How to get Drivers’ License in the Philippines
Before one can drive any motorized vehicle on the road, one should first acquire a driving license. A license is very important for it signifies and assured that you know how to drive and more importantly, you understand traffic rules and signs.
The Land Transportation Office or LTO is a government organization that provides driving licenses to drivers in the Philippines. They also execute traffic rules and regulations. They are also in charge of penalizing traffic violators. Anything that relates to traffic, they are responsible for it.
LTO has several office locations around the country. Every province should have one to provide convenience to people of their border. But anyone can have their licenses from any branch offices from different provinces.
A Student Driver’s License is a pre-requisite to a Non-Professional or Professional Driver’s license. In acquiring this, here are some tips.
- Prepare the requirements. Go to LTO site and look for the requirements. Make sure you have them with you when you go to an LTO branch to avoid inceonvenience. Accomplished application form, Birth certificate and ID picture are the most important you should have. Make sure that your Bith certificate is NSO certified. Have a photocopy so you can keep the original in future needs.
- Be early as possible. LTO operations start at 8:00 AM. The offices are usually crowded everyday and you do not want to wait long , do you? If your papers will be the first on their queue, you would decrease the chance of paying extras to fasten the processing. You know what I mean. Need I explain more?
- Show respect to the officers. Eventhough you are paying for their sevice, they usually do not observe the principle of ‘Customer is always right.’ Not even if you pay under-the-table cash. So the only way to have their good mood on you is keep them respected.
After you have your student license, you have to wait for a month to be able to acquire a Non-Professional or Professional license. Do not forget to bring the requirements when applying for one.
These tips are more appropriate for Filipino citizens acquiring licenses only. If you are not a filipino who wants to acquire driving license here, please check the requirements from LTO site.
Written by A. Cantos on June 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment
June 12th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Hello Aldrin,
You should have heard me rolling in laughter when I read “Need I explain more?” - hilarious story. You made my day. I normally dislike reading people’s long story but your story kept my eyes on while laughing my guts out!
Thank heavens, I no longer live in the Philippines. At least being in UK, clerks over the counter work faster and don’t expect extra money (bribery) from customers. Simply say “Thank you.” makes a difference in their daily routine work dealing with diverse customers in thousands.
Cheers,
Lanie
June 15th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Thanks. I’m glad to know that my post was able to make your day. You are lucky indeed to not be in here. ‘Only in the Philippines’.
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:46 am
How long does it take to get a nonprofessional license, if u have already had a student license for 1 month?
October 27th, 2007 at 4:41 am
it usually take about 3 hrs including medical exams, drug test etc.