How to Get A Driver’s License in the Philippines: 2024 Process + Fees

Applying for a Driver’s License in the Philippines: Ultimate Guide

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Driving is an ultimate life skill. If you can drive, you can go anywhere you want and altogether avoid the hassle of commuting. It’s also the easiest way to travel! Driving can take you to places conveniently and safely, but you must secure a non-professional driver’s license before driving around. If you’ve been planning to get one, breeze through this updated guide and learn everything you need to know when getting a valid driver’s license.

To apply for a professional and nonprofessional driver’s license in the Philippines, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid student permit for at least six months. You must complete the required documents, including a filled-out application form, original birth certificate, proof of residency, and a medical certificate. Visit a Licensing Center or Satellite Office of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to submit your documents and undergo a written exam, practical driving test, and drug test. If you pass these tests, pay the necessary fees and wait for the release of your driver’s license. Remember to familiarize yourself with traffic rules and regulations for safe driving.

First things first. What’s a driver’s license?

A driver’s license is a government-issued ID you obtain to drive any vehicle in the Philippines. It’s issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). There are three types of driver’s licenses in the Philippines namely:

Student Permit

This LTO student license allows a person to drive only when accompanied by a non-professional or professional driver’s license holder. It’s a permit used when you are first learning how to drive, with the supervision of a driving instructor.

Non-Professional Driver’s License

This type of driving license is the one you get when driving private vehicles or for personal use only.

Professional Driver’s License

You should get this license if you are driving as a profession. This includes driving commercial vehicles.

What do I need to prepare to get a driver’s license?

Getting a driver’s license may be one of the most tedious government-issued IDs due to the numerous requirements and steps needed to obtain one. But if you’re really willing to get this license, you must prepare all the requirements below:

For Student Permit

• Accomplished Application for Permits and Licenses form
• One original and photocopy of a medical certificate from any LTO-accredited clinic
• One original and photocopy of any of the following:
• PSA/NSO Birth Certificate
• Valid ID
• Passport
• Local Civil Registry (for areas without PSA)
• PSA Certificate of Marriage
• One parent/guardian consent that authorizes the minor applicant to secure a student permit and one photocopy of the ID with photo and signature (for applicants aged 18 and below)
• One original and photocopy of an ID with a photo of the applicant
• 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course certificate from an LTO-accredited driving school
• TIN, if employed

For foreigners: 

• Presentation of original and one photocopy of passport with entry date and visa duration of 6 months
• If born in the Philippines, submit a photocopy of the PSA Birth Certificate
• TIN, if employed
• Presentation of original and one photocopy of Certificate of Completion of the 15-hr Theoretical Driving Course

For Non-Professional Driver’s License:

• Duly accomplished Application Form for Driver’s License (ADL)
• Copy of the medical certificate given by an LTO-accredited clinic
• Original Student Driver’s Permit
• One parent/guardian consent that authorizes the minor applicant to secure a student permit and one photocopy of the ID with photo and signature (for applicants aged 18 and below)

For Professional Driver’s License:

• Duly accomplished Application Form for Driver’s License (ADL)
• Student permit (for light vehicles) or Non-professional Driver’s License for at least one year for heavy vehicles
• Copy of the medical certificate given by an LTO-accredited clinic
• TIN (if employed)
• NBI or Police Clearance

What are the qualifications for each type of permit/license?

Before securing a license, everyone must get a student permit first. It’s the first step to getting your own license. To clarify, a student permit is NOT a license yet. It’s just a permit you use to learn and practice driving with the supervision of a non-professional or professional driver’s license holder. You can’t use your student permit to drive alone.

