Key takeaways
- Ladder: student permit at 16 (valid 1 year) → non-professional licence at 17 after at least a month on the permit → professional licence at 18 after 6 months or 1 year as a non-pro holder.
- Courses: a 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course for the permit and at least 8 hours of Practical Driving Course for the licence.
- Fees as of November 2026: ₱150 student permit (Citizen's Charter 2025), ₱585 licence fee, late-renewal penalties of ₱75, ₱150 or ₱225.
- A licence is valid 5 years; renewal is for 10 years if you had no traffic violations during the 5-year period (RA 10930).
- The CDE is not needed if your student permit was issued on or after 3 August 2020 or you last renewed on or after 28 October 2021.
LTO licences and permits at a glance
| Permit or licence | Fee | Processing time | Validity | Where to apply | Apply online? | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student-driver's permit | ₱150 permit fee (check whether other charges apply) | Check with the issuing office | 1 year from issuance | LTO district or licensing office | Account on LTMS; course and medical results are uploaded electronically | lto.gov.ph |
| Non-professional licence | ₱585 licence fee | Check with the issuing office | 5 years from birthdate; 10 years on renewal with no violations | LTO district or licensing office | Exams and photo in person | lto.gov.ph |
| Professional licence | ₱585 licence fee | Check with the issuing office | 5 or 10 years, same rule | LTO district or licensing office | Exams in person | lto.gov.ph |
| Renewal | ₱585 + penalty if late | Check with the issuing office | 5 or 10 years | LTO office, or online through eGovPH | Yes, through eGovPH with telemedicine (e-licence) | portal.lto.gov.ph |
As of November 2026. Student permit fee: LTO Citizen's Charter 2025. Licence fee: LTO Frontline Desk Manual. Validity: RA 10930 and the LTO new licence page. LTO does not publish a fixed processing time for these transactions on the pages checked, so ask your licensing office.
The LTO licence ladder: from student permit to professional licence
| Stage | Minimum age | What you must hold first | Course | Exams | Fee (as of November 2026) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student-driver's permit | 16 | Nothing | 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) | None for the permit | ₱150 | 1 year |
| Non-professional licence | 17 (18 for foreigners) | Student permit held at least 1 month | Practical Driving Course (PDC), at least 8 hours | Automated theoretical exam + practical driving test (pass: 80 of 100 points) | ₱585 | 5 years; 10 on renewal with a clean record |
| Professional licence | 18 | Non-pro licence for 6 months (codes A, A1) or 1 year (codes B, B1, B2) | As required by LTO for the codes applied for | Theoretical and practical exams | ₱585 | 5 or 10 years |
| Renewal | — | Licence not expired more than 2 years | CDE only if not exempt | Exams again only if expired more than 2 years | ₱585 + any penalty | 5 or 10 years |
Sources: LTO new driver's licence page; MC 2021-2293 (PDC hours, pass mark); LTO AO AVT-2015-029 and AVT-2015-030 (professional licence); Citizen's Charter 2025; FDM; RA 10930. As of November 2026.
Student permit requirements (LTO) in 2026
| Document | Notes | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of age: 16 or older | Filipino applicants; bring proof of age such as a PSA birth certificate | PSA; a parent can order it with an authorization letter for PSA |
| 15-hour TDC certificate | Transmitted electronically by the school to LTO since 3 August 2020 (MC 2020-2134) | LTO-accredited driving school or LTO Driver's Education Center; some LTO centres have offered the TDC free |
| Medical certificate | Electronically transmitted to LTO | LTO-accredited medical clinic |
| LTMS account | Your online profile with the LTO | portal.lto.gov.ph |
| Fitness and literacy | Physically and mentally fit; can read and write Filipino or English | Checked at application |
| Clean record | Must not have an unsettled traffic violation | LTO records |
| Parent's or guardian's consent (applicants under 18) | Original consent from a parent or the person with custody of the minor, authorizing the student permit, plus that adult's valid government ID with photo and signature, original + photocopy | Parent or guardian |
| Your own valid ID | With photo and signature | Issuing agency |
LTO new driver's licence page, MC 2020-2134 (ACES uploading facility) and the LTO Citizen's Charter 2025 (consent and IDs for applicants below 18), as of November 2026.
