A driver’s license is a document given to car or motorcycle owners through an application to know if they have the right and capacity to operate vehicles on public roadways. This is to ensure that vehicle owners will maintain road safety and follow certain traffic rules to avoid disputes along the road.

Before getting your driver’s license, you have to submit various documents and pass a series of written and practical driving examinations that will determine if you are equipped with driving skills.

As a driver, you are not only responsible for your own life but also for the other drivers and passengers that you may encounter along the road. And if ever you encounter problems along the road, the first thing that police or road officers will ask you is your driver’s license. The absence of this ID will result in a violation being filed against you.

WHAT IS A DRIVER’S LICENSE?

A driver’s license is a document issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) that permits a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles such as a motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road. Driver’s License has three types; the student driver’s permit, non-professional, and professional driver’s license.

STUDENT DRIVER PERMIT

This type of driver’s license is applicable to those who are seventeen (17) years old and above. If you plan to obtain a non-professional and professional driver’s license, you have to get the student driver’s permit first. The student driver permit is valid for one (1) year only and it’s not allowed for modification, revision, and renewal.

STUDENT DRIVER PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS IN THE PHILIPPINES

If you are planning to have your non-professional and professional driver’s license, you have to obtain first a student driver’s permit. This permit will allow you to drive specific types of vehicles but with the accompaniment of a non-professional or professional driver’s license holder.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR STUDENT PERMIT APPLICATION

• Must be at least seventeen (17) years old.
• Must be able to read and write in English and Filipino.
• Must be physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle.
• Must have attended at least 15 hours of theoretical driving lessons conducted by any LTO- Accredited driving schools.

STUDENT DRIVER PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

• A fully accomplished driver’s license application form (you can download it at https://www.lto.gov.ph/lto-forms/file/2-application-for-driver-s-license.html
• Original and photocopy of PSA-authenticated birth certificate
• Medical certificate (Make sure that you take the medical examination at LTO-accredited clinics or physicians only. This will cost you not more than Php 500 which is valid for two (2) months.)
• Driving Course Completion Certificate (this is to prove that you have completed the required practical lessons given by the LTO or any LTO- accredited driving schools.)

Additional Requirements:

• Original and photocopy of PSA-Authenticated marriage certificate (for MARRIED WOMEN)
• Original and photocopy of Passport (FOR FOREIGNERS)

For applicants below eighteen (18) years old:

• Parental/guardian’s consent
• Valid ID of consenting parent/guardian with signature (original and photocopy)

STEPS IN APPLYING for STUDENT DRIVER PERMIT

Below are steps on how to apply for a driver’s license in the Philippines (STUDENT):

• Go to the LTO office.
• Proceed to the Customer Service Counter and request an application form and checklist of requirements.
• You will also be given a queue number.
• Filling in the application form. (Make sure to fill in all necessary information and details.)
• Submit your application form along with the required documents and queue number. (Make sure your requirements are complete to avoid any hassles in applying)
• The personnel in charge will ask you to recite the Driver’s Road Safety Pledge, and then they will encode your information into the system to generate a transaction number.
• Proceed to the Biometrics area and wait for your turn. Your photo and signature will be taken.
• Wait for the approval of your application.
• Proceed to the cashier and pay for the required payment fees. Wait for your number to be called. The required fees to pay are the following: Application fee of Php 100, Computer fee amounting to Php 68, and Student Permit fee amounting to Php 150
• Releasing your Student Driver Permit and your Official Receipt.
• Write your name on the document and affix your signature on their receiving log sheet.

