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 | 38 Comments Leave a Comment
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
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’.
How long does it take to get a nonprofessional license, if u have already had a student license for 1 month?
it usually take about 3 hrs including medical exams, drug test etc.
I intend to drive in the Philippines during my 4 weeks stay. Can I use my UK Driver’s License instead of getting a Philippine driver’s License?
Thanks. Your reply is highly expected and appreciated.
Foreign licenses are allowed to be used temporarily up to 3 months from date of arrival.
hello, can anyone please tell me, how much it costs to have an international driving license in the philippine and what should i prepare before i go?
thanx in advance!
please answer me at samuel82@live.it
Hi, I’m 16 and an american citizen..gonna stay in the philippines for a year…can I get a student drivers license? If so,will that let me drive by myself anywhere? Becuz here I can get my learners permit but I need an adult with a license in the same vehicle everytime I drive…..
You might be able to get a student’s license BUT you need to have a licensed driver with you when you drive…
Hi,
I plan to mve to the Philippines in July, I have a full
british licence is this ok if i take my other relevant
documents to LTO
Regards Lloyd
.i just wanna know what does STUDENTS permit actually means how is it different from the others?
pls answer.
thank yOu:]
Yes, your British license and other documents will suffice. In fact, you can easily get a Philippine driver’s license at any LTO Branch. Good luck!
@baby, when you avail a student permit, it means you are a student driver which requires to be accompanied by a professional when driving. After a month you’ll be eligible to avail Non-pro or Professional license.
I am a Filipino who has 2 driver’s licenses from 2 different Middle East countries, which are still valid. I am coming home for only 3 weeks for vacation and everytime I come home, I do not have enough time to ungo to get a student license firsth and then go for exams. Is it possible for me to transfer one of the said licenses into a non-professional one?
I am not sure, but it might depend on the country which issued your license. For more information, try LTO’s web site.
hey there nice with all the information about it… I just wonder if I got a liciense form another country then how do I change it to a filipino liciense so I can drive there forever? if I know choose to live there the rest of my life.
thanks a lot for help and your time
You just need to go to the nearest LTO branch and tell them you want to get a Philippine drivers’ license. You should have to take the test (written and practical), have a drug test, and pay the regular fees. Good luck!
i already have my students license but it has not been a month yet since I get it (20 days actually). will LTO let me rush my non prof license? Thanks!
In fairness to LTO, I don’t think I’ve bribed anyone there for the past three license renewals.
I think I’m down to bribing traffic policemen (they insist you give them anyway).
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN THAILAND FOR 3 MONTHS,I HAVE 40 HOURS DRIVING WITH AN INTRUCTOR.I
CAN DRIVE VERY WELL NOW.NO PROBLEMS
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET PHILIPPINE DRIVING LICENCE.
I AM A PHILIPPINO CITIZEN FROM CAGAYAN DE ORE
JACQUE
hi im here in canada,and i just want to know how to get an international drivers license,
hey i know your post is like 2 years ago but i need a reply asap.uhm how much does the non pro license cost now? with all the requirements and everything i mean.and is it ok if i get my non pro a year after i got my student’s permit? please please respond asap. thank you sooo much
Judy-I am not sure about the costs now, but it shouldn’t be more than a couple of thousand all in. Make sure that you do not deal with fixers.
sir. wer did u do the practical test? was the owner jeep hard to drive?
did u drive in the road?
hi can you give me some example for the exam in lto for prof . .plessssss
you can send it here at my email add @ testduds@yahoo.com
hi sir! i went to LTO this morning at 10.30am, an officemate of mine told me he has a friend there, and i will just approached him so my office mate gave me his LTO friend.. i ask the his friend (LTO employee) how to get a student permit today and after that non prof licence… so he said ok and give me an application… after a few minutes as I gave him the finished fill-uped application, he asked for an ID showing my birthday and luckily i had with me BIR id. i showed it to him and gave him a photocopy of it.. he THEN SAID THAT I WILL NOT TAKE ANY EXAM, OR ANY REQUIREMENTS AND ASKED ME FOR A MONEY OF 1472 ! I WAS SHOCKED BUT I DIDN’T TALKED.. SPEECHLESS. I GAVE HIM 1500 AND HE ASKED FOR 20PHP..I THOUGHT HE WILL GIVE ME THE CHANGE BECAUSE HE SAID IT WILL COST 1472 AND AFTER 1 MONTH, THAT WILL BE AUG 28, 2010 I CAN GET MY NON PROF AND I HAVE TO PAY THE BALANCE OF 1500! ALL IN ALL, IT COST ME 3020! PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME.THIS IS MY FIRST TIME EVER TO HAVE THIS SITUATION… THEY ARE SO MEAN…
Hey I’m 15 going 16 in October first.Im also a guy, BTW. I’m going to get my license after my birthday after I celebrate my birthday. So does this mean after a month using my Students permit, I can already avail Non-Professional Liscence, even though I would still be 16?
Answers will be appreciated, Thank you :]
^That’s super expensive. You have been ripped off. A1 has a licensing assistance service P1,800 for non-pro license. I took a written exam but that’s was if you at least know your basic road signs and safety.
hi what kind of medical exams will I encounter when I apply a non-pro license. Do I still need injections or what so ever or can I do my medical exams to the other doctor?
i want to get a professional license but i am required to have a tin number. the BIR did not allow me for the reason that i don’t have work.
I will having an examination for getting a non-prof… license..
Can you give some tips to pass the exam and maybe some familiar questions…thanx..
If driving in Philippines on a UK licence you will need an international driving permit, which is issued by the AA on hehalf of the sectretary of state for the DVLA.. You will need your full driving licence, the paper bit and the photo card along with £14 and two passport fotos.
There available from selected post offices in the UK (in North East England its Sunderland) and they can be issued there and then..
I’m a Filipino citizen and i’m out of the country and will stay here for a year. How can i get a non-professional license in the Phils? I already have a student permit. Thanks!
I’m a Filipino citizen and planning to have my International driving license.after my license release.is it possible for me to use it in England.or do i need to take another test in england?for me to drive there.
if ever i will get my license it is necessarily for me to know how to drive first before getting license. or license first before knowing how to drive?.. can i ask also if CCTMO is allowed to captured somebody study how to drive inside the subdivision? traffic official here in Tungko San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.
Hoping for your response on my question.
thanks!
Very Informative Post and comments.
is it possible to upgrade my license from SL to non-pro from a different LTO Branch? I acquired my SL here in Pampanga and i’m planning to upgrade it in Manila.
You may want to check this online reviewer i stumbled upon while looking for some reading material for my up coming non-pro exam http://ltoexam.boxpinoy.com
My son have a student driver’s permit / license. Can he drive wiht me as the companion? I have a non-professional driver’s license. Is it really required that he be acompanied by a Professional Driver’s license holder? Thank you.