Your guide to scoring a 10-year LTO Driver’s License

A lot has changed regarding the driver’s license process in the Philippines. Previously, an applicant was required to head to the nearest licensing center, submit the necessary documents, pay the fees, and procure the renewed license within hours. However, now, one needs to first clear an exam before asking for license renewal. Why? This is to ensure that only drivers with knowledge of road safety, sufficient driving skills, and proper road etiquette can renew their licenses.

Also, part of the change in the renewal process is LTO issuing driver’s licenses that are valid for ten years. Before Oct 2021, i.e., prior to the rollout of the 10-year license, applicants would be required to renew their license often. However, this particular decision was met with different sentiments. On the one hand, the move is appreciated by most drivers because it would mean less time spent inside the LTO office and less money spent on driver’s license renewal. However, a few doctors that the LTO consulted back then disapproved of the 10-year license validity saying it is too long a period to believe that the driver’s physical and mental well–being remains intact.

Anyway, the 10-year validity program was implemented and is going pretty well. However, to qualify, one needs to meet certain conditions and requirements. In this article, we’ll explore everything related to the 10-year driver’s license renewal—conditions, requirements, eligibility, and, most importantly, the CDE exam and certification.

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

Importance of 10-year license validity

Several factors encourage the law authorities and drivers to implement and acquire a driver’s license with a 10-year validity.

• It serves as a reward for drivers for adherence to traffic laws and good driving behavior.
• It encourages drivers to comply with traffic laws & regulations.
• It emphasizes the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices.
• It reduces the need for frequent license renewals, thus helping the LTO officials streamline license-related issues and implement stricter rules.

Understanding the Republic Act 10930

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issues driver’s licenses with a validity of 10 years, per the Republic Act 10930. So, what does this act state? Let us find out -

• A driver with traffic violations on their record cannot receive a ten-year validity on a driver’s license.
• Only drivers with a clean driving record, and no violations are eligible for the extended validity period.
• Drivers with recorded violations that are settled before renewal are to be issued a license with only a five-year validity.
• The act promotes safe driving practices by encouraging drivers to have a clean driving record.

Why is driver’s license validity linked to violation?

The sole reason for linking license validity to traffic violations is to promote road safety. The RA 10930 encourages drivers to follow traffic regulations and defensive driving by offering longer validity periods to those with a clean record.

Here are a few reasons why driver’s license validity is associated with traffic violations -

• Knowing their license validity is at strike, drivers are more likely to avoid violations and be conscious of driving behavior.
• By reducing the validity period of the license, the law encourages drivers to adhere to traffic rules and regulations and maintain a clean record.
• Knowing that violation will impact validity, drivers avoid engaging in unsafe driving practices.

10-Year driver’s license Eligibility

Anybody with a driver’s license in the Philippines can opt for renewal, however, when it comes to 10-year validity, there are some eligibility requirements as per Republic Act 10930.

• Drivers with a clean driving record.
• No traffic violation during the duration of license validity.

In case, a driver has registered traffic violations and wants to renew his/her license, the 10-year validity does not exist. In such cases, the provision is limited to only five years, regardless of how minor or major the violation is.

Did you know? Earlier the holder of a 10-year driver’s license was required to undergo LTO’s periodic medical exam, however, it is no longer a requirement. As per the new law, the license holder needs to take the examination once - either 60 days before or on the day of license renewal. For license holders living abroad, they need to undergo a medical exam within 30 days of arriving in the Philippines.

10-Year driver’s license Documents required

If you have a clean driving record and are on the lookout for license renewal with a 10-year validity, here are the documents you need to have -

Expiring or expired driver’s license

When heading to the LTO for license renewal, do remember to carry your expiring or expired license with you, it doesn’t matter if it’s a professional or non-professional license. In case you have lost your expired/expiring license in that case carry an affidavit of loss from a notary public.

Application Form for Driver’s License (ADL)

Do remember to collect the application form for driving license renewal either from the LTO Driver’s License Renewal Centre (DLRC) or any LTO branch. Make sure to fill out the form clearly and mention all the required information.

