How to Get a Drivers License in the Philippines: Easy Guide 2023

Before you can freely drive any vehicle, may it be private or public, the government requires you to have a driver license first.

Table of Contents

What is Drivers License?

A drivers license is an official document issued by the government that serves as permission to drive a vehicle in the country.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is the one in charge with the processes and has implemented changes to the license application process in 2021, such as the mandatory 15-hour theoretical driving course to further ensure public safety.

LTO New Restriction Codes

In January of 2021, the LTO overhauled the format of the restriction code system. A combination of the codes will state what the license holder can and cannot drive. It can be broken down into three parts:

Driver’s license code
Vehicle category
Driver’s license classification

Driver’s license code

A. Motorcycle
A1. Tricycle
B. Up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight/8 seats
B1. Up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight/9 or more seats
B2. Goods less than or equal to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight
C. Goods greater than 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight
D. Bus greater than 5000 kg gross vehicle weight/9 or more seats
BE. Trailers less than or equal to 3,500 kg
CE. Articulated goods greater than 3,500 kg combined gross vehicle weight.

Vehicle Category

Motorcycle

L1 – two wheels with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h
L2 – three wheels with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h
L3 – two wheels with a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h

Tricycle/Quadricycle etc.

L4 – motorcycle with sidecars with a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h
L5 – three wheels symmetrically arranged with a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h
L6 – four wheels whose unladen mass is not more than 350 kg with maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h
L7 – four wheels whose unladen mass is not more than 550 kg with maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h

Cars, trucks, busses, and trailers

M1 – vehicles that go up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight with not more than 8 passenger seats
M2 – vehicles up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight with more than 8 passenger seats
M3 – Vehicles above 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight with more than 8 passenger seats
N1 – vehicles up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight for carriage of goods
N2 – vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight for the carriage of goods
N3 – vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight for the carriage of goods
01 – Articulated vehicle in either manual or automatic vehicle not more than 750 kg gross vehicle weight
02 – Articulated manual or automatic vehicle exceeding 750 up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight
03 – Articulated vehicle manual or automatic exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight
04 – Articulated vehicle manual or automatic exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight

Driver’s license classification

NPL – Non-professional driver’s license
PL – Professional driver’s license

Clutch restriction code

AT – Automatic transmission
MT – Manual Transmission

If you are looking for a standard license to drive a car and motorcycle, then these are the codes you want if you can drive both automatic and manual transmission vehicles:

A: L1, L2, L3 – NP – AT/MT – (Condition code)

B: M1, M2, N1 – NP – AT/MT – (Condition code)

The condition code will depend on if you need sensory aids or physical aids to operate a motorized vehicle.

Restriction code conversion

If you’re renewing your license, your old restriction code will be converted to the new restriction code by the LTO. You will have to dictate what kind of code you will get, and then apply for the specific code.

What are the Types of Drivers License?

1. Student Permit

A student permit is a prerequisite for a drivers license, authorizing you to drive a vehicle if a licensed driver is accompanying you. This kind of permit is valid for one year.

2. Non-Professional License

A non-professional drivers license allows you to drive any licensed private vehicle. You have 12 months to apply for this type of license right after your student permit was issued.

3. Professional License

A professional drivers license is the type to get if you want to drive for a living.

What are the Requirements for a Drivers License?

1. Student Permit

Here are the requirements:

Applicant must be at least 16 years old
Duly accomplished Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) Form
One photocopy and an original LTO-accredited medical certificate
Original and one photocopy of the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificate
Original and one photocopy of a valid government ID
For minors, a notarized parental or guardian’s consent with a valid government ID
If employed, a Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)

2. Non-Professional License

Here are the requirements:

Must be at least 17 years old
Duly accomplished APL Form
One photocopy and original LTO-accredited medical certificate
Original and one photocopy of Practical Driving Course (PDC)
Original valid student permit
For minors, a notarized parental or guardian’s consent with a valid government ID
f employed, a Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)

3. Professional License

Here are the requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old
Must have no unsettled traffic violations
Duly accomplished APL Form
One photocopy and original LTO-accredited medical certificate
Original and one photocopy of PDC
Original valid student permit or non-professional drivers license
Original and photocopy of birth certificate
Valid NBI Clearance or Police Clearance
LTO Client ID
TIN

How to Apply for a Drivers License?

Step 1: Take a Theoretical Driving Course

Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) is a course program that you need to take before you apply for a student permit.

Once you’ve completed the TDC and passed the written exam, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, which you’ll submit together with other requirements to process your student permit application.

Step 2. Apply for a Student Permit

Submit an accomplished application form along with the other requirements to the LTO office.
Have your photo taken and affix your signature in the designated area.
Once your application is approved, head to the cashier to pay.
You will receive your student permit in the form of an official receipt.

A student permit will cost you around ₱300 for around an hour of processing at the LTO office.

Step 3: Enroll in a Practical Driving Course

The next step is to take at least eight hours of practical driving lessons from any LTO or TESDA-accredited driving school in the Philippines.

Once completed, you’ll receive a Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificate, which is a requirement for your non pro or professional drivers license application.

Step 4: Undergo a Medical Examination

Go through a medical exam (which will cost around ₱500) at any LTO-accredited clinics. Such clinics are located within or near the LTO office premises, you can have your medical exam on the day of your drivers license application.

Step 5: Apply for a Drivers License at the LTO Office

Applying for a non-professional or professional license:

Go to your preferred LTO office and submit your requirements.
Once your documents are approved, pay all fees to the cashier.
Take the written and practical exams.
The approving officer will approve your application if you get through both exams.
Have your photo taken and affix your signature.
Your drivers license and official receipt will be given to you by LTO, and you will be required to sign the Release Form.

How to Renew Your Drivers License

Make sure you always have a valid license, as penalties and legal consequences may apply when you drive with an expired license.

Here’s you need to know about the process:

Who can renew drivers license?

Holders of professional/non-professional license that is not expired for over two years
Professional/non-professional license holders leaving the country and whose license is due for renewal within one year

Note: Responsible drivers who have maintained clean records can qualify for a 10-year license reward. But those with at least one traffic offense will be eligible for a five-year license.

What are the requirements for drivers license renewal?

LTO-accredited medical certificate
Original professional or non-professional drivers license
Printed copy of Comprehensive Drivers Education (CDE) certificate with at least a 50% passing score

How to renew your drivers license?

Secure a CDE certificate online with at least 50% passing score taken from the LTMS online portal.
Visit the nearest LTO office, licensing center, or LTO renewal office in select malls to submit all required documents.
Once the receiving personnel confirm that your documents are valid and complete, have your biometrics and photo taken.
LTO will release your new driver’s license and an official receipt. You will need to affix your name and signature on the release form.

How much do driver’s license applications and renewals cost?

Student permit: ₱1,000–₱5,500
Professional and Non-professional license: ₱4,000–₱8,000
Student permit renewal: ₱250–₱400
Driver’s license renewal: ₱685–₱1,000

Where can you take the theoretical driving course, and how much is the fee?

The cost of theoretical driving instruction at an LTO-accredited driving school is about ₱2,000 on average.

What to do if you lose your driver’s license?

In case you lose your current license, you may apply for a new one at any LTO district office or licensing center.

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