How to Get a Non-Professional Driver’s License in the Philippines 2021

How to Get a Non-Professional Driver’s License in the Philippines 2021? Well, You probably has a Student Permit already and you wanted to proceed in applying for a Non-Professional Driver’s License like me. So, This guide will walk you through the whole process.

Also read for Student Permit: How To Get an LTO Student Permit.

Types of Driver’s License in the Philippines.

The following are three types of driver’s license in the Philippines.

Student Permit – Every individual who wishes to obtain a Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License is required to get a Student Permit first. The Student Permit or Student License authorizes its holder to drive a motor vehicle but in the presence of someone who holds a valid Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License. The student permit is only valid for one year and cannot be modified, revised, or renewed.
Non-Professional – A Non-Professional Driver’s License can give you the authority to drive/operate PRIVATE motor vehicles with up to 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Holders of this license will be able to drive vehicles with both manual and automatic transmission. Some of the vehicle types included in the weight limit are sedans, minivans, pickups, SUVs, and other passenger vehicles.
Professional – A Professional Driver’s License grants the driver (hired or paid) the authority to drive/operate motor vehicles whether for PRIVATE use or for hire to the PUBLIC. Professional Driver’s License holders are permitted to drive almost all types of vehicles, including motor vehicles exceeding 4,500 GVW like heavy construction equipment.

If you want to earn money driving public vehicles, then apply for a Professional Driver’s License. For me, since I will be driving a private vehicle, I applied for a Non-Professional Driver’s License.

Non-Professional Driver’s License QUALIFICATIONS:

Physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle
Must be able to read and write in Filipino and/or English
Passed the written and practical examination
Must be at least seventeen (17) years old
Must be a holder of Student-Driver’s Permit valid for at least thirty one (31) days from issuance / expired foreign driver’s license / expired non-professional driver’s license for more than two (2) years

Non-Professional Driver’s License REQUIREMENTS:

Completely filled out Driver’s License Application Form. Available at LTO Office
Valid Student Permit issued at least thirty-one(31) days before the date of application
Medical examination certificate (online only/electronically transmitted by the clinic).
Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificates (electronically transmitted) You must complete the required practical instruction given by LTO or any LTO-accredited driving schools. Starting August 3, 2020, new driver’s license applicants, whether Professional or Non-Professional and whose student permits were issued from August 3, 2020 onwards, are now required to submit their certificates electronically to the LTO-IT system or else their applications will not be processed. The driving school is responsible for sending the certificate to the LTO on your behalf and provide you with a personal copy which you’ll present to the LTO for verification purposes.

Non-Professional Driver’s License FEES:

Driving school fees fees differ in every location. The total amount of expenses will depend on the type of vehicle you’ll be driving. Just to give you an idea. This year, the driving school we went to offers Practical Driving Course with prices ranging from Php 4,000 (manual, 4 wheels) and Php 5,000 (automatic, 4 wheels) . PDC for motorcycle, meanwhile, costs Php 3,000.

You can check the nearest LTO in your area if they have Driver’s Education Center where you can avail of the PDC for free or at an affordable price.

I got my Practical Driving Certificate at a Driving School and here’s the breakdown of my expenses.

Student Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) – Php 2000
Medical Certificate from an accredited clinic – Php 500
Student Permit + IT Fee (IT FEEEEE) – Php 317.63
Practical Driving Course for Manual Transmission (8 hours/2 hours per day)- Php 4000
Nonprofessional’s license application and license fee – Php 819.99

Total expenses: Php 7,637.62

Non-Professional Driver’s License PROCESS:

Prepare your Practical Driving Certificate from an accredited LTO driving school and the Student Permit that’s one month old + 1 day.
Get a Medical Certificate (Php 500) from an accredited LTO Clinic.
Proceed to the LTO Office
Fill out the Application for Driver’s License form.
Pay Php 167.63 for the Application Fee and Comp Fee
Take your examination inside the examination area. Take note that you can always ask for a version of your exam: English or Tagalog. You have 1 hour to finish. it’s automated so, once you click the “Submit” button, you’ll know if you passed or failed. You should get 48 corrects out of 60 items.
If you passed, they will ask you to proceed to the cashier to pay. If you failed, you need to retake the exam.
Go to the cashier to pay for the License fee and Comp Fee for your ID.
The LTO officer will take your mugshot, encode your details.
Once done, they will provide you your ID. Always remember to KEEP THE RECEIPTS TOGETHER WITH YOUR ID.