A student permit lets you learn to drive; it is not a licence. It is valid for one year from the date it is issued. If you are 16 or 17, the LTO Citizen's Charter 2025 lists a signed consent from a parent or the person who has custody of you, plus that adult's valid government ID with photo and signature (original and photocopy). The Charter does not say whether the consent must be notarized, so ask your district office. No licence is open to you before 17, and the non-professional licence at 17 has no parental-consent item in the sources checked. If your birth certificate and school ID spell your name differently, sort that out before you enrol in LTMS, because every later licence carries the name you enter now.
Non-professional driver's license requirements
| Document | Notes | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Student-driver's permit | Held for at least one month and still valid | LTO |
| Practical Driving Course certificate | At least 8 hours (MC 2021-2293) | LTO-accredited driving school, LTO Driver's Education Center, accredited licensed driver, or TESDA training centre |
| Medical certificate | Fresh exam, transmitted electronically | LTO-accredited clinic |
| Age 17 or older | 18 for foreign applicants | PSA birth certificate or passport |
| Pass the automated theoretical exam | Taken at the LTO office | LTO |
| Pass the practical driving test | 80 of 100 merit points to pass | LTO |
LTO new driver's licence page; MC 2021-2293. As of November 2026.
Professional driver's license requirements
| Document | Notes | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Non-professional licence | Held 6 months for codes A and A1, or 1 year for codes B, B1 and B2 | LTO |
| Age 18 or older | Required for a professional licence | Valid ID or PSA birth certificate |
| Medical certificate | From an LTO-accredited clinic | LTO-accredited clinic |
| Theoretical and practical exams | For the codes you apply for | LTO |
| Licence fee | ₱585 per the LTO Frontline Desk Manual | Paid at the LTO office |
LTO Administrative Orders AVT-2015-029 and AVT-2015-030; LTO FDM. As of November 2026.
A professional licence is what you need to drive for pay: jeepney, taxi, delivery truck, company car. Employers who hire drivers usually also ask for an NBI clearance or a police clearance, so start those while you wait out the 6-month or 1-year period.
How to get a student permit and driver's license: step by step
| Step | What to do | Time it takes | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create your account on portal.lto.gov.ph | 15–30 minutes | Use your name exactly as in your PSA birth certificate |
| 2 | Take the 15-hour TDC at an LTO-accredited school or LTO Driver's Education Center | 15 hours of class | Ask your LTO regional office whether its centre runs a free TDC |
| 3 | Take the medical exam at an LTO-accredited clinic | Same day | The clinic sends the result to LTO electronically |
| 4 | Apply for the student permit at the LTO office and pay ₱150 | Check with the issuing office | Bring a valid ID and your LTMS login; under 18, add the parent's or guardian's consent and their ID |
| 5 | Practise driving and finish at least 8 hours of PDC | At least 1 month on the permit | Only after one month can you apply for the licence |
| 6 | At 17 or older, take a new medical exam and apply for the non-pro licence | Check with the issuing office | Bring your permit and PDC record |
| 7 | Pass the automated theoretical exam and the practical driving test | Same visit, depending on the office | The practical pass mark is 80 of 100 points |
| 8 | Pay the ₱585 licence fee; photo and signature are taken | Same visit | Ask whether a plastic card or e-licence is issued |
LTO new licence page; MC 2021-2293; Citizen's Charter 2025; FDM. As of November 2026.
