2021 LTO Driver’s License Guide: Requirements + Fees

I got my Non-Professional Driver’s License this January 2021. There are a lot of changes on application, fees and requirements and they said that it is harder and more expensive now compared before.

Since driving requires a lot of responsibility, I guess the additional requirements is valid to make sure that all drivers has the capability and knowledge to drive a vehicle.

To those who are planning to have their driver’s license soon, let me help you in giving you some guides on what to expect. I will update this post when I will have my drivers license renewal after 5 years.

Types of Driver’s License in the Philippines.

The following are three types of driver’s license in the Philippines

1. Student Permit – Every Professional and Non Professional Drivers are required to get a Student Permit first. The Student Permit or Student License authorizes its holder to drive a motor vehicle but in the presence of someone who holds a valid Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License. The student permit is only valid for one year and cannot be modified, revised, or renewed.
2. Non-Professional – A Non-Professional Driver’s License can give you the authority to drive/operate PRIVATE motor vehicles with up to 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Holders of this license will be able to drive vehicles with both manual and automatic transmission. Some of the vehicle types included in the weight limit are sedans, minivans, pickups, SUVs, and other passenger vehicles.
3. Professional – A Professional Driver’s License grants the driver (hired or paid) the authority to drive/operate motor vehicles whether for PRIVATE use or for hire to the PUBLIC. Professional Driver’s License holders are permitted to drive almost all types of vehicles, including motor vehicles exceeding 4,500 GVW like heavy construction equipment.

How to Get a Student Permit in the Philippines

1. Qualifications: Who can apply for a student permit?

• You must be a Filipino or foreign citizen whose age is 16 years old and above. 
• If you’re a holder of a driver’s license that has been expired for 10 years or more, you are no longer allowed to drive and is required by the LTO to apply for a student permit again.
• You must be able to read and write in English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect.
• You must be physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle.
• Attend at least 15 hours of theoretical driving lessons from any LTO-accredited driving school. Starting August 3, 2020, applicants who want to acquire a student permit should attend a 15-hour theoretical driving course. This new mandatory course, introduced through the Memorandum Circular No. 2019-2176. This additional requirement is part of the LTO’s goal of improving the quality of driver’s education and ensuring that the licenses are only issued to applicants who have the capability to drive to avoid or prevent street accident. You can avail the Theoretical Driving Course in accredited LTO driving schools nationwide. Here’s a video of my experience in applying for student permit last December 2020

• 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 the date of application.

2. Requirements.

a. Basic Requirements.

• Fully accomplished Driver’s License Application Form. This is also known as the Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form. You can download a copy via the official LTO website. 
• PSA-authenticated birth certificate (original and photocopy). If you don’t have a birth certificate, you can present any of the following instead: (a) Any legal document that can prove the applicant’s age and identity such as a valid Philippine 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)
• Original and photocopy of any government-issued ID with photo and signature of the applicant. No need to bring another government ID if you’re going to present your valid passport instead of your birth certificate (see the second requirement above).
• Taxpayer’s Identification Number or TIN, if you’re employed.
• Medical examination certificate (online only/electronically transmitted by the clinic). Medical certificates of Student Permit applicants should only come from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician. They are usually located in nearby LTO offices nationwide. As of this writing, the medical certificate costs Php 450 and is valid for two (2) months. You don’t need to provide urine or stool samples as the medical exam will only test/measure your vision, blood pressure, and overall medical condition. Although the clinic is responsible for electronically transmitting the certificate to the LTO, applicants will still be issued a hard copy which they should present on the day of their application.
• Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificates (electronically transmitted)

b. Additional Requirements.

For minors or applicants below eighteen (18) years old:

• Original copy of the duly notarized parent’s consent or an affidavit of the guardian authorizing the applicant to secure/apply for a student permit.
• 1 valid government-issued ID of consenting parent or guardian with photo and 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)

3. Fees: How much will it cost to apply for a student permit?

Here’s the breakdown of the fees you’ll need to pay when applying for a student permit:

• Medical examination: P450 to P500
• Theoretical Driving Course: FREE to P2,500 (mine is P1,500)
• Student Permit Fee: P317.63

TAKE NOTE: A student permit is only valid for one year.

How to Get a Non-Professional Driver’s License in the Philippines.

NOTE: The Non-Professional Driver’s License is an official license that will only enable you to drive PRIVATE vehicles. If you want to earn money driving public vehicles, then apply for a Professional Driver’s License instead.

Applications for a new Non-Professional Driver’s License can be submitted at any LTO District Office, Licensing Center, and Extension Office that processes Driver’s License transactions.

1. Qualifications: Who can apply for a Non-Professional Driver’s License?

As per the latest LTO Citizen’s Charter, you can apply for the Non-Professional Driver’s License if you meet the following qualifications:

• You must be a Filipino or a foreigner who is at least seventeen (17) years old. 
• You must be physically and mentally able to drive a motor vehicle. However, just because you have a medical condition doesn’t mean you’ll be completely barred from driving a vehicle. Depending on the physician who will assess you during the medical examination, you may be allowed to drive a vehicle provided that the appropriate condition code will be added in your driver’s license.
• You must be able to read and write English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect.
• You must be a holder of a valid Student Permit issued at least thirty (30) days before the Non-Professional Driver’s License application.
• You must have completed a minimum of 8 hours of practical driving lessons given by an LTO-accredited and TESDA-certified driving school (LTO will be offering the same services but at a lower rate for those who cannot afford to enroll in a driving school). This additional qualification is part of a new LTO policy implemented in early 2020. According to the Memorandum Circular No. 2019-2176, new driver’s license applicants are now required to complete a minimum of 8 hours of hands-on driving instruction that will teach student drivers how to competently operate a motor vehicle through lessons on start and stop; parking; road crossing and light traffic; backing and turning; maneuvering; highway driving; garage driving; night driving; and heavy traffic. This new program is part of the LTO’s vision to prevent, if not eliminate, road accidents by issuing licenses only to those who are capable of driving. 
• Must have passed the required written and practical exam after completing the 8-hour practical driving course.
• 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 the date of application.

Please watch my experience on the steps by steps guide on applying for Non-Professional Driver’s License.

2. Requirements

a. Basic Requirements.

• Completely filled out Driver’s License Application Form. Also known as the Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form.
• Valid Student Permit issued at least thirty (30) days before the date of application
• Medical examination certificate (online only/electronically transmitted by the clinic). You can use the one you’ve got from applying for student permit provided that it is before the 2 months expiration date.
• Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificates (electronically transmitted) to prove that you have completed the required practical instruction given by LTO or any LTO-accredited driving schools.

Fees: How much will it cost to apply for a Non-Professional Driver’s License?

The cost will depend on the Practical Driving Course that you will get from accredited driving schools. For motorcycles, the cost for an 8hr driving course is around P2,200 – P3,000. While for 4 wheels, it depends if it’s manual or automatic. The price ranges from P3,000- P6000 for a minimum of 8 hours lessons.

For Professional Driver License, everything is the same with Non-Professional Driver’s License except that you must be a holder of non-professional driver’s license for at least a year and a clearance from both NBI and PNP indicating that the applicant has not been convicted in any offense that involves moral turpitude or reckless imprudence resulting from reckless driving.

For the ultimate guide on applying for LTO Driver’s License, please visit – https://filipiknow.net/drivers-license-requirements/