How to apply for a Driver’s License in the Philippines

Types of driver’s license in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) provides three types of driver’s licenses. Depending on an individual’s driving
skills, they fall on the following category: student permit, non-professional permit, and professional permit. These permits are given
in tiers or stages, rookie drivers are given a student permit while experienced drivers are granted with the professional license.
An individual who is at least 17 years old can immediately qualify for a student permit, provided that they undergo LTO’s screening
or test. This can then be upgraded to a non-professional license one month after acquiring the student permit, and later on to a
professional license after 6 months.
It’s quite a lengthy application process because it requires a written and a driving exam for a non-professional or professional
license.

Student driver permit (SP)

This driver’s license is granted to new drivers who are less experienced in driving. It’s basically used for drivers who are still learning
how to drive. This driver’s license can be converted to a non-professional driver’s license after 30 days it was granted.

Qualification

1. Must be at least seventeen (17) years old.

2. Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle.
3. Must be able to read and write in Filipino or English or the applicable local dialect.
4. In addition, for foreigners, the applicant must be eighteen (18) years old and must have been in the Philippines for at least one (1)
year from the date of application.

Documentary requirements

 Duly accomplished Application form for Driver’s License (ADL). Download here.
 Original and photocopy of birth certificate duly authenticated by National Statistics Office (NSO).
 If below eighteen (18) years of age, original copy of parental/guardian consent with original and photocopy of one (1) valid
government issued Identification Card containing the signature of the consenting parent/guardian.
 Medical Certificate issued by any licensed practicing physician stating that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to operate a
motor vehicle or otherwise stating his/her impairment.
 In addition, for foreigners, original and photocopy of passport with entry date of at least one (1) month and visa duration of at least
one (1) year from date of application, or if born in the Philippines, present original and photocopy of birth certificate duly
authenticated by the NSO.

Application process
1. Submit all the documentary requirements to the receiving personnel

 Receiving personnel shall check only the completeness of the documents required and transmit the same to an evaluator.
 The Evaluator shall evaluate the qualifications of the applicant and, if qualified, encode the application in the system.
 After encoding, the application shall be approved by the Approving Officer.
2. Upon approval, the applicant shall be called for photo and signature taking.
3. Pay the required fees to the Cashier.
4. The SP Card with the Official Receipt shall be released to the applicant, who shall be required to write his/her name and affix
his/her signature in the appropriate Release Form.

 A reviewer containing all possible questions in the examinations for the issuance of an NPDL, PDL shall be given to the applicant
together with SP Card.

The cost of a student permit

Application Fee ₱100.00

Computer Fee ₱ 67.63

Student Permit Fee ₱150.00

TOTAL ₱317.63
 Non-professional driver’s license (NPDL)
A non-professional driver’s license has the same qualification as the student driver’s license. However, only student permit holders
can only convert their license to this after 30 days from the date their student permit was granted and will have to undergo a
screening process that entails a written and practical examination.
Non-professional driver’s license holders will be eligible to drive motorcycles and vehicles with a gross weight no higher than 4,500
kilograms (with either manual or automatic transmission) such as sedans, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), pickups, minivans and most
passenger vehicles.

Qualification

1. Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.

2. Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle.
3. Must be able to read and write Filipino, English or the applicable local dialect.
4. Must be a holder of a valid SP issued at least thirty (30) days prior to the application.
5. In addition, for foreigners, the applicant must have been in the Philippines for at least one (1) month with proof that he/she will stay
in the country for at least one (1) year from the date of application.

Documentary requirements

1. Duly Accomplished Application for Driver’s License (ADL). Download here.

2. Valid SP issued at least thirty (30) days from the date of application.
3. Medical Certificate issued by any licensed practicing physician stating that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to operate a
motor vehicle or otherwise stating his/her impairment.
4. In addition, for foreigners, original and photocopy of passport with entry of at least one (1) month and visa duration of at least one
(1) year from the date of application, or if born in the Philippines, present original and photocopy of birth certificate duly
authenticated by the NSO.
Some notes:
In the event that the applicant is a holder of a valid Foreign Driver’s License, the applicant may present the original and photocopy of
Foreign Driver’s License, if not in English language, original and photocopy of official English translation from Embassy of the issuing
country instead of an SP.

