While anyone can learn how to drive vehicles, not all are eligible to acquire a license. Having to get one is considered a privilege that the government grant to those who can prove that one can drive safely—without endangering the pedestrians and other motorists on the road.
This is why aside from a handful of documents, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) now requires applicants to go through theoretical and/or practical driving lessons to learn the basics from proper parking to identifying traffic signs.
The Philippines has three types of driver’s licenses, namely, Student permit, Non-professional, and Professional License. It has a validity of five years except for the student permit, which is only valid for a year.
We’ve gathered below the following qualifications, requirements, and fees you need to prepare in obtaining a driver’s license. Check them out!
Student Permit: A pre-requisite
Interested applicants must first obtain a Student Permit before they can apply for either a Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License.
The Student Permit or Student License allows its holder to drive a motor vehicle BUT in the presence of someone who holds a valid Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License. As mentioned, it is only valid for a year and cannot be modified, revised, or renewed.
Qualifications
Applicants must be:
- At least seventeen (17) years old;
- Able to read and write in English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect;
- Physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle;
- You must have attended at least 15 hours of theoretical driving lessons from any LTO-accredited driving school*;
- For foreign applicants:
- You must be at least eighteen (18) years old and have been residing in the Philippines for at least one (1) month and will stay in the country for at least one (1) year from date of application.
*This additional qualification is part of a new LTO policy implemented in early 2020 under the Memorandum Circular No. 2019-2176.
With this, applicants are now required to complete a minimum of 8 hours of hands-on driving instruction, teaching student drivers how to competently operate a motor vehicle through basic driving lessons such as parking, road crossing, night driving, and traffic signs, to name a few.
The LTO visions to prevent, if not, eliminate road accidents by issuing licenses only to those who passed as capable drivers.
Requirements
a. Basic Requirements
For both Filipinos and foreigners:
- Fully accomplished Driver’s License Application Form;
- PSA-authenticated birth certificate (original and photocopy). If you don’t have a birth certificate, you can go to the Customer Service Counter of any LTO Office and explain the reason why you don’t have a birth certificate. Nevertheless, you can submit the following documents as an alternative that are considered as valid:
- (a) Any legal document that can prove the applicant’s age and identities such as a passport or any government-issued ID;
- (b) a Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons who personally know the applicant and can attest to the applicant’s age and identity (A non-availability of record from PSA or local civil registry office must also be presented);
- Medical examination certificate (online-only/electronically transmitted). Medical certificates of Student Permit applicants should only come from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician;
- Certificate of Driving Course Completion to prove that you have completed the required theoretical and/or practical instruction given by LTO or any LTO-accredited driving schools.
b. Additional Requirements
For applicants below eighteen (18) years old:
- Parental or guardian’s consent (original);
- 1 valid government-issued ID of consenting parent or guardian with signature (original and photocopy).
For married women:
- PSA-authenticated marriage contract (original and photocopy)
For foreigners:
- Applicant’s passport containing the following (original and photocopy): (a) Entry date of at least one (1) month; and (b) Visa duration of at least one (1) year from the date of application;
- If born in the Philippines, submit PSA-authenticated birth certificate (original and photocopy)
Fees
- Application Fee – Php 100
- Computer Fee – Php 67.63
- Student Permit Fee – Php 150
- Medical certificate – Php 450.oo (fee may vary)
Applying for Non-professional License
Most driver’s in the Philippines will apply for the non-professional type of license. It is recommended for individuals who will drive motorcycles and vehicles with up to 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight).
A Non-Professional Driver’s License is only valid for five years. Moreover, the passing score for its written examination is 30 out of 40 items.
Under the new policy, on the other hand, an applicant can only apply for a Professional Driver’s License about a year after obtaining a Non-Professional Driver’s License.
Qualifications
Eligible applicants must be
- At least eighteen (18) years old;
- Physically and mentally able to drive a motor vehicle;
- Able to read and write English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect;
- A holder of a valid Student Permit issued at least thirty (30) days before the Non-Professional Driver’s License application;
- Completed a minimum of 8 hours of practical driving lessons given by an LTO-accredited and TESDA-certified driving school;
- For foreign applicants: they must be residing in the Philippines for at least one (1) month and will stay in the country for at least one (1) year from date of application.
