A driver’s license is proof that you are eligible to drive a certain vehicle, and you have passed all the requirements set by the Land Transportation Office.

Having a car and knowing how to drive is not enough for a person to roam along roadways because driving also comes with responsibilities not only for your own safety but also with the people you may encounter along the road.

If you are planning to get a Driver’s License, this article will guide you with everything you need to know about getting a driver’s license here in the Philippines.

What is a Driver’s License?

A driver’s license in the form of an ID is issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) that authorizes a specific individual to use or operate one or more types of motorized vehicles such as motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road.

There are three types of driver’s license, namely:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Student Permit Application

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 Click Here
• Original and photocopy of PSA-authenticated birth certificate. If you don’t yet have a PSA Birth Certificate, you can click the link to learn how to get PSA Online.
• 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 Permit

1. 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.
2. Fill out the student driver permit application form.
3. Submit all the required documents.
4. You will be asked to recite the Driver’s Safety Pledge. They will encode your information into their system to generate a transaction number.
5. Your Biometrics will be taken.
6. Approval of your application.
7. Payment of the necessary fees. ( Php 100 application fee, Php 68 computer fee, and Php 150 student driver permit fee.
8. They are releasing the student driver permit along with the Official Receipt.

TAKE NOTE:

• A student permit is valid for one (1) year only.
• You can no longer be issued a Student Driver’s Permit unless you have completed the mandatory theoretical driving course given by the LTO or any of its duly accredited driving schools.
• A student driver’s permit is meant as a temporary permit only and is not considered a form of identification. Yet, in some cases, it can be accepted as a valid ID if it’s in a card format like when applying for a passport. It can also be used in SSS transactions along with the Official Receipt.
• You can start the application process for a Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License thirty days after the date of student permit issuance.

Non-Professional Driver’s License Application

The Non-professional driver’s license permits a person to drive or operate private vehicles only and has a validity of 5 years. Here’s everything you should know about applying for this type of driver’s license.

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 A 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 Licence

1. Go to the LTO office.
2. Submit your fully-accomplished driver’s license application form along with the other required documents to the receiving personnel.
3. The receiving personnel will check your documents if it’s complete, and then they will be forwarded to the evaluator.
4. Your application will be encoded in the system if you are qualified.
5. Proceed to the designated area for photo and signature capture.
6. Proceed to the cashier and pay all the necessary fees. This includes the following payment fees: Php 100 application fee, Php 67.73 computer fee, PHP 585 license fee, and another Php 67.63 additional computer fee.
7. You will take the Basic Driving Theory Exam for Non-Professional Driver’s License. Results will be given right after the written examination.
8. You would be directed to take the practical driving test if you passed the written examinations.
9. Your application will be approved once you passed both the written and practical examinations.
10. 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 Application

This type of driver’s license authorizes individuals to drive both private and public vehicles. Here is everything you need to know in applying for a professional driver’s license.

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.
• I should know how 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

1. Go to the LTO office.
2. Submit your fully-accomplished driver’s license application form along with the other required documents to the receiving personnel.
3. The receiving personnel will check your documents if it’s complete, and then they will be forwarded to the evaluator.
4. Your application will be encoded in the system if you are qualified.
5. Proceed to the designated area for photo and signature capture.
6. Proceed to the cashier and pay all the necessary fees. This includes the following payment fees: Php 100 application fee, Php 67.73 computer fee, PHP 585 license fee, and another Php 67.63 additional computer fee.
7. You will take the Basic Driving Theory Test. Results will be given right after the written examination.
8. You would be directed to take the practical driving test if you passed the written examinations.
9. Your application will be approved once you passed both the written and practical examinations.
10. 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.

Your driver’s license is also a valid ID here in the Philippines. You can use this in various transactions in government offices or agencies such as applying for a Philippines Passport, UMID ID, SSS, banking transactions, and many more.

Related Article:

Owning a Driver’s license doesn’t mean that you can do anything along the road. You should always consider the safety of persons inside your vehicle, other vehicle owners that you may encounter, and of course, your own safety. UMID Card