NON-PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

A Non-Professional Driver’s License gives you the authority to drive/operate private automobiles with up to 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), regardless if it’s a manual or automatic transmission. This is valid for five (5) years.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR NON-PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE APPLICATION

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
• Must be physically and mentally fit to drive an automobile.
• Must be able to read and write English, Filipino, or any applicable language.
• Must be a holder of a student driver’s permit issued at least thirty (30) days before the Non-professional driver’s license application.
• Must have completed a minimum of 18 hours of practical driving lessons provided by an LTO-accredited and TESDA-certified driving school

REQUIREMENTS IN APPLYING for NON-PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

• Fully-accomplished driver’s license application form
• Valid Student Permit issued at least 30 days prior to the application date.
• Medical examination certificate (Make sure that you take the medical examination at LTO-accredited clinics or physicians only. This will cost you not more than Php 500 which is valid for two (2) months.)
• Driving Course Completion Certificate (Certificate (this is to prove that you have completed the required practical lessons given by the LTO or any LTO- accredited driving schools.)

Additional Requirements:

• Original and photocopy of PSA-Authenticated marriage certificate (for MARRIED WOMEN)
• Original and photocopy of Passport ( FOR FOREIGNERS)

STEPS IN APPLYING for NON-PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

Below are steps on how to apply for a driver’s license in the Philippines (NON-PROFESSIONAL):

• Go to the LTO office.
• Submit your fully-accomplished application form and the other required documents to the receiving personnel.
• The receiving personnel will check your documents if it’s complete and then they will be forwarded to the evaluator.
• Your application will be encoded in the system if you are qualified
• Proceed to the designated area for photo and signature capture.
• Proceed to the cashier and pay all the necessary fees. This includes the following payment fees: Php 100 for the application fee, Php 67.73 for the computer fee, and Php 585 for the license fee
• 63 for additional computer fee
• You will take the Basic Driving Theory Exam for Non-Professional Driver’s License. Results will be given right after the written examination.
• You will be directed to take the practical driving test if you passed the written examinations.
• Your application will be approved once you pass both the written and practical examinations.
• Your Non-Professional Driver’s License will be released along with the Official Receipt. Write your name and affix your signature on the release form.

PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

A Professional Driver’s License allows a driver (regardless if it’s hired or paid) the authority to drive or operate automobiles. Professional Driver’s License holders are allowed to drive almost all types of vehicles, including motor vehicles exceeding 4,500 GVW like heavy construction equipment. The Professional Driver’s License is valid for five (5) years.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE APPLICATION

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
• Must be physically and mentally fit 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 eight (8) hours of hands-on driving lessons provided by an LTO-accredited and TESDA-certified driving school.
• If you’re a FOREIGN APPLICANT, you must be residing in the Philippines for at least
• Must be a holder of a valid Non-Professional Driver’s license issued at least one (1) year prior to the date of application.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE APPLICATION

• Fully-accomplished driver’s license application form.
• Medical examination certificate (Make sure that you take the medical examination at LTO-accredited clinics or physicians only. This will cost you not more than Php 500 which is valid for two (2) months.)
• Valid Non-professional Driver’s license issued one year before the date of application.
• NBI and Police Clearance
• Driving Course Completion Certificate (Certificate (this is to prove that you have completed the required practical lessons given by the LTO or any LTO- accredited driving schools.)

Additional Requirements:

• Original and photocopy of PSA-Authenticated marriage certificate (for MARRIED WOMEN)
• Original and photocopy of Passport ( FOR FOREIGNERS)

STEPS IN APPLYING for PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

Below are steps on how to apply for a driver’s license in the Philippines (PROFESSIONAL):

• Go to the LTO office.
• Submit your fully-accomplished application form and the other required documents to the receiving personnel.
• The receiving personnel will check your documents if it’s complete and then they will be forwarded to the evaluator.
• Your application will be encoded in the system if you are qualified
• Proceed to the designated area for photo and signature capture.
• Proceed to the cashier and pay all the necessary fees. This includes the following payment fees: Php 100 for the application fee, Php 67.73 for the computer fee, Php 585 for the license fee, and Php 67.63 for the additional computer fee
• You will take the Basic Driving Theory Test. Results will be given right after the written examination.
• You will be directed to take the practical driving test if you passed the written examinations.
• Your application will be approved once you pass both the written and practical examinations.
• Your Non-Professional Driver’s License will be released along with the Official Receipt. Write your name and affix your signature on the release form.