LTO fees 2026: student permit, licence and late renewal
| Item | Fee | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student-driver's permit | ₱150 | November 2026 | Citizen's Charter 2025 |
| Student permit with older application and computer fees | Check with the issuing office: the 2023 manual lists ₱100 application + ₱67.63 computer fee + ₱150 = ₱317.63, but no current page says whether the first two still apply under LTMS | November 2026 | FDM 2nd ed. |
| Licence fee (non-pro or pro) | ₱585 | November 2026 | FDM 2nd ed. |
| 10-year licence fee | Check with the issuing office: a separate 2021 LTO memo on the 10-year licence fee could not be read, so a different figure is not confirmed | November 2026 | LTO memo, December 2021 |
| Late renewal, expired 1 day to 1 year | ₱75 | November 2026 | LTO licence page |
| Late renewal, expired over 1 year up to 2 years | ₱150 | November 2026 | LTO licence page |
| Late renewal, expired over 2 years up to 10 years | ₱225 (and you retake the exams) | November 2026 | LTO licence page; LTO FAQ |
| TDC and PDC at private schools | Check with the school: course fees are set by the school; some LTO centres have offered the TDC free | November 2026 | LTO NCR news |
| Medical exam | Check with the clinic: the fee is not on the LTO pages checked | November 2026 | — |
Penalties may be waived temporarily by an LTO memorandum circular, as happened in 2026 (see the extensions section below); check lto.gov.ph/issuances for the one covering your expiry date.
Driver's license renewal requirements
| Document | Notes | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Current licence | Not expired for more than 2 years for a plain renewal | Your own card or e-licence |
| Medical certificate | Medical exam once, before renewal, within 60 days before renewal (LTO memo, March 2023) | LTO-accredited clinic, or telemedicine inside the online renewal system |
| CDE result (only if not exempt) | Comprehensive Driver's Education; online validation exam pass mark 80% (20 of 25) | portal.lto.gov.ph |
| Driver's Reorientation Course (only with demerit points) | 5–9 points: reorientation; 10–39: reorientation and CDE | LTO |
| Payment | ₱585 licence fee plus any late penalty | LTO office or online (eGovPH) |
| Proof of travel (advance renewal) | Advance renewal is allowed if you are leaving the country within one year | Ticket, visa or contract |
Citizen's Charter 2025; LTO memo of 24 March 2023 on medical exams; CDE validation exam on the LTMS. As of November 2026.
Is the CDE required for license renewal?
Not for most drivers renewing now. The LTO's 2025 Citizen's Charter says the Comprehensive Driver's Education is no longer required for licence holders whose student permit was issued on or after 3 August 2020, and for those who renewed their current licence on or after 28 October 2021. Demerit points change that answer.
| Your situation | CDE needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Student permit issued on or after 3 August 2020 | No | Exempt under the 2025 Citizen's Charter |
| Last renewed on or after 28 October 2021 | No | Exempt under the 2025 Citizen's Charter |
| Licence from before August 2020, last renewed before 28 October 2021 | Yes | Not covered by either exemption |
| 5 to 9 demerit points | Driver's Reorientation Course | Citizen's Charter 2025 |
| 10 to 39 demerit points | Reorientation course and CDE | Citizen's Charter 2025 |
| Expired more than 2 years | Retake the theoretical and practical exams | LTO licence FAQ |
LTO Citizen's Charter 2025; LTO FAQ on licence and permit issuance. As of November 2026.
LTO 10-year license: who gets 5 years and who gets 10
RA 10930, approved on 2 August 2017, amended the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. It says "all drivers' licenses shall be valid for five (5) years reckoned from the birthdate of the licensee", and a driver with no traffic violations during that 5-year period "shall be entitled to a renewal of such license for ten (10) years". Student permits are not covered by these terms.
| Licence holder | Validity on renewal | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First licence (non-pro or pro) | 5 years from birthdate | RA 10930 Sec. 2 |
| No traffic violations in the 5-year period | 10 years | RA 10930 Sec. 2 |
| With traffic violations or demerit points | 5 years, plus reorientation or CDE depending on points | RA 10930; Citizen's Charter 2025 |
| Student-driver's permit | 1 year; not a licence | LTO licence page |
RA 10930 on Lawphil. As of November 2026.
Legal basis: RA 10930 (2017), Sec. 2, amending Sec. 23 of RA 4136: five-year validity reckoned from the birthdate; ten-year renewal for drivers without violations during the five-year period.
Primary sources: RA 10930 on Lawphil
Can I renew my driver's license online (LTMS and eGovPH)?
Yes, for many drivers. The LTO announced in 2025 that licence renewal is available in the eGovPH app: you take the medical exam through telemedicine, complete an online Driver's Enhancement Program, pay online, and an electronic licence is generated. The telemedicine booking sits inside the Online Driver's License Renewal System. If you need a plastic card, ask your LTO office; card supply was restored in March 2025 when at least one million cards were delivered.
Your digital licence counts. In January 2026 the LTO said the e-Driver's License you open from your own LTMS account, and the copy in the eGovPH app, is valid when a traffic enforcer asks for your licence. A screenshot or a photocopy is not accepted, so open the live app at the checkpoint.
2026 licence validity extensions (fuel emergency and LTMS problems)
Twice in 2026 the LTO extended expiring licences, permits and registrations by memorandum circular instead of making drivers queue: first during the national energy emergency in April, then because of LTMS problems from July. Those extensions were temporary. MC MVL-2026-5523, dated 29 October 2026, ended them, set renewal windows for documents that expired from July to October, and restored regular validity periods from November 2026.
| Circular | What it did | Status as of November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| MC MVL-2026-5048 | Three-month extension and penalty waiver for registrations, licences, permits and certificates expiring from April 2026, during the national energy emergency | Superseded by later circulars |
| MC MVL-2026-5133 | Addendum covering LTMS downtime | Listed on lto.gov.ph/issuances |
| MC MVL-2026-5157 | Extended MC 5048 until 31 July 2026 | Listed on lto.gov.ph/issuances |
| MC MVL-2026-5271 | Open-ended extension because of LTMS problems, for documents expiring from July 2026 | Ended by MC MVL-2026-5523 |
| MC MVL-2026-5523 (29 October 2026) | Ended the open-ended extension; renewal windows by expiry month, with no penalties inside the window; regular validity from November 2026 | In force; temporary windows end 26 February 2027 |
LTO issuances; MC 5048 reason: PIA; MC 5523: PNA, 5 November 2026 and GMA, 3 November 2026. The text of MC 5523 could not be opened on lto.gov.ph, and the reports do not name its signatory. As of November 2026.
Renewal windows for licences that expired July to October 2026
| Expired in | Renew from | Last day without penalty |
|---|---|---|
| July or August 2026 | 3 November 2026 | 29 December 2026 |
| September 2026 | 1 December 2026 | 29 January 2027 |
| October 2026 | 4 January 2027 | 26 February 2027 |
| November 2026 or later | Regular rules: renew on or before your expiry date | No grace window |
MC MVL-2026-5523 dated 29 October 2026, as reported by PNA (5 November 2026) and GMA (3 November 2026). It covers vehicle registrations, driver's and conductor's licences, student permits and medical certificates. Renewing inside your window costs no extra fees or penalties; after it, the normal ₱75 to ₱225 penalties apply.
These windows are a one-time catch-up, not a permanent rule. If your licence expired while an extension was in force, renew inside your month's window. From November 2026 every licence follows the regular validity printed on it, and the late-renewal penalties in the fee table apply from the day after expiry.
Common driver's license problems and fixes
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Licence expired more than 2 years | Plain renewal covers only licences expired 2 years or less | Retake and pass the theoretical and practical exams; pay the ₱225 penalty |
| Lost licence card | Card left, stolen or damaged | Execute an affidavit of loss and ask the LTO office about a replacement card; meanwhile your e-licence on LTMS or eGovPH is valid at traffic stops |
| Name on LTMS differs from PSA record or other IDs | Typo at enrolment, or name changed after marriage | Ask the LTO to correct the record; an affidavit of discrepancy explains small variations |
| Cannot log in to LTMS | Wrong portal or old email | Use portal.lto.gov.ph only; ask the district office to reset access |
| TDC certificate not showing | School has not uploaded it | Ask the school; uploads have been electronic since 3 August 2020 |
| Told to take the CDE | Licence pre-dates August 2020 and last renewal was before 28 October 2021, or demerit points | Take the CDE online on the LTMS; the validation exam pass mark is 80% |
| Got 5 years instead of 10 | A traffic violation was recorded in the 5-year period | Settle violations; keep a clean record for the next renewal |
| Unsettled traffic violation blocks the student permit | Applicants must have no unsettled violation | Settle the violation with the LTO or the apprehending agency first |
| Screenshot of e-licence refused | Only the live LTMS or eGovPH display is valid | Open the app itself at the checkpoint |
LTO licence pages, Citizen's Charter 2025 and LTO news, as of November 2026.
Non-professional vs professional driver's license
| Point | Non-professional | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 17 (18 for foreigners) | 18 |
| Must hold first | Student permit for at least 1 month | Non-pro licence for 6 months (A, A1) or 1 year (B, B1, B2) |
| Drive for pay? | No | Yes |
| Licence fee | ₱585 | ₱585 |
| Validity | 5 years; 10 with a clean record | 5 years; 10 with a clean record |
| Exams | Theoretical + practical | Theoretical + practical |
LTO new licence page, AO AVT-2015-029/030, FDM, RA 10930. As of November 2026.
Printable checklist for your LTO visit
- LTMS account username and password (portal.lto.gov.ph)
- Valid ID, and PSA birth certificate for a first application
- Under 18: a parent's or guardian's signed consent and that adult's valid ID, original and photocopy
- TDC certificate (student permit) or PDC certificate (licence), uploaded by the school
- Medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic, uploaded electronically
- Student permit held at least one month (for the non-pro licence)
- Current licence (renewal) and proof of travel if renewing early
- CDE result, only if you are not exempt
- Cash or e-wallet for the fees: ₱150 permit, ₱585 licence, plus any penalty
A driver's licence doubles as a photo ID at many offices. If you are also getting a passport or registering to vote, check the ID list on our voter registration guide and the DFA's own list before you rely on it. For the rest of the Philippine IDs and what each costs, see the government documents hub. Applying for a job as a driver? The employment hub lists the other documents new hires are usually asked for.
Buod sa Tagalog
Para makakuha ng student permit sa LTO, dapat 16 years old ka pataas, tapos na ang 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course, at may medical certificate mula sa LTO-accredited clinic. Kung wala ka pang 18, magdala ng pirmadong pahintulot ng magulang o guardian at ng kanilang valid ID. Ang permit fee ay ₱150 ayon sa Citizen's Charter 2025, at isang taon ang bisa nito. Pagkatapos ng isang buwan sa permit, puwede ka nang kumuha ng non-professional license sa edad na 17 kung pasado ka sa written at practical exam at may 8 oras na Practical Driving Course. Limang taon ang bisa ng lisensya, at sampung taon na sa renewal kung wala kang traffic violation. Gamitin lang ang portal.lto.gov.ph para sa LTMS account mo.
Frequently asked questions
+What are the requirements for a student permit at LTO?
You must be at least 16, physically and mentally fit, able to read and write Filipino or English, and free of unsettled traffic violations. Finish the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course at an LTO-accredited school or LTO Driver's Education Center, pass a medical exam at an LTO-accredited clinic, set up your LTMS account, and pay the ₱150 permit fee. Under 18? Bring a parent's or guardian's signed consent and their valