Three Types of Driver's License in the Philippines - UPDATED 2020

Before you can take home that brand new or used car you got from the dealer’s showroom, you must have the proper authorization to drive a vehicle. If you do not have a license, then this article will explain in detail about the three types of driver's license in the Philippines, the coverage of each and how you can apply for one.

There are three types of driver's license in the country: student permit, non-professional permit and professional permit. People as young as 16 years old can qualify for a student permit. This can then be upgraded to a non-professional license one month after acquiring the student permit and a professional license after 6 months.

The application process, however, can be quite lengthy. It often requires passing a written exam and a driving exam for a non-professional or professional license. Below is a general explanation of each permit.

Student driver permit

© greenscorpio.wordpress.com © greenscorpio.wordpress.com

Anyone who is 16 years of age and above can apply for a student driver's permit. Other requirements include that the applicant can speak and understand English and Tagalog and is physically and mentally fit to drive a vehicle.

Requirements:

  1. Notarized parental consent for minors
  2. Valid ID to prove identity and age
  3. Completed student driver’s license application form
  4. A fee of P317.63 to be paid in the LTO office

For more detailed steps, read this post on the procedures to get your student permit from your local LTO. Note that when you get your student driver’s license you can only drive a car if you are accompanied by an adult who has a non-professional or professional driver’s license.

Non-professional driver’s license

© abcdeyv.tumblr.com © abcdeyv.tumblr.com

A non-professional permit requires you to be 17 years old and above and has the same qualifications as the student driver’s license. Additional requirements include that the applicant is not an alcoholic and does not use illegal drugs.

Requirements:

  1. Drug test result (negative) from government hospitals, which is accredited by the DOH.
  2. Medical certificate with official receipt from LTO accredited centers or government physicians
  3. Valid student driver's license at least a month in possession
  4. Completed non-professional driver’s license form
  5. Tax identification number (TIN)
  6. Passing the practical and written examinations conducted by the LTO
  7. A fee amounting to P417.63

A non-professional driver can drive motorcycles and vehicles with a gross weight no higher than 4500 kilograms (with either manual or automatic transmission) such as sedans, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), pickups, minivans and most passenger vehicles.

Professional driver’s license

Drivers-License

An applicants for this type of permit is required to be at least 18 years old, a non-alcoholic and a non-drug user, physically and mentally fit, and is not afflicted with contagious diseases or a sickness that could hamper driving such as epilepsy.

Requirements:

  1. A valid student permit acquired at least five months before applying.
  2. The negative result of drug test from government medical facilities or DOH accredited hospitals
  3. Medical certificates from physicians or LTO accredited centers
  4. NBI or police court clearance
  5. Tax identification number (TIN)
  6. Passing the written and actual examinations conducted by the LTO
  7. Completed professional driver’s license application form
  8. A fee amounting to P417.63

By obtaining a professional license, a driver can drive almost all types of vehicle in the country including those which weighs more than 4600 kilograms and above, such as trucks and heavy construction equipment.

Did you know?

You can also use your Philippine driver’s license in different countries such as Spain and Australia. Take note however that some of these territories usually have an opposite driving orientation; right hand drive as opposed to our left hand drive. 

Updated on September 15, 2020 by Gail Alcabaza

Also Read:

LTO releases initial batch of license plates for motorcycles

10-year valid driver's licenses only for those with clean records

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Toyota Motor PH's dealer network 'sufficient' to attend to customer needs
    Toyota Motor PH's dealer network 'sufficient' to attend to customer needs
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • BPI enjoys 37% growth in loan releases
    BPI enjoys 37% growth in loan releases
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Nissan showcases Kicks e-Power at 'Meeting of Styles PH'
    Nissan showcases Kicks e-Power at 'Meeting of Styles PH'
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Fresh BYD Dolphins arrive in Valenzuela City, augment local gov't, police fleet
    Fresh BYD Dolphins arrive in Valenzuela City, augment local gov't, police fleet
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Isuzu PH ‘satisfied’ with current dealer network, according to new president
    Isuzu PH ‘satisfied’ with current dealer network, according to new president
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Here are the BYD eMAX 7's 4 hues
    Here are the BYD eMAX 7's 4 hues
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Isuzu mu-X's 5 elegant hues in PH
    Isuzu mu-X's 5 elegant hues in PH
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Here's a closer look at the PH-spec BYD eMAX 7's variants
    Here's a closer look at the PH-spec BYD eMAX 7's variants
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • These are the Chery Tiggo Cross' hits and misses
    These are the Chery Tiggo Cross' hits and misses
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Nissan Patrol: pros and cons
    Nissan Patrol: pros and cons
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • Ensure your vehicle is Summer road trip-ready by following these tips
    Ensure your vehicle is Summer road trip-ready by following these tips
    Paulo Papa . Mar 06, 2025
  • First drive: Changan Lumin
    First drive: Changan Lumin
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 22, 2025
  • JAC JS4: from daily drives to ‘vacay’ vibes
    JAC JS4: from daily drives to ‘vacay’ vibes
    Paulo Papa . Apr 22, 2025
  • First drive: Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM
    First drive: Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM
    Paulo Papa . Apr 03, 2025
  • Changan CS15: no-fuss daily driver
    Changan CS15: no-fuss daily driver
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 27, 2025
  • First drive: Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line
    First drive: Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line
    Paulo Papa . Mar 21, 2025