Requirements
The following eligible applicants must prepare the following documents.
a. Basic Requirements includes:
- Completely filled out Driver’s License Application Form
- Valid Student Permit issued at least thirty (30) days before the date of application
- Medical examination certificate (online-only/electronically transmitted).*
- Certificate of Driving Course Completion that will prove that you have completed the required theoretical and/or practical instruction given by LTO or any LTO-accredited driving schools. Accredited driving course center will automatically transmit to LTO the certificate once an applicant completed the course.
b. Additional Requirements for foreigners:
- A passport containing the following (original and photocopy): (a) Entry date of at least one (1) month; and (b) Visa duration of at least one (1) year from the date of application;
- If born in the Philippines, submit PSA-Authenticated Birth Certificate (Original and Photocopy);
- If holder of a valid foreign driver’s license:
- Valid foreign driver’s license (Original and Photocopy)
- Official English translation of foreign driver’s license from Embassy of the issuing country, if not in English. (original and photocopy)
*Medical certificates of Non-Professional Driver’s License applicants should only come from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician.
Fees
- Application Fee – Php 100
- Computer Fee – Php 67.63
- License Fee – Php 585
- Additional Computer Fee – Php 67.63
- Medical certificate – Php 450.oo (fee may vary)
Applying for Professional License
Unlike the previous type, the Professional Driver’s License lets holder drive vehicles exceeding 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). The license validity lasts for five years, and applicants must get a score of 45 out of 60 items to pass the written examination.
Qualifications
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years old;
- Must be physically and mentally able to drive a motor vehicle.
- Must be able to read and write English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect.
- Must have completed a minimum of 8 hours of hands-on driving lessons given by an LTO-accredited and TESDA-certified driving school;
- For foreign applicants: You must be residing in the Philippines for at least one (1) month and will stay in the country for at least one (1) year from date of application;
- For Restriction Codes 1, 2, 4, and 6:
- You must be a holder of a valid Non-Professional Driver’s License issued at least one (1) year before the date of application;
- For Restriction Codes 3, 5, 7, and 8:
- You must be a holder of a valid Non-Professional Driver’s License at least one (1) year before the date of the application OR You must be a holder of a Professional Driver’s License with Restriction Codes 1, 2, 4, and 6 at least six (6) months before the date of application;
Requirements
a. Basic Requirements includes:
- Completely filled out Driver’s License Application;
- Medical examination certificate (online-only/electronically transmitted). Medical certificates of Professional Driver’s License applicants should only come from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician;
- Valid Non-Professional Driver’s License issued at least one year before the date of application.*
- Clearance from both the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and PNP (Philippine National Police), indicating that the applicant has not been convicted in any offense that involves moral turpitude or reckless imprudence resulting from reckless driving;
- Certificate of Driving Course Completion to prove that you have completed the required theoretical and/or practical instruction given by LTO or any LTO-accredited driving schools.
*Under the new policy, new drivers can no longer apply for a professional license six months after being issued a student permit. Instead, they’re now required to obtain a non-professional license first and can only apply for a professional one after about a year, and once they’ve passed the required theoretical and practical exam.
b. Additional Requirements:
- For Restriction Codes 1, 2, 4, and 6:
- Valid Non-Professional Driver’s License issued at least one (1) year before the date of application (original and photocopy)
- For Restriction Codes 3, 5, 7, and 8:
- Valid Non-Professional Driver’s License issued at least one (1) year before the date of application (original and photocopy) OR;
- Professional Driver’s License with restriction codes 1, 2, 4, and 6 and valid for at least six (6) months before the date of application (original and photocopy)
- For Foreigners:
- The applicant’s passport containing the following (original and photocopy): (a) Entry date of at least one (1) month; and (b) Visa duration of at least one (1) year from the date of application;
- If born in the Philippines, submit a PSA-authenticated birth certificate (original and photocopy).
Fees
- Application Fee – Php 100
- Computer Fee – Php 67.63
- License Fee – Php 585
- Additional Computer Fee – Php 67.63
- Medical certificate – Php 450.oo (fee may vary)
Driver’s License applications can be submitted to any LTO District Office, Licensing Center, and Extension Office.
However, in an effort to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic, the agency has launched an online portal called the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS). Here, motorists can easily apply or renew licenses, as well as complete other LTO transactions.
The online portal also lets users secure an appointment and pay ahead required fees, reducing the total waiting time at the LTO offices.
Click here to visit the portal.
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Reference/sources
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