Registration & licensing requirements: For ride-hailing services (Grab, JoyRide, etc)

Want to earn some extra cash? A straightforward way to do so is to work as a ride-hailing service driver for companies like Grab, JoyRide, and more. Sounds good, but before you go ahead with this plan, there are a few things you should know like car registration and licensing requirements. In this article, we’ll be discussing it all in detail, so that you don’t go run from pole to pole to gather information.

Let us start from the basics, i.e., getting to know the ride-hailing services in the Philippines.

Ride-hailing services Authorities involved

The country's public transportation system is problematic, especially with all the traffic and rush. So, as a solution, ride-hailing service companies like Grab would take passengers from point A to point B with ease.

Now, it is important to know that companies offering such services are categorized under Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) as required by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

What is TNVS? It refers to the innovative ride-hailing service offered by Transportation Network Companies. All TNVS operate via smartphone apps.

What is LTFRB? The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is a government agency asked to oversee vehicles used for public conveyance. It issues Certificate of Public Convenience, regulations, adjusts fares, and routes/areas of operations.

Ride-hailing services Companies

In the Philippines, Grab is the poster child of TNVS and commuters consider it their go-to app which makes the booking difficult. So, this holiday season, don’t let the fun and excitement take a back seat with these Grab alternative ride-hailing services -

• JoyRide
• Angkas
• TokTok
• AVIS Philippines
• ePickMeUp
• Tara
• OWTO
• Move It
• Transportify
• Lalamove

With so many TNVS around, more employment opportunities are created allowing individuals to earn part-time or supplemental income.

Ride-hailing service Eligibility requirement to be a driver

If you are interested in being a TNVS industry driver, there are a few pre-requisites -

• Personal car: This one is pretty obvious. However, there is a maximum age limit condition imposed by LTFRB for all public utility vehicles. So, check that out before proceeding.
• Registration with LTFRB (get CPC): To be a TNVS driver, one needs to acquire the Certificate of Public Convenience issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). It is to be noted that CPC is valid for two years, so make sure to renew it, in case you want to continue driving.
• Smartphone: A smartphone is a must if you want to be a TNVS driver. It is to use the app insured by the partner TNC. No need for a high-range device, a mid-range model with reliable specs is sufficient.
• Driver’s license: Private cars rented for Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) are nothing but application-based Public Utility Vehicles. Drivers of such vehicles are required to have a professional driver’s license which is more tedious than getting a non-professional license.

Out of these four, the first and third (i.e., having a personal car and smartphone) are pretty straightforward requirements. It is the registration and licensing needs that need to be discussed in detail. So without any delay let’s get into it.

TNVS Registration

To be a legitimate TNVS driver, you are required to be registered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. In order to operate, a TNVS accreditation is required that comes in the form of a CPC (Certificate of Public Convenience). Applying for CPC is not as easy as one might think, it is a lengthy and time-consuming process. Let us now see how you can acquire CPC.

What is CPC? It is a legal authorization granted by LTFRB to individuals seeking permission to operate public transportation services, like Grab.

Certificate of Public Convenience Documents required

To get CPC, you need the following documents in hand to move the TNVS application further -

• Verified application form; 4 copies, available at www.ltfrb.gov.ph.
• Certificate of TNVS Enrolment/Registration; provided by the TNC you wish to work with
• Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR); one photocopy
• Certificate of Conformity (COC); if the vehicle is encumbered
• Proof of Filipino citizenship; submit any one of the following - marriage certificate, valid Philippine passport, voter’s ID, authenticated birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority
• Notarized certification

Certificate of Public Convenience Step-by-step guide

Follow the steps below to get your CPC from LTFRB -

Step 1: Gather all the required documents as mentioned above

Step 2: Submit the document to the TNC where you want to work
TNC will submit these documents to the LTFRB

Step 3: Claim the Provisional Authority (PA) from TNC
TNC issues PA only after the submitted documents are accepted by LTFRB; this permit is valid for 90 days

Step 4: After having the PA and Passenger Insurance Policy, attend your TNC’s onboarding

Step 5: Attend the hearing with an authorized representative from the TNC

Note, before the scheduled hearing, submit the following documents -

• Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) or Certificate of Conformity (COC) from the bank or financial institution (if the car is under financing)
• Proof of Publication (affidavit of publication by the publisher, copies of publication, affidavit of attestation)
• DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration
• NBI clearance of the authorized driver/s
• Police clearance of the authorized driver/s
• 5R photograph of units subject to the application (along with the front page of the newspaper to the date)
• Certificate of Enrolment/Registration (by TNC)
• BIR Certificate of Registration
• Proof of financial capability (via proof of bank deposit for ₱20,000 per unit)
• Proof of Existence and Sufficiency of Garage

