Temporary Validity of an Italian Driving Licence in the Country
The use of an Italian driving licence is generally accepted by the competent local authorities for short periods, provided that it is accompanied by an appropriate English translation certified as a true and accurate translation by the Embassy. For the purposes of driving within the territory of the Philippines, driving licences issued by the Italian authorities cease to be valid after ninety (90) days from the date of arrival in the Philippines.
For the purposes of driving within the territory of Italy, driving licences issued by the Philippine authorities cease to be valid one year after the date on which the holder transfers their official residence to Italy.
Please note that an International Driving Permit issued in accordance with the Vienna Convention (ratified by the Philippines on 27 December 1973) is recognised in the Philippines, and applicants are therefore advised to obtain one.
Renewal of an Italian Driving Licence Abroad
Please note: the renewal of an Italian driving licence may only be requested by persons registered with AIRE and resident in the Philippines, Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, or by persons who have been present in the aforementioned countries for more than six months and have already initiated an application for registration with AIRE in the relevant consular jurisdiction.
- Renewal is carried out by means of a specific certificate and not by issuing a new driving licence. Once the citizen has re-established residence or domicile in Italy, they must have the driving licence validated by the Italian Civil Motorisation Office.
- Renewal is permitted only for licences that expired no more than five years previously.
It is not possible to request the issuance of a driving licence or a duplicate in cases of loss, destruction or theft.
To request the renewal of an Italian driving licence, Italian citizens residing in this area must undergo the required eyesight and medical examination by contacting Makati Medical Center in Manila, where the Embassy’s appointed doctor is available. The examination certificate, including any declaration of fitness to drive, must be completed using the medical certificate form required under Italian law.
Makati Medical Center – details of the appointed doctor:
Dr. JAIME SD SONGCO
Urologist/Oncologist
R6, CPm, 3rd floor, Tower 1
Makati Medical Center
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
8:00 to 12:00 am
Take the escalator to the third floor; the clinic is on the right-hand side at the end of the corridor. The doctor will see patients on a first-come, first-served basis. Clinic hours may be subject to change if the doctor is engaged in surgical procedures or meetings.
At the end of the examination, the hospital will return the completed medical certificate. Before attending the medical examination, applicants are requested to obtain the appropriate form. It is essential that the responsible doctor completes the medical certificate required under Italian legislation.
Once the medical examination has been completed, the applicant, in possession of the expired driving licence, passport, two passport-size photographs (front-facing and with a white background), and the medical certificate, may attend the Consular Office by appointment (to be requested exclusively through the dedicated Prenot@Mi portal) to apply for renewal of the document. A consular fee is payable for this service.
Conversion of Driving Licences
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on the conversion of driving licences provides for the mutual recognition, for the purposes of conversion, of valid, non-provisional driving licences issued by the competent authorities of each country in accordance with their respective domestic legislation, in favour of holders of driving licences who establish their official residence in the territory of the other Contracting Party.
The right to convert a valid driving licence issued by the competent authorities is guaranteed provided that the holder establishes their official residence in the territory of the other country, without the need to undertake theoretical or practical examinations, except in specific cases concerning drivers with disabilities.
The procedure for converting an Italian driving licence into a Philippine driving licence may be initiated by the applicant directly by contacting the local Land Transportation Office (LTO).