Everyone wants to earn extra cash. After all, people have families to support and futures to prepare for. If you have a car and a lot of free time on your hands, why not consider working as a driver?
Earn income from driving people around the city or using your car as a ride-hailing service . You can be a driver or operator for one of the transport network vehicle service (TNVS) companies in the Philippines.
Yes, you can join Transport Network Companies (TNCs), such as Grab, JoyRide, and toktokgo. But don’t join a ride-hailing company just yet—first, you have some work to do. The requirements can be quite a handful. But don’t worry, we’re here to simplify things for you.
Basically, you need three things before you join the TNVS Philippines industry. Check out the following:
This is an obvious requirement. But just because you have a car doesn’t mean you can easily become a TNVS driver or operator. The LTFRB implements a maximum age limit for all public utility vehicles. Check that before you proceed with your application.
You won’t become a legitimate TNVS driver unless you’re registered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). To operate, you need a TNVS accreditation, which comes in the form of a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC). The CPC is valid for two years.
Renew expired permits if you want to continue driving. Otherwise, your vehicle will be tagged as colorum.
TNVS drivers need to use the app issued by their partner TNC. The smartphone doesn’t have to be high-end. You can always settle for a mid-ranger with reliable specs and features.
Good news for all aspiring TNVS drivers and operators! The LTFRB opened 4,433 TNVS slots and started accepting applications last January 9, 2023. [1] Unlike before, the LTFRB won’t be accepting online applications. Instead, they will process applications in person.
Applicants will have to apply with the TNC of their choice. The TNC will then take care of the registration and filing of the application for CPC.
According to the LTFRB, each applicant is limited to applying for only three vehicles.
Applying for a CPC can be a long and winding process. Here are the important details you need to take note of:
Kick off your TNVS Philippines application by collating the following documents:
Below are the steps you need to take to submit your TNVS application:
If all goes well, get your CPC from LTFRB.
Don’t forget that the TNVS application comes with some fees. Here are some of them:
Now that you know the details of a TNVS Philippines application, it’s time to choose a TNC to work with. Here are your options:
Grab is undeniably the most popular and dominant TNVS company in the country. It accommodates not only private cars but also taxis and motorcycles.
To help drivers maximize their income, Grab offers exclusive perks. These include deals and discounts on car wash, fuel, insurance, towing, aircon services, and vehicle maintenance, among others. [2]
Want to know how to be a Grab operator? Here are the requirements and application steps.
Wondering, “Is Grab still accepting applications?” Keep in mind that Grab only accepts up to 100 applicants every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
JoyRide has grown to become one of the leading super apps in the Philippines. Other than ride-hailing services, the company also offers delivery, e-commerce, and payment solutions.
Since 2019, the company has onboarded more than 20,000 driver partners. JoyRide’s ride-hailing services used to focus on motorcycle taxis. But in 2022, the company was authorized to offer car rides.
Here are the TNVS requirements that you need to satisfy if you want to be a car driver for this TNC.
There are two ways to apply at Joyride: online and walk-in. If you choose Joyride online application, just go to register.joyride.com.ph, supply the required details, and upload the pertinent documents. For walk-in applications, just visit one of the following JoyRide offices and submit your requirements:
toktok is a Filipino-made app that primarily offers delivery services. But it also branched out to TNVS Philippines territory by offering car services through toktokgo.
toktokgo allows the registration of different kinds of cars, from sedans to large MPVs. Interested? Here are the toktok online application requirements and steps:
OWTO is a 100% Filipino-owned company that prides itself in empowering its partners with equitable take-home pay through its lower commission take-out system. OWTO offers not only a 15% commission but also security benefits, such as safety assistance and accident insurance.
OWTO announced that it’s ready to assist aspiring drivers with their CPC application. The details aren’t specific, but the process will likely follow the framework issued by the LTFRB. That said, you’ll need to submit the documentary requirements to OWTO, which will then submit them to the LTFRB.
Say you’ve fulfilled all the requirements and become a legit TNVS driver or operator. The prospect of earning money while getting the chance to explore the city is exciting. But don’t hit the road yet without arming yourself with the right knowledge.
Since this is a whole new world for you, you need to prepare in order to avoid mistakes and, of course, make work easier and more worthwhile.
Here are some of the tips that you may find useful.
These days, it’s easy to rely on navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps. However, these apps can be inaccurate at times. Admit it, you’ve been directed to unfamiliar places or unexpected traffic jams after following their recommendations!
Familiarize yourself with the roads you'll be driving on. The better you know it, the more options and routes you’ll have. Through these hidden routes, you can avoid long traffic jams. In turn, your passengers will be happy.
To optimize your earnings, study the movement of the general public. Figure out which days of the week or times of day are the busiest. Identify the places where customers are concentrated. Since you’re a new TNVS driver, accept as many rides as you can. That way, you’ll know the patterns of passengers’ movements.
For most of your day, your smartphone will be standing on your dashboard, so make sure you’re using the right mount. Invest in a phone mount you can secure on different types of surfaces. Pick the right size—it’ll be difficult for you to find a good spot in your dashboard with a bulky one.
Sooner or later you’ll have a patronizing passenger who will tell you to make an illegal U-turn or beat the red light. Don’t follow them. If they insist, ask them courteously if they’re willing to pay the fine.
You can add another stream of income by selling items to passengers, such as snacks, sanitizers, bottled water, or even cellphone load. But check first if your TNC allows this.
If you’re tired or sleepy, park in a good spot (legally) and get a nap. Don’t force yourself to pick up rides when your body tells you not to. Otherwise, you may get into an accident since your attention and alertness are compromised.
Passengers don’t appreciate dirty and smelly cars. So make sure that yours is always tidy and fresh before you leave your garage.
Working as a TNVS driver or operator can help you earn extra income. But before that happens, you’ll need to go through the strict TNVS Philippines registration procedure.
Keep in mind that the requirements listed above are subject to change, so make sure you’re following the LTFRB or your desired TNC online. It would also help to ask a friend who works as a TNVS operator for some practical tips and tricks of the trade.
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Sources:
Jay is a marketing communications professional who specializes in short-form and long-form content. He has written ads for TV, radio, print, and digital. He has also produced corporate blogs, magazine features, white papers, product listings, reviews, and press releases for clients here and abroad. When he’s not writing, Jay plays the piano or takes pictures for his visual diary. Follow Jay on LinkedIn.