Step 6: Await application approval, LTFRB does a thorough review and ensures your application meets all the criteria

Step 7: Upon application approval, you will receive your CPC

Step 8: Make sure to comply with all the terms and conditions outlined by CPC

Certificate of Public Convenience Filing fee

Filling fee	PHP 510 (for first 2 units) PHP 70 (for each unit over 2 units)
Unit verification fee	PHP 40 per unit
Inspection fee	PHP 50 (PUV)
Legal research fee	PHP 10
PA fee	PHP 250

Certificate of Public Convenience Validity & Penalties

From the date of issuance, CPC is valid for five years. Further, failure to comply with the terms & conditions will result in disapproval of the CPC application.

License guide for TNVS

To drive an application-based public utility vehicle, a driver must have a professional driver’s license. No student license or non-professional license will work here.

Professional License

Out of the three LTO licenses, this one occupies the top spot. It is required by individuals to wish to operate any public or private vehicle or even drive for a living.

Also Read: Here’s why you should not be driving without a license in the Philippines

Professional License Validity

It is valid for five years, for first-time license holders. It gets renewed for five years for drivers with traffic violations and 10 years for drivers with a clean record.

Professional License Qualification

• Must be mentally and physically fit
• Must be able to read & write in Filipino, English, or any local dialect
• Must be neat, clean, and presentable
• No unsettled traffic violations
• Must pass written & practical driving exam
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must hold a Non-Professional Driver’s License for at least six months
• Must hold a Student Driver’s Permit for at least one month
• For foreign applicants: Proof of residing in the Philippines for at least one month and proof of staying in the country for at least one year

Professional License Requirements

• LTO-accredited medical certificate (original & one photocopy)
• Duly accomplished Application for Permits & License Form
• PSA birth certificate (original & one photocopy)
• PDC (original & one photocopy)
• Valid student permit or non-professional driver’s license (original)
• LTO Client ID
• TIN, if employed
• Negative drug test results from a DOH-accredited center or government hospital
• Valid NBI Clearance or Police Clearance

 

Professional License Application procedure

• Visit the nearest or preferred LTO branch
• Ask for the Application for Permits and License (APL) form and duly accomplish it
• Secure a queue number and wait patiently
• Submit APL form along with additional required documents
• Upon approval of the submitted documents, pay the relevant fees
• Take exams - written and practical
• Wait for results; if failed, it is the end of the transaction
• Upon passing the exam, pay fees to the cashier
• Head to encoding or biometric window
• Accomplish the form for encoding complete details in the new LTO-IT system, the LTMS Portal
• Get your photo taken and affix your signature
• Wait for LTO to send your OR and professional driver’s license
• Sign the release form and the LTO log sheet

Also Read: Expired driver’s license: Answering the most common questions

Tips to be a good TNVS driver

• Knowing the area, roads, and routes very well, will help you avoid long traffic jams and find shortcuts, all of which make the passenger happy.
• Identify the passenger movement pattern, it will help you accept as many rides as you can.
• Get a good smartphone (not very heavy) and a reliable mount.
• Don’t follow through with illegal demands made by the passengers (like taking an illegal U-turn or crossing a red light).
• Make the ride more comfortable for the passengers by providing them with water, snacks, tissues, sanitizers, and cellphone chargers (you can even charge for the service and make extra money).
• Take adequate rest, and don’t force yourself to work as it can lead to a mishap.
• Make sure to keep the car clean at all times, and make an effort to offer passengers a pleasant-smelling cabin.

Recent updates

To combat the holiday rush, LTFRB recently released more TNVS slots; 5,000 in Metro Manila. These slots would be equally distributed among the TNVS companies operating in the National Capital Region.

LTFRB chairperson, Teofilo Guadiz II said, “This Christmas, in response to the requests, not only Grab but all the other 19 TNVS companies, we have approved an additional 5,000 slots.”

Bottom line

To work as a TNVS driver, a few things are a must including a professional driver’s license and registration with LTFRB. Both of which are quite tedious to procure. Although we have listed the latest information to the best of our knowledge, the requirements are subject to change. Therefore it is advised to follow LTFRB and your preferred TNC online.

Also Read: Here’s how to add and verify a medical certificate on the LTMS portal