Self-drive rental in the Philippines has one fear that operators in other countries rarely face: rent-sangla, where someone rents a car and pawns it. The Department of Justice has charged rent-sangla groups with syndicated estafa, and the Supreme Court has held that keeping a rented vehicle after the agreed return against the owner's wishes can be carnapping. In both cases, a clear written agreement with the renter's verified ID is what the police and prosecutor ask for first.

Our free agreement for the Philippines is written for small car and motorcycle rental businesses, in English with a Filipino translation. The Philippines is preset in the form.

Philippine rules built in

Foreign licences: 90 days. Under RA 4136 section 21, a licensed foreign tourist may drive during the first 90 days of their stay, not after. The Philippine embassy's guidance says a non-English licence needs an official English translation. The clause asks for an English licence, a translation or an IDP, and the passport as proof of arrival date. Local licences need the right LTO code: A for motorcycles, B for cars.

Self-drive and franchises. LTFRB MC 2011-008 exempts private vehicles that are exclusively used and driven by the lessee from the rent-a-car franchise rule; other rent-a-car services still need one. The agreement states that it is a self-drive rental with no driver provided, and that only named drivers may drive.

CTPL. You need CTPL to register a vehicle with the LTO under the Insurance Code. It covers death and bodily injury of third parties only, not the car, the driver or (usually) property. The agreement says so, and confirms the OR/CR and CTPL are valid.

Helmets and children on motorcycles. RA 10054 requires standard helmets with a PS or ICC mark for rider and back rider. RA 10666 lets a child ride only if their feet reach the foot pegs, their arms reach around the rider and they wear a standard helmet. Motorcycle riders have a zero alcohol limit.

Seatbelts and child seats. RA 8750 covers seatbelts, and the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act bars children 12 and under from the front seat unless they are at least 150 cm tall. The Anti-Distracted Driving Act is in the forbidden-use list.

Passports. The New Philippine Passport Act (RA 11983) makes withholding a Philippine passport without legal authority a crime punished by over 12 years' imprisonment and a PHP 1–2 million fine. The agreement never holds a passport or government ID; you photograph it.

Data privacy. The Data Privacy Act requires proportionate collection and limited retention. The data clause also tells renters they can complain to the National Privacy Commission.

Traffic violations. LTO, MMDA, LGU and No Contact Apprehension notices go to the registered owner. The Supreme Court partly lifted its NCAP restraining order for the MMDA in 2025. The agreement lets you transfer the violation to the renter where the procedure allows, or pay it and recover it, and hold part of the deposit for 30 days.

Fair charges and disputes. Under the Civil Code, courts can reduce iniquitous penalties, so the fees are framed as genuine estimates. Disputes go through barangay conciliation where the Local Government Code requires it before court.

Problems it handles

• Floods and typhoons. Flood damage is usually an optional add-on to comprehensive cover. The agreement bars driving into flood water and asks renters to move the car to higher ground when it's safe to.
• Inter-island trips. Ferries ask for the OR/CR and an authorisation letter from the owner. The car stays on the island or province unless you give written permission and that letter.
• Rent-sangla. A clause bans selling, pawning (isangla), subleasing or lending the car, its plates or OR/CR.

For setting the deposit, see our deposit guide, and for handover photos the handover checklist guide.

How to use the builder

The Philippines is preset. Add your business, vehicle, rates, deposit and permitted area, leave anything blank to fill in at handover, and download Word or PDF. Other countries are on the main free rental agreement page. This is general information from public sources, not legal advice.

Let RoveHQ fill it in for you

RoveHQ fills in the agreement from each booking automatically, the renter signs on their phone, and passport and licence details are read from a photo, so you have a verified ID on file for every rental. Start free.