Take note of the qualifications for the permit or type of license below:

Student Permit:

• At least 16 years of age for Filipino citizens
• At least 18 years of age and living in the Philippines for one year for foreigners
• Physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle
• Can read or write Filipino or English
• Accomplished the required 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course
• No unsettled traffic violations

Non-Professional Driver’s License:

• At least 17 years of age
• Physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle
• Can read or write in Filipino or English
• Must have passed the Theoretical Driving Course and the Practical Driving Course

Professional Driver’s License:

• At least 18 years of age
• Physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle
• Can read or write in Filipino or English
• Must not be alcoholic
• Must be neat and presentable

Now, what are the steps to obtain a student permit or license? Here’s how:

How to get a Student Permit

• Step 1: Prepare all the requirements to apply for an LTO student permit.
• Step 2: Ensure you have taken and passed the required TDC. If you haven’t, enroll in an LTO-accredited driving school first.
• Step 3: Go to an LTO office.
• Step 4: Submit your requirements.
• Step 5: Proceed to biometrics once your name is called. Have your photo and signature taken.
• Step 6: After biometrics, proceed to the cashier and pay for the student permit.
• Step 7: Claim your student permit and official receipt.

How to get a Non-Professional Driver’s License

• Step 1: Go to an LTO office and submit the requirements to the evaluation window.
• Step 2: Queue and wait for your number to be called for biometrics. Have your photo and signature taken.
• Step 3: Pay at the cashier.
• Step 4: Take the exam in the examination room and wait for the result.
• Step 5: Bring the result to the actual driving test. You may use your car or rent a vehicle for the driving test.
• Step 6: Proceed to the biometrics for your personal information, signature, fingerprint, and picture.
• Step 7: Wait for your non-professional license and receipt.

How to get a Professional Driver’s License

• Step 1: Go to an LTO office and submit your requirements.
• Step 2: Go to the biometrics and have your photo and signature taken.
• Step 3: Pay fees at the cashier.
• Step 4: Proceed to the exam room and wait for your exam results.
• Step 5: Take the Practical Driving Test.
• Step 6: If you pass the test, wait for your Professional Driver’s License and official receipt.

How much are the fees for each permit or license?

Fees depend on the type of vehicle, license, and driving school you’re applying for. There are driving schools that offer free TDC. Also, the type of vehicle and transmission (manual or automatic) determines the fee you must pay for the license. Make sure you know what vehicle you plan to use as you’ll need this in your license too.

For Student Permit:

• Student Permit fee: P150
• Application fee: P100
• Computer fee: P68
• Theoretical Driving Course fee: approximately P1500 to P2000
• Medical Certificate: approximately P500
• Total estimate: around P3,000*

For Non-Professional:

• Non-professional application fee: approximately P800
• Practical Driving Course fee: approximately P4,000 to P6,000
• Total estimate: around P7,000**

For Professional: 

• Application fee: P100
• Computer fee: P68
• License fee: P585
• Computer fee: P68
• Total estimate: around P900**

*estimate only; includes TDC

** estimate only; includes PDC

Other Important Notes:

• When going to an LTO office, please wear appropriate clothes. Sando, shorts, and slippers are not allowed.
• Before getting a license, a student permit is required.
• Before getting a student permit, taking the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course is required. There may be free TDCs available in some LTO offices. Check the nearest LTO to you.
• The student Permit expires after a year. Take the Practical Driving Course within the year, or renew your Student Permit once it expires.
• You can only use your Student Permit when driving if you’re accompanied by a Non-Professional or Professional Driver’s License holder.
• Know the vehicle you will be using. Is it manual or automatic? What vehicle are you operating– is it a tricycle, motorbike, or car?
• You need to know LTO Driving License Restriction codes and conditions, which will be assessed by an LTO evaluator. Conditions like wearing an eyeglass, needing special equipment, or daylight driving only will also appear on your license.

In the early 2000s, getting a driver’s license was much easier than it is now. We have required TDC and PDC to obtain a license, which means that you’ll have to learn from lectures and practice driving before you present yourself to LTO for their own written and practical exam. Though it’s more costly, these ways ensure that all soon-to-be drivers know their responsibility when they finally drive with a license.

Now that you know everything you need to prepare for a driver’s license, are you ready to finally get one? Once you do, drive responsibly!

Have you tried applying for a driver’s license before? How was your experience in getting one? Share it with us in the comment section below!

Source: lto.gov.ph

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