Need to get or renew your driver’s license soon? Check out this guide we made to make the process much easier for you to understand!
NOTE: Applicant must be at least 17-years-old and is a holder of a valid student’s permit issued at least 30 days prior to the application.
IMPORTANT: due to the ongoing pandemic, anyone below 21-years-old is not allowed to apply for a permit or a license and to drive for the time being. When going to an LTO office, remember to bring your face mask, face shield, your own ballpen, and alcohol.
Non-Professional Driver’s License
A non-professional driver’s license authorizes individuals to drive private vehicles of up to 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) only for personal purposes.
Qualifications:
- Must be 17-years-old and above
- Physically and mentally fit to drive
- Must be literate in both Filipino and English
- Must hold a valid Student Permit issued at least 30 days prior to application
- Must have passed the required written and practical exam after completing the practical driving course
- For Foreigners: must have been in the Philippines for at least 1 month and show proof of stay at least one year from driver’s license application
Requirements:
- Completed driver’s license application form
- Medical certificate proving they are fit to drive a motor vehicle (otherwise, stating their impairment) from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician (note: a physical copy must be given to you, while an electronic copy must be given by the clinic to LTO)
- Valid Student permit
- Practical Driving Course certificate (note: a physical copy must be given to you, while an electronic copy must be given by the clinic to LTO)
Additional requirements for foreigners:
- Original and photocopy of Passport that contains the following: Entry date of at least one month; and Visa duration of at least one year from the date of application
- PSA-authenticated Birth Certificate (original and photocopy) if born in the Philippines
- If applicant is a holder of a valid foreign driver’s license, they must present the following:
- Valid foreign driver’s license (original and photocopy)
- Official English translation of foreign driver’s license from Embassy of the issuing country, if not in English (original and photocopy)
Once you have all the requirements, head to the LTO Online Portal, create an account, and apply.
Professional Driver’s License
A professional driver’s license authorizes individuals to drive all kinds of vehicles exceeding 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) whether for private use or for public hire.
Qualifications:
- Must be 17-years-old and above
- Physically and mentally fit to drive
- Must be literate in both Filipino and English
- Must hold a non-professional driver’s license for at least one year (For Restriction Codes 1, 2, 4, and 6)Â
- Alternatively, you may also be a holder of a professional driver’s license for at least 6 months before application (For Restriction Codes 3, 5, 7, and 8)
- Must have passed the required written and practical exam after completing the practical driving course
- For Foreigners: must have been in the Philippines for at least 1 month and show proof of stay at least one year from driver’s license application
Requirements:
- Completed driver’s license application form
- Medical certificate proving they are fit to drive a motor vehicle (otherwise, stating their impairment) from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician (note: a physical copy must be given to you, while an electronic copy must be given by the clinic to LTO)
- Valid non-professional driver’s license
- Clearance from both the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police, indicating that the applicant has not been convicted of any offense that involves moral turpitude or reckless imprudence resulting from reckless driving
- Practical Driving Course certificate (note: a physical copy must be given to you, while an electronic copy must be given by the clinic to LTO)
Additional requirements for foreigners:
- Original and photocopy of Passport that contains the following: Entry date of at least one month; and Visa duration of at least one year from the date of application
- PSA-authenticated Birth Certificate (original and photocopy) if born in the Philippines
Once you have all the requirements, head to the LTO Online Portal, create an account, and apply.
How to Apply for a Non-Professional or Professional Driver’s License
- Sign in to your LTO online account (Register if you don’t have an account yet)
- Select “Licensing” and choose your license type after accepting the Terms of Use
- Add your Medical Certificate number and click verify (note: must be from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician)
- Choose between applying for a new license or renewal
- Complete the online application form
- Submit any required documents indicated
- Take note of the fees you’ll need to pay (note: convenience fees will be charged due to online processing)
- Choose your LTO branch of choice, and your preferred date and time of appointment
- Select your payment method
- Review transaction summary
- Take note of the e-payment and appointment disclaimers and click accept
- Your order summary and billing details will appear. Read and agree to the Terms and Conditions
- Choose your preferred payment method and process your payment
Once you’re done, simply head to your chosen LTO office on your scheduled appointment where you must take the Basic Driving Theory Test which is a written examination. Once you pass, you will then take your practical driving test (pay an additional fee of Php 250 to rent a car or Php 150 to rent a motorcycle, or use your own vehicle). After passing that as well, just follow the next steps that will be instructed to you to obtain your license.
NOTE:Â The LTO Online Portal has a reviewer for the Basic Driving Theory Test. Reviewing this e-learning module is highly encouraged for you to pass or even ace your written exam on the day of your application.
How to Renew a Non-Professional or Professional Driver’s License
Requirements:
- Completed driver’s license application form
- Medical certificate proving they are fit to drive a motor vehicle (otherwise, stating their impairment) from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician (note: a physical copy must be given to you, while an electronic copy must be given by the clinic to LTO)
- Original driver’s license and official receipt
Steps:
- Sign in to your LTO online account (Register if you don’t have an account yet)
- Apply for renewal and fill up the form
- Choose your LTO branch of choice, and your preferred date and time of appointment
- Confirm the schedule sent to your email
- Prepare the necessary documents and show up on your schedule
NOTE:Â The required attendance of the Driver’s Enhance Program Seminar of a minimum of 8 hours for all applicants renewing their licenses will only begin in October 2021, according to the LTO.
(ALSO READ: Complete List of Valid Government IDs in the Philippines)
Did we miss any steps? Let us know in the comments!
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