If you ride illegally without a license and have an accident, any insurance you had is void. What if someone gets seriously hurt or killed? You could owe a huge amount of money and will most likely end up in jail. Trust me, you don't want to spend even one day in a Philippine jail.

Can't you get it in the UK before you go?

Taxis are cheap enough, mate, or take a jeepney or a trike!

You'd have to take the regular Philippine license tests. • Take the TDC: complete the mandatory 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course at an LTO-accredited driving school or an LTO-run center. • Get a Student Permit: go to an LTO licensing center with your TDC certificate, medical certificate, and birth certificate and apply for a Student Permit. • Wait 31 days: you have to hold the Student Permit for at least 31 days before applying for the actual license. • Take the PDC: complete at least 8 hours of the motorcycle Practical Driving Course at an accredited driving school and get your PDC certificate. • Pass the LTO exams: go back to the LTO branch and pass the written/computer exam and the practical riding test. • Claim the license: pay the fees and get your non-professional driver's license.

It really depends on where you're traveling. Big cities will give you the most trouble. The farther you get from Manila or Cebu, the more relaxed the enforcement. In Manila we got stopped because I'm American, and they tried to shake down my driver. In the province we got pulled over for a secondary check, and when the officer saw I was American he didn't want to bother speaking English and just waved us off. I drive both a car and a scooter legally. I'd never take a scooter on the highway. I only use it around town. When I need to go out of town I always get a driver. Driving in big cities is just too much hassle.