What are the consequences of driving without a license in the Philippines?

Driving without a license is a sure-fire way to get in trouble. Whether you simply forgot it at home, or if you had the courage to drive a motor vehicle without getting proper certification. License-less driving is as senseless as it can be thanks to the myriad of consequences that await you should the authorities catch you. It’s not a matter of if you will get caught, but when you will get caught. 

So let’s save you the curiosity. Here’s a rundown of things that can happen to you should you be caught driving without a license. 

The traffic enforcers will pull you over if you are in violation of traffic law, and implementing rules and regulations. That being said, there is a reason to stop you, and the first thing that they will ask of you is your license so they can list down the violation and address it to you. The thing is, without a license, they have nobody to address the ticket to, so not only is it a major hassle on their part, it’s going to pile up on top of your current apprehension. 

So you will get a ticket for your little mix-up, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Driving without a license will cost you a pretty penny as well, costing up to P3,000 in fines with the LTO. Remember that even with your license card, if it is expired, suspended, revoked, or even fake, it will be considered as driving without a license, and you will be penalized accordingly. 

On the more extreme end of things, whether you’re on a motorcycle or in a car, if you are caught by the MMDA without a license among a few other things, you can be charged with an impoundable offense. Your vehicle could get impounded for a lot of things, which include driving with an expired license or Traffic Violation Receipt (which serves as your temporary license), on top of that, if your license is fake, if you have the improper license restriction code, chances are the MMDA will have to call a tow truck in as you are not legally allowed to pilot the vehicle you’re currently using. So the most logical option in this scenario is to take away the vehicle since there is no authorized person to operate it. 

All license-related violations that result in impounding include the following:  

• Improper use of drivers license
• Expired drivers license
• Expired Traffic Violation Receipt
• Tampered documents pertaining to franchising, registration, and licensing
• Fake drivers license/ Ordinance Violation Receipt (OVR)
• Expired drivers license
• Expired Traffic Violation Receipt

All these violations are similar to driving without a license in the Philippines, and they can get you towed.