I’ve been in the Grabcar business since 2017. During that time, the LTFRB doesn’t care much about TNVS industry and other ride-sharing platforms. The driver’s income was also higher because Uber and Grab are still competing with one another. As of this writing, I am still operating my business but this time I already have my franchise issued by the LTFRB which allow me to legally operate my business. This business is not easy to operate but it is very rewarding. Allow me to share with you my learning as a Grabcar peer (operator).

My First Encounter with TNVS

My first encounter with TNVS was with Uber when I became its passenger. The first thing that comes to my mind when I first used Uber is that it is very convenient but it was very expensive too! The cost of the ride from Mandaluyong to Makati was around 500 Pesos. Despite the cost, I still felt that it was worth it because it is really very convenient. I didn’t need to wait too long to get a ride. I’ve been trying to hail a taxi but they kept refusing to give me a ride. It was then that I realized that TNVS is a good business venture.

Buying a car

The first car that I bought for TNVS business was a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 2017. There are 4 reasons why I chose this car and these are:

1. It is fuel-efficient
2. It has low monthly amortization (12,987 Pesos per month)
3. It is affordable to repair
4. The replacement parts are easier to find

Fuel efficiency is very important in this kind of business. As we all know, the price of gasoline in the Philippines is very expensive and it continues to go up every year. In order to increase the income of your driver, your car must be fuel-efficient. If your driver will not earn, then your driver might quit if he doesn’t find driving profitable.

Amortization Cost is your biggest expense every month. Buying a car that have higher amortization cost doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t intend to use the car personally so I didn’t consider buying a fancier car. The lower the amortization cost, the easier it is to profit from the business. PERIOD.

Repair and maintenance cost is also a regular expense that you have to shoulder every month. I make sure I regularly change the oil to keep the engine running in good condition. I also make sure that the mechanic checks all possible damages so that we can repair it immediately. Mitsubishi auto parts are cheaper that is why my repairs and maintenance cost is lower compared to other TNVS operators who are using another brand of cars (except for Toyota of course).

Replacement parts for Mitsubishi Mirage are easier to find too! Since the car will be used almost every day, wear and tear of the auto parts are inevitable. I need to be sure that I can easily find the replacement parts.

Grabcar Operating Cost

LOOK! There are many things that you need to prepare for so make sure you handle your finances effectively. When I was just starting, I used all the money that I earned and didn’t save much for emergencies. I almost lost the car when it had to be repaired due to an accident and I don’t have many funds to pay for the amortization. LESSON LEARNED. Avoid this mistake if I were you. There are also other things that you need to prepare for. Below is a list of my expenses and my operating cost for Grabcar:

1. Amortization Cost: 13,000 Pesos per month
2. Maintenance Cost: 2000 to 5000 Pesos per month (depends if I need to repair something)
3. Comprehensive Insurance Cost for TNVS: 1000 Pesos per month (for 12 months)

My total monthly operating cost is from 17,000 to 20,000 Pesos per month excluding expenses for car registration with LTO and LTFRB franchise.

Grabcar Operator’s Income

For an operator collecting 1,000 Pesos per day, his gross monthly income will reach 26,000 Pesos. We assume that the operator is not collecting boundaries during coding days of the car. With a monthly expense of 17,000 to 20,000 Pesos, the net profit would be 6,000 to 9,000 Pesos. In most cases, this income is not enough for sustaining the whole family but this is good enough to cover some regular expenses like electricity, water or maybe groceries.

Gross Income	Total Expenses	Net Profit
26,000 Pesos	17,000 to 20,000 Pesos	6,000 to 9,000 Pesos

Personally, I don’t earn that much but I am happy with what I am getting. If the operational cost is high, your net profit will be low as well. If you have 3 cars, I can say that the earnings are decent enough to support some of your expenses. Having 3 cars is like having an apartment that earns 18,000 Pesos to 27,000 Pesos per month.

Your Grab Driver

Your Grab car driver is the key ingredient to the success of your business. Before you allow him to drive for Grab, secure valid government ID, proof of residency and NBI clearance for security measures. You are paying hard-earned money for your car so it is just right to make sure that you entrust your car to someone you did a background check.

Next, let driver operate his own business. What is important to you is that you get paid and that he doesn’t use your car illegally. Allow him to provide other services using your car. He is doing this so that he can feed his family and also, to pay the regular boundary. If you don’t trust him at all with your car, then don’t let him drive in the first place.

