding of complete details in the new LTO-IT system, the LTMS portal.
    • Get your photo taken and affix your signature.
    • Wait for the OR and the DL Card to be sent to you by LTO.
    • Sign the release form and the LTO log sheet.

How Much are the Fees and Charges to Obtain a Philippine Driver’s License?

The applicant is required to prepare a payment for the driver’s license conversion:

Where Can I Apply for a Philippine Driver License?

The applicant may visit any of the following LTO offices, which are open from 8:00AM to 5:00PM daily:

• LTO Licensing Centers
• LTO Licensing Extension Offices
• LTO Authorized District Offices
• LTO Extension Offices
• LTO Central Office – License Section 

What are the Advantages of Having a Philippine Driver License as a Foreigner?

A Japanese citizen may only use his/her foreign driver’s license in the Philippines for a maximum of ninety (90) days following the days of their arrival in the country. If he/she is planning to live permanently in the Philippines, he/she will be required to get a local driver’s license to be able to drive legally, unless he/she obtains an International Driving License to go along with his/her driving license. Additionally, the Philippine Driver’s License serves as a valid photo ID that is recognized and can be presented in the Philippines.

Important Reminders to Remember:

If you are applying to get your Japanese driver’s license converted to a local driver’s license issued in the Philippines, the following are some important reminders to remember:

• The applicant is only allowed to convert his/her foreign driver’s license to one category at a time, meaning that he/she must choose from the categories—motorcycles, all automobiles, and non-HGV lorries—even if he/she has an foreign driver’s license and is licensed for all of them. Therefore, the applicant must specify which category he/she plans to change.
• The applicant is required to come back at least one month later to request for additional restriction codes. 

• Foreign license holders may only operate heavy or articulated vehicles with DL Codes BE, C, CE, or D after submitting a DOLE Alien Employment Permit (AEP) stating that the applicant is required or authorized to operate such a vehicle and that he/she must adhere to the experience and training requirements stated in the Supplemental IRR of R.A. Table 6, No. 10930.
• The applicant must pass the theoretical and practical examination in order to renew an invalid or expired Philippine driver license with a valid foreign driver’s license and an additional Driver License (DL) code (not required if vehicle category in the Philippines Driver’s License is found in the Foreign Driver’s License).
• For the equivalent Philippine Driver License Code that is being requested, the driver’s license category in the foreign driver’s license should serve as the PDC. 
• The applicant must undergo a practical driving test if driving in the issuing country practices driving in left hand traffic.
• Waiting periods are included in processing times, which begin when the necessary documents are submitted.
• If the transaction cannot be finished within the day, the applicant will be urged to return the following working day and will be given priority. 
• The driver’s license will be delivered to foreign applicants via registered mail through the Philippine Postal Service upon their successful conversion of their FDL to PDL application (Memorandum dated February 27, 2019). 

Need further information and assistance regarding Japanese Driver’s License? Talk to our team at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law to know more about the requirements and process. Call us today at (+632) 8478 5826 or +63 917 194 0482, or send an email to info@duranschulze.com for more information.