Medical Certificate

Make sure to visit an LTO-accredited clinic to get a medical certificate. To save time, you can visit the clinic before the renewal date and avoid long queues as well. Just a heads up, there’s no urine/stool testing; all there is a general health check-up, vision check, and blood pressure check. The medical certificate will be transmitted to the LTO directly via electronic means.

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

Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) certificate

One of the most essential documents to get your driver’s license renewed is a Comprehensive Driver’s Education certificate which is obtained after clearing the Comprehensive Driver’s Exam. This exam is conducted online on the LTMS portal wherein the candidate needs to answer 25 questions and get at least 20 right answers.

We’ll soon get you a detailed guideline on the Comprehensive Driver’s Education, so stay tuned.

Step-by-step instructions to get a 10-year license

Though we have extensively covered the driver’s license renewal process in detail, here is a quick brush-up to help you get yours with 10-year validity.

So, there are two ways an applicant can apply for license renewal - via walk-in at the LTO branch and online through the LTMS Portal. However, there are a few common steps that need to be followed in both processes including -

• Sign up on the LTMS (Land Transportation Management System) portal
• Take the Comprehensive Driver’s Education online validation exam on the LTMS portal (E-Learning tab - CDE Online Validation Exam)
• Upon passing the CDE online validation exam, get the CDE Certificate printed

Driver’s license renewal - Walk-in at LTO branch

• Head to the nearest LTO branch, get a queue number, and wait for it to be called out.
• Upon being called, show the LTO officer your driver’s license ID and CDE certificate. Here you’ll get a document for the next step, collect it, and move to the medical kiosk.
• Once at the kiosk, show the officer the document and wait for your turn
  Head to the LTO officer desk, here the officer will log in to your LTMS Portal to verify your details, after completion, the officer will hit the log out button.
• Next, your biometrics and headshot will be taken.
• Wait for the release of your renewed license.

Driver’s license renewal - LTMS Portal

• Login to the LTMS Portal
• On the LTMS dashboard, click on the Licensing tab.
• After reading the LTMS Terms of Use, click "accept," and you’ll be directed to the online application form.
• Driver’s License for License Classification
• Click on Add Medical Certificate, and input your medical certificate number.
• Upload a copy of your CDE certificate.
• Click on Verify and select Renewal for the type of application.
• Click Next, select the desired appointment schedule and LTO branch.
• Pay the renewal fee.

Driver’s license renewal - Fee

How much you will pay for a driver’s license renewal depends on the type of license to be renewed and the type of applicant you are. To know the fee you’ll be paying at the LTO branch, just check your latest official receipt as it mentions the amount needed to be paid for license renewal.

Type of Fee	Regular Fee	License expired for 1 day to 1 year	License expired for more than 1 year to 2 year	License expired for more than 2 year
License fee	PHP 585	PHP 585	PHP 585	PHP 585
Penalty	None	PHP 75	PHP 150	PHP 225
Application fee	None	None	None	PHP 100
Total	PHP 585	PHP 660	PHP 735	PHP 910

Tips for driver’s license renewal

• Reach the LTO branch before opening hours, to avoid peak hour rush.
• Before visiting the LTO branch settle all your traffic violations; settling them on the day of renewal can delay the process. Only if there are no unsettled apprehensions you’ll qualify for 10-year driver’s license validity.
• Double-check the details in the application form, as any inaccuracies may delay the process.
• Schedule your medical exam in advance.
• Carry along refreshments and water.
• Say no to fixers at any cost.

Bottom line

Driver’s license renewal is a pretty straightforward procedure in the Philippines, however, to many it might seem like a lot of work, but remember it is a legal requirement for all drivers in the country. In recent years, LTO has made several efforts to make the renewal process fast and easy. An applicant just needs to prepare the necessary documents, pay the required fee, and follow essential steps. As for the driver’s license renewal with 10-year validity, you need to have a spotless driving record with no tickets, demerits, or infractions and procure CDE certification.

Also Read: Got 5 demerit points? Here’s how to renew your driver’s license