To increase your success in the business, make sure that you compensate your driver well. In my business, I make sure that my driver earns more than what I earn. After all, he does all the hard work. I also included benefits that he can use in the future. For instance, after 5 years of his commitment to me, I will give him the car. This is called boundary hulog for Grab Driver. This benefit increases the likelihood that your driver will stay with you longer and it is both beneficial to you and your driver. Lastly, your driver is your business partner – always remember that!

Secrets to Success

• VERY IMPORTANT: Take care of your driver. Your driver is the key to success of your business. Take care of him and he’ll take care of your business in return. Treat him fair and square at all times.
• Install a GPS. Buying a car is a huge investment especially for ordinary people like me. Having a GPS installed increases your car’s security feature.
• Buy an insurance that covers vehicles used for TNVS. Some insurance companies does not cover vehicles used for TNVS.

Have you decided to be a Grabcar Operator? Here is the list of requirements for GrabCar

Ang Grab ay isa sa mga sikat na ride-hailing applications sa Pilipinas. Mayroon silang tinatayang 40,000 na mga drayber na nagbibigay ng serbisyo ng transportasyon sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa.

Maraming mga Pilipino ang nag-aapply upang maging mga drayber at operator ng Grab. Ang mga drayber ay maaaring kumita nang malaki habang may ganap na kontrol sa kanilang oras ng trabaho. Tumatanggap din sila ng mga benepisyo tulad ng GrabCare package at Ka-Grab Rewards Plus. Ang GrabCare package ay nagbibigay ng iba’t ibang uri ng tulong, tulad ng sa panahon ng kalamidad, tulong sa gastos sa ospital, at maging educational assistance. Ang Ka-Grab Rewards Plus naman ay nagbibigay ng iba’t ibang perks sa mga drayber katulad ng life insurance at fuel vouchers.

Ang mga Grab operators naman ay mayroong mataas na income potential. Kung marami silang available na sasakyan, malaki rin ang pwedeng kitain.

Kung ikaw ay naghahanap ng karagdagang pinagkukunan ng kita, ipapaliwanag ng blog post na ito ang mga requirements sa pagiging Grab drayber at operator.

Grab Driver Requirements

Mayroong dalawang transportation services under Grab – private car and taxi. Pareho ang requirements para sa dalawang kategorya. 

Ito ang mga requirements para sa Grab drivers na nasa Metro Manila:

• 18-70 years old – Para sa mga drivers 60 and up, kailangan ng fit-to-work medical clearance
• Professional driver’s license
• Drug test clearance from an accredited drug testing laboratory
• Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) background check clearance
• Vehicle OR/CR
• PA (Provisional Authority)
• Covid-19 Vaccination Card
• Certificate of Conformity – Kung ang iyong sasakyan ay naka-loan sa bangko o financial institution at patuloy ka pang nagbabayad ng amortization/payment, kailangan mo nito.
• 4 copies of Notarized Verified Application
• 1 photocopy of Proof of Filipino Citizenship**
• 1 photocopy x LTO Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) of authorized unit/s. Ang ORCR ay dapat naka-pangalan sa TNVS applicant o vehicle owner.
• Passenger Insurance  (i.e. PAMI or SCCI) 
• Personal Appearance on the day of the appointment date at the LTFRB Central Office, East Ave, Quezon City.

**Para sa Proof of Filipino Citizenship, maaari kang magdala ng alin man sa sumusunod:

• Authenticated Birth Certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority
• Valid Philippine Passport
• Voter’s I.D.
• Marriage Certificate

GrabCar vs GrabTaxi in the Philippines

May dalawang klase ng serbisyo ang Grab na pwede mong salihan bilang driver: GrabCar at GrabTaxi. Habang pareho silang may in-app navigation at live updates para sa mga lugar na mataas ang demand, ang GrabCar ay may fixed fare at exclusive rewards, samantalang ang GrabTaxi ay may traditional metered fare system na may dagdag na financial management tools at support features para sa mga driver.

GrabCar

Ang GrabCar ay walang metro at may fixed rate. Alam mo na agad at ng pasahero ang presyo ng biyahe. Kung ikaw ay isang GrabCar driver, mayroon kang exclusive rewards at benefits sa ilalim ng Ka-Grab Rewards Plus program. 