Application process
1. Submit all the documentary requirements to the receiving personnel

 Receiving personnel shall check only the completeness of the documents required and transmit the same to the evaluator
 The evaluator shall evaluate the qualifications of the applicant and, if qualified, encode the application in the system.
2. Photo and signature taking.
3. Pay the required fees to the Cashier.
4. Written examinations in the form of the Basic Driving Theory Test for NPDL and will be immediately informed of the results of the
same.
5. An applicant who passes the written examinations for NPDL shall be required to immediately take the practical driving test for the
Restriction Code/s (RC) applied for.
6. Upon approval, the NPDL card with the Official Receipt shall be released to the applicant, who shall be required to write his/her
name and affix his/her signature in the appropriate Released Form.

Some notes

 Applicants who fail to pass the Basic Driving Theory Test and/or the Practical Driving Test shall not be allowed to take the same test
within a period of one (1) month from the date of the last examination.

 If the Applicant fails to pass any of the written or practical examinations twice within a period of one (1) year, he/she shall not be
allowed to apply for the same within a period of one (1) year from the date of the last examination.

 If the applicant fails to pass any of the written or practical examinations thrice, he/she shall no longer be allowed to apply for the
same for a period of two (2) years from the time of latest failure.

 However, in case the application is only for additional Restriction Code/s (RC), he/she shall be allowed to renew his/her NPDL and,
for this purpose, such shall be annotated on the record of the applicant.
 Professional driver’s license (PDL)
A professional license can enable an individual to drive almost all types of vehicle in the country including those which weighs more
than 4,600 kilograms and above, such as trucks and heavy construction equipment.

Qualification

1. Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.

2. Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle.
3. Must be able to read and write Filipino, English or the applicable local dialect.
4. For RC 1,2,4 and 6 – must be a holder of valid Student Permit (SP) issued at least six (6) months prior to the application.
5. For RC 3,5,7 and 8 – must be a holder of valid Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL) at least one (1) year prior to the application
or PDL holder with RC 1,2,4 and 6 for a period of at least six (6) months prior to the application.
6. Must not have been cited for two (2) or more counts of reckless driving during the period of validity of his/her existing license.
7. In addition, for foreigners, the applicant must have been in the Philippines for at least one (1) month with proof that he/she will stay
in the country for at least one (1) year from date of application and is allowed to work herein.

Documentary requirements

1. Duly accomplished Application for Driver’s License (ADL). Download here.

2. For RC 1,2,4 and 6 – Must be a holder of a valid SP issued at least six (6) months prior to the application.
3. For RC 3,5,7 and 8 – Must be a holder of a valid NPDL issued at least one (1) year prior to the application or PDL holder with RC 1,2,4
and 6 for a period of at least six (6) months prior to the application.
4. Medical Certificate issued by any licensed practicing physician stating that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to operate a
motor vehicle.
5. The clearance that the applicant has not been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude or reckless imprudence resulting
from reckless driving from all the following:
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); and
• Philippine National Police (PNP).

1. In addition, for foreigners, original and photocopy of passport with entry of at least one (1) year from the date of application, or if
born in the Philippines, present original and photocopy of birth certificate duly authenticated by the NSO.

Application process
1. Submit all the documentary requirements to the receiving personnel.

 Receiving personnel shall check only the completeness of the documents required and transmit the same to an evaluator.
 The evaluator shall evaluate the qualifications of the applicant and, if qualified, encode the application in the system.
2. Proceed to photo and signature taking.
3. Pay the required fees to the cashier.
4. Undergo written examinations in the form of the PDL Basic Driving Theory Test for the Restriction Code/s (RC) applied for.
5. After passing the written examinations, you’ll be required to take the practical driving test for the Restriction Code/s (RC) you
applied for immediately.
6. After passing both examinations, your application will be approved by the Approving Officer.
7. Upon approval, the PDL card with the Official Receipt shall be released to the applicant, who shall be required to write his/her
name and affix his/her signature in the appropriate Release Form.

Fees for NPL and PL

Application Fee ₱100.00

Computer Fee ₱67.63

License Fee ₱585.00

Computer Fee ₱67.63

TOTAL ₱820.26