July 06, 2023

GUIDE: How to Apply for a Driver’s License in the Philippines This 2023

Updated as of June 27, 2023

A driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the Philippines is one of the primary IDs that a citizen or a foreigner could have. However, you’ll find that there are drastic changes in the procedures since 2021 when it comes to newly registering for a license or renewing your already existing one.

Read on for an updated guide on how to apply for or renew your driver’s license in the Philippines!

IMAGE from LTO’s Official Facebook page

Step 1: Get a Student Permit

If you are new to driving and aspire to get a driver’s license in the Philippines, you will be required by LTO to get a Student Permit from any of their district offices or extension offices. You may find the LTO Directory here.

To obtain this permit, a student driver must be at least 16 years old. You would also have to attend a Mandatory 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course, equivalent to three (3) workshop sessions, which aims to educate student drivers on road signages, road safety, and other basics of driving. This is given only by LTO and their accredited driving schools across the Philippines.

IMAGE from LTO’s Official Facebook page

Once you have successfully accomplished this, you will be given a Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificate, which is only one of the requirements for a Student Permit.

Other requirements are as follows:

Duly accomplished Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) Form (Download here.)
One photocopy and an original LTO-accredited medical certificate
Original and one photocopy of the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificate
Original and one photocopy of a valid government ID
A notarized parental or guardian’s consent with a valid government ID (for minors only)
Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) (if employed only)

Note: Foreign nationals who want to apply for a driver’s license in the Philippines must be at least 18 years years old and must have stayed in the Philippines for at least one month and have proof of residence for up to six months.

Step 2: Secure a Non-Professional Driver’s License

After getting your Student Permit, you will have a month to a year of securing your Non-Professional Driver’s License. This type of license will now permit you to drive a licensed, private car. To obtain this type of license, remember that you must be at least 17 years old. Your Student Permit will be one of the requirements that you will be submitting to LTO.

Aside from this, you would have to accomplish a Practical Driving Course (PDC), a mandatory eight-hour hands-on driver training where a student driver will experience driving on public roads. After successfully accomplishing this training, you will be given a PDC certificate, which is one of the requirements of LTO to secure your Non-Professional Driver’s License.

Other requirements are as follows:

Duly accomplished APL Form
One photocopy and original LTO-accredited medical certificate
A notarized parental or guardian’s consent with a valid government ID (for minors only)
TIN (if employed only)

IMAGE from LTO’s Official Facebook page

Applying for an International Driving Permit in the Philippines

Now, if you’re currently in the Philippines and are hoping to drive abroad, you will need a Philippine International Driving Permit (PIDP). This is issued only by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and its accredited travel agencies including the LGCT Travel and Tours, Hello PH Travel Agency, DLS Travel and Tours, and LHOYS Travel and Tours.

Whether you’re a foreign national with dual citizenship or a permanent resident of the country, you may apply for a PIDP with these new application requirements.

For Dual Citizens:

Original and photocopy of valid Philippine driver’s license
Two (2) pieces 2×2 colored ID picture with white background
Php 4,144 processing fee
Original passport
Photocopies of pages from your passport indicating your date of last arrival in the Philippines

For Permanent Residents:

Original and photocopy of valid Philippine driver’s license
Two (2) pieces 2×2 colored ID picture with white background
Php 4,144 processing fee
Original passport
Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)

Note: AAP has a list of countries where the PIDP is allowed. You may view the list here. Licenses printed on paper or card from the LTO are both accepted as valid requirement.

Converting Your Foreign Driver’s License to a Philippine Driver’s License

The next question is, “How can I get a valid Philippine driver’s license as a foreign national?” Obtaining a Philippine driver’s license will not be difficult if you already have a valid driver’s license from your country.

According to an article written by Duran & Duran-Schulze Law in BGC, Taguig City, “You can use a valid foreign driver’s license in the country for 90 days from the date of your arrival. If you’re staying for a longer period of time, we advise converting your license into a Philippine driver’s license.”

Consequently, as stated in the first paragraph of Chapter III, Sec. 21 of the Republic Act (RA) 4136, otherwise known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code”, foreigners will only be allowed to convert their foreign driver’s license to Philippine driver’s license if they have stayed within a period of 90 days from the day of their last arrival in the Philippines.

Applicants may apply through the Central Office of LTO at East Avenue in Quezon City. The type of application must be under the Non-Professional Driver’s License if you are not driving for a living (e.g. coach drivers, chauffeurs, etc.). Applicants must bring and complete the following requirements:

Duly accomplished Application for Driver’s License (can be obtained at the office or downloaded here)
Original and one photocopy of foreign license (if such license is not written in English, you must submit an official English translation from the Embassy of your country)
Original and photocopy of foreign passport that shows your arrival to the Philippines
Note: If you will be staying in the Philippines for a short period of time, you also need to present a valid visa or Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)
Medical Certificate with official receipt issued by LTO-accredited clinics and doctors
A negative drug test result issued by any Department of Health-accredited testing center

Note: You will be required to pass both written and practical examinations to successfully convert your foreign driver’s license to a Philippine driver’s license. If you do not have an existing driver’s license from your country and wish to apply for a new one in the Philippines, your application will follow the regular procedure that requires you to obtain a Student’s Permit first.

IMAGE from LTO’s Official Facebook page

Additional Tips

Please note that when applying for a driver’s license in the Philippines, you must be presentable for photo-taking. Do not wear sleeveless shirts, short pants, and slippers when visiting any of the offices of LTO in the Philippines. Further, some offices will also require you to list your name on a log book first, before you will be asked to return to a later date, so that they may accommodate you. In such cases, we recommend going to the LTO near you to inquire about their queueing procedures.

For more information, you may visit LTO’s official website at lto.gov.ph or their official Facebook page here.

Sources: Land Transportation Office, Globe.com.ph, Duran & Duran-Schulze Law’s website, Automobile Association Philippines
Featured image from LTO’s Official Facebook page