Ang mga driver ng GrabCar ay nakakakuha ng ride requests at pwedeng i-track ang kita nila gamit ang app. Sa app ay mayroon din live updates ng mga lugar na mataas ang demand at in-app navigation mula pick-up hanggang drop-off para mas madali ang biyahe.

GrabTaxi

Ang GrabTaxi naman ay gumagamit ng metro. Ibig sabihin, ang presyo ng biyahe ay base sa layo ng pupuntahan at oras na ginugol sa biyahe. Ang mga driver ng GrabTaxi ay nakakakuha rin ng ride requests gamit ang app kaya hindi na nila kailangan maghanap ng pasahero sa kalsada. 

Pwede rin nilang i-track ang kita nila at mag-instant cash-out sa kanilang bank account. May earning insights din sa app para matulungan sila sa pagplano ng kanilang finances. Bukod dito, may 24/7 driver-partner support at safety toolkit ang GrabTaxi para sa mas ligtas na pagbiyahe.

Grab Operator Requirements

Ang mga Grab Operator ay ang may-ari ng saksayan. Bilang may-ari ng sasakyan, maraming forms at requirements na kailang isumite. Ito ang mga kailangan mong ihanda kung balak mong maging Grab operator sa Metro Manila:

• Valid Government ID of the new operator
• Certificate of Conformity – Kung ang iyong sasakyan ay naka-loan sa bangko o financial institution at patuloy ka pang nagbabayad ng amortization/payment, kailangan mo nito.

• LTO Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) or Sales Invoice/Delivery Note of vehicle dealer
• Passenger Insurance (i.e. PAMI or SCCI) 
• Personal Appearance on the day of the appointment date at the LTFRB Central Office, East Ave, Quezon City.

LTFRB/TNVS Accreditation Documents

• Application with Case #
• Provisional Authority (PA)
• Temporary Authority Stamp (TAS) if expired PA or case number
• Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC)
• Receipt for each issued document

Bukod sa mga nakasasad sa itaas, may mga supporting documents kang kailangan ipada. Makikita mo lahat ng iyon dito. 

GrabCar Application Process

Ito ang mga hakbang para maka pag apply sa Grab kung ikaw ay taga-Metro Manila.

STEP 1. Kumuha ng Appointment Date para sa application ng Provisional Authority (PA).

STEP 1.1. Mag-book ng inyong Appointment Date. Ang mga sumusunod na hakbang sa ibaba ay batay sa pinakabagong proseso ng LTFRB (update as of December 2022). Simula Enero 9, 2023, hindi na kinakailangan ng aplikante na kumuha ng appointment date sa website ng LTFRB.

Maaari na kayong dumiretso sa Grab para magpasa ng inyong mga kinakailangang dokumento at sila na ang bahala sa pagproseso nito sa LTFRB. Tatanggapin lamang ng LTFRB ang 100 aplikante kada araw

STEP 1.2:.Kung hindi ka makakapunta agad sa Grab office, pumili ng inyong appointment sa Grab TNVS Scheduler.

STEP 1.3. Pumili ng iskedyul sa kalendaryo at i-click ang “Next” Pumili ng petsa na may available slot.

STEP 2. I-submit ang requirements sa nakatakdang appointment date.

Step 2.1. Ilagay lahat ng requirements sa isang Long Orange Folder. 

Step 2.2. Ihanda ang pambayad para sa passenger insurance (tingnan ang talahanayan sa ibaba). Si Grab na ang bahala sa pagbili ng Passenger Insurance bilang bahagi ng proseso ng pag-aayos.

Passenger Insurance from SSCI	Fee
Sedan	₱2,369.00
SUV/Premium	₱3,139.00

Step 2.3. Ihanda ang TNVS Application Fees

LTFRB Processing Fee	For one unit	Additional cost per unit
Filing fee (first 2 units)	₱ 510.00	₱ 70.00
Legal Research Fee	₱ 10.00
Provisional Authority Fee	₱ 250.00

Legal Assistance Fees	Per Case Number (starting Jan 9, 2023)
PA Filing Legal Assistance Fee(to be paid to Grab upon submission of PA requirements)	₱ 3,000.00NOTE: As a form of assistance, Grab will provide ₱ 2,000.00 legal subsidy once you complete onboarding
CPC Hearing Legal Assistance Fee(to be paid to lawyer upon submission of FOE requirements)	₱ 3,000.00NOTE: As a form of assistance, Grab will provide ₱ 1,000.00 legal subsidy once your hearing is successful

Step 2.4. Kunin sa Grab Office ang iyong PA

Pag nakuha na ang inyong PA mula sa LTFRB, makakatanggap kayo ng isa pang SMS na may mga tagubilin kung paano kukunin ang inyong PA sa Grab office.

Paalala: Kung ang iyong Provisional Authority (PA) ay nag-expire bago mo pa makuha ang iyong CPC, kailangan mong kumuha ng PA Extension para makapagpatuloy sa pagbibiyahe bilang TNVS.

STEP 3. Dumalo sa CPC Hearing.

Step 3.1. Ihanda ang Formal Offer of Evidence (download FOE here) na naglalaman ng lahat ng requirements ng LTFRB bago ang CPC hearing. Simula Mayo 2022, kailangan may kasama kayong Authorized Representative ng TNC sa hearing. 

Kung wala, maaaring ma-dismiss ang application. Kung nais niyong magpa-represent sa Grab, pumunta sa Grab TNVS Assistance Hub at least 5-10 working days bago ang hearing para ma-submit ang requirements sa aming partner lawyers. 

Online ang hearing process. I-check ang inyong email para sa Zoom link mula sa LTFRB. Para sa mga tanong, kontakin ang inyong Grab partner lawyer.

Step 3.2. Para sa dismissed cases

Kung nakatanggap ka ng ‘Dismissal Order’ pagkatapos ng tatlong (3) hindi matagumpay na hearing dates, kailangan mong mag-file ng Motion for Reconsideration para makakuha ng bagong Notice of Hearing:

Dalhin ang mga sumusunod sa pag-file ng iyong Motion for Reconsideration:

• 4 na kopya ng Motion for Reconsideration (na inihanda ng abogado)
• Photocopy ng Dismissal Order
• Special Power of Attorney kasama ang 2 photocopy ng government IDs (may 3 pirma)

STEP 4. Kunin ang iyong CPC mula sa LTFRB. Fully Accredited ka na bilang isang TNVS.

Mahalagang Impormasyon tungkol sa iyong CPC: 

• Simula 2018, ang CPC ay valid at renewable tuwing 2 taon. 
• Puwedeng gamitin ang iyong sasakyan sa TNVS hanggang 7 taon (mula sa petsa ng pagkakagawa). 
• Siguraduhing updated ang valid CPC mo sa Grab system para tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe.

STEP 5. Pagpapalit ng klasipikasyon ng sasakyan. 

Pagkatapos makuha ang iyong CPC mula sa LTFRB, pumunta sa LTO sa loob ng 30 araw para mapalitan ang klasipikasyon ng iyong sasakyan mula Private owned to Public Utility Vehicle.

Mga kailangan:

1. Photocopy ng OR/CR na may certified true copy mula sa financing (Bank)
2. Certificate of Conformity
3. Certificate of Cover (Insurance)
4. Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC)
5. Actual Inspection ng Motor at duly accomplished MVIR
6. Affidavit of Warranty
7. 2 Valid ID
8. Certified true copy ng records mula sa NCR (kung ang motor vehicle ay bagong rehistro mula NCR)
9. Electronic confirmation ng franchise (260 – 300 pesos penalty per month mula LTFRB hanggang ma-rehistro sa LTO)

STEP 6. CPC renewal or extension.

Ang CPC ay valid at renewable tuwing 2 taon. Kailangan ng LTFRB na mag-renew ng CPC ang bawat TNVS para makapagpatuloy bumiyahe sa napiling TNC. Siguraduhing valid ang iyong CPC sa ating sistema para tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe.

Paano mag-renew ng CPC?

1. Mag-file ng extension of validity (makukuha mula sa anumang law firm o notary public) ng CPC 6 buwan bago ang expiration date (walk-in).
2. Hintayin ang notice of hearing na ipapadala sa email sa loob ng 1 hanggang 2 buwan.
3. Kumpletuhin ang lahat ng requirements. I-compile sa DARK BLUE folder at ilagay ang “Extension of Validity”.

TNVS Application for Outside Metro Manila

Ito ang mga requirements na kailangang ihanda ng TNVS applicants na nakatira sa Pampanga, Cebu and Bacolod. 

STEP 1. Ihanda ang mga requirements na kailangan para sa Case No. at PA.

Lahat ng requirements at Application Form ay kailangang ilagay sa LONG ORANGE FOLDER:

•  4 copies x  Notarized Verified Application nagpapakita ng citizenship at financial capacity
• 1 photocopy x Proof of Filipino Citizenship
• 1 photocopy x Government Issued I.D. (with picture of the applicant)
• 1 photocopy x LTO Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) of authorized unit/s. Ang ORCR ay kailangang nakapangalan sa TNVS applicant o may-ari ng sasakyan. Siguraduhin na nakalagay ang year model sa ORCR.
• Operator’s Data Sheet. Tiyaking kumpleto ang details, latest picture at valid Driver’s License ng mga authorized driver/s
• Passenger Insurance (i.e. PAMI or SCCI) 
• LGU Zoning Certificate for the location of the garage for three (3) units and up
• Certificate of Conformity. Ito ay karagdagang requirement para sa mga bagong aplikasyon na may appointment date mula Hulyo 29, 2019 pataas. Ito ay kinakailangan lamang para sa mga nakasanglang sasakyan.
• Proof of Existence and Sufficiency of Garage

Kailangan mo ipakita ang mga sumusunod:

• Location map (Google Map)
• Dimension of Garage 
• Kung ang applicant ay ang may-ari ng garahe: magbigay ng Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT)/Tax Declaration sa pangalan ng applicant (vehicle owner).
• Kung ang applicant ay nagle-lease ng garahe: magbigay ng Notarized Contract of Lease/Authority to Use kasama ang kopya ng TCT ng Lessor.

PAALALA:

Ang mga nabanggit na requirements ay dapat nakapangalan sa TNVS Applicant (Vehicle Owner). Kung hindi makakapag-personal appearance ang TNVS Applicant, tanging direct ascendants (i.e. parents) o direct descendants (i.e. children) na may dalang Special Power of Attorney (SPA) at kalakip na Government issued ID mula sa applicant ang pinapayagang maging kinatawan.

Sa lahat ng mga naka-online appointment, ang Verified Application at Operator’s Data Sheet ay makikita sa confirmation email.

STEP 2. Pumunta sa pinakamalapit na Grab Driver Center. Para sa mga lungsod sa labas ng Metro Manila, iba ang proseso ng mga regional LTFRB offices sa pagkuha ng Provisional Authority.

Mainam na pumunta sa pinakamalapit na Grab Driver Center. Makikita ang address ng mga Grab Driver Centers dito. 

GrabCar Model Requirements

Ayon sa Department Order No. 2015-011, ang mga Transport Network Vehicles (TNVs) ay mga sasakyang tulad ng sedans, AUVs, SUVs, at iba pang kahalintulad na sasakyan na hindi hihigit sa 3 taon mula sa petsa ng pagkakagawa kapag nirehistro sa isang Transport Network Company (TNC). Gayunpaman, maaaring mag-operate ang mga sasakyang ito hanggang 7 taon mula sa petsa ng pagkakagawa.

Mga Kategorya ng Sasakyan sa Grab

Para sa Grab, ang sedans at compact vehicles ay napapabilang sa GrabCar, habang ang executive sedans at AUVs at SUVs ay napapabilang sa GrabCar+. Hindi tumatanggap ang Grab ng pick-ups, vans, at hatchback.

Ito ang mga ilang modelo na kadalasang ginagamit na GrabCar at GrabCar+.

GrabCar	GrabCar+
Toyota Vios	Toyota Fortuner
Hyundai Accent	Mitsubishi Montero
Honda City	Nissan Teana
Mitsubishi Mirage	Hummer
Mitsubishi Lancer

Final Thoughts

Ang pagiging Grab driver o operator sa Pilipinas ay may proseso at requirements na kinakailangang sundin mula sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Kung nais mong maging driver, kailangan mong magkaroon ng lisensya, magpasa ng drug test at background check, at tiyakin na rehistrado ang iyong sasakyan. 

Para naman sa mga gustong maging operator, kailangan ng mga legal na dokumento, financial capability, at maayos na garahe.

Mahalaga ring manatiling updated sa mga updates sa aplikasyon, tulad ng appointment scheduling at legal assistance fees, para sa magandang karanasan sa pag-aapply.

Ang pang-unawa at pagsunod sa mga kailangang hakbang ang susi para sa matagumpay at legal na pagpasok sa Grab.