How to Apply for a Drivers License Philippines (2023)

How to Apply for a Drivers License Philippines (2023)

Since last year, there have been several changes to the requirements for acquiring a student permit  and driver’s licence in the Philippines. To qualify, you must be a Filipino citizen at least 16 years old, or a foreigner who has resided in the country for a minimum of one month and can provide proof of residence for up to six months, and be physically and mentally fit to drive vehicles. In addition. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a student permit and a drivers license in the Philippines this 2023:

Jose Arturo Tugade is New LTO Chief

Step 1: Apply to an LTO accredited driving school

Step 2: Complete 15 hours of online courses at saferoads. ph and pass their final exam with at least 80%.

You will need to bring the following documents when you take the final exam: 

  • Photo Copy of your PSA Birth Certificate
  • Photo Copy of your Marriage Certificate (for married women)
  • Mobile device with enough internet data (for online final assessment)
  • Valid ID
  • Ballpen
  • Vaccination Card (Digital copy is allowed)
  • Official Receipt of Online Theoretical Driving Course Application
  • Certificate of Completion (Digital copy is allowed)

Do note that LTO does offer driving courses for free within the NCR area. Read here to know more about it.

Step 3: After taking and passing the online exam they will give you a schedule as to when you can take the final physical exam.

When you arrive to take the final exam, the facilitator will ask you to do the following:

  1. Go to https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/ 
  2. Sign up for an account and validate your email (This will be your permanent LTO account).
  3. Go to profile and fill up your address and civil status.
  4. After the exam, fill up the given paper to write down your LTO Client ID and personal details. Note that you must also pass the physical examination with the same passing score as the online exam. 
  5. Show your exam score and submit the documents
  6. Your picture will be taken for the certificate of completion provided by LTO.

Once you pass both exams, the driving school will process your certificate of completion in about 2-3 working days. 

  • Please note that LTO recently removed this requirement last April 15, 2023. However, they have not yet made an official announcement regarding this change.

 

Step 4: Once you completed the online courses and physical exam, you are now eligible to apply for a student’s permit in LTO and must bring the following:

  • Original PSA birth certificate
  • Certificate of Completion issued by LTO.

and you can now move on to the practical driving course and complete 8 hours. 

And that’s it! You now have your student’s permit, went through a practical driving course, and you are now eligible to apply for a Non-Professional license.

 

To apply for a Non-Professional Driver’s License in the Philippines, you must be at least 17 years old (or 18 if you’re a foreigner), physically and mentally capable of driving, able to read and write in English, Filipino, or a local dialect, have a valid Student Permit for at least one month, and you must also have no unsettled traffic violations. Here are the steps on how to apply for a Non-Professional driver’s license:

 

Step 1: Go to your nearest or preferred LTO branch.

Bring your student permit and complete your Application for Permits and License (APL) form. Submit the form and your queue number to the cashier for processing and payment.

 

Step 2: Take the written examination.

Take the written examination. If you fail, you may come back the following day to retake the examination. But if you pass, you may proceed to the actual driving test.

Step 3: Take the actual driving test.

An LTO officer will accompany you inside the vehicle to take score. If you fail, you may re-take the test as soon as the next working day. But if you fail on your second attempt, you will not be permitted to retake the exam and apply for a driver’s license within a year. On the other hand, if you are unsuccessful on your third attempt, you will be required to wait for two years before you can retake the test and re-apply for a license. If you pass you may proceed to the cashier for payment of fees.

 

How to Renew Your Driver’s License in 2022

Step 5: Proceed to the encoding/biometric window.

 Accomplish the needed requirements and wait for your license to be released. The processing time may vary depending on the LTO branch, but you will typically receive your license within a few hours or minutes of your application unless there are complications with your application.

As of this writing, your drivers license might be printed on paper due to the dwindling supply of license cards.

 

That wraps up our guide on how to apply for a drivers license in the Philippines this 2023. Keep in mind that driving is a privilege and comes with a great responsibility. Always obey traffic rules and regulations, and prioritize safety while driving. Remember, it’s not just your own safety at risk, but also the safety of your passengers and other motorists on the road.

Article written by Allodia Romblon.



1 Comment

  • Angie Arribe Halichic , September 15, 2023

    How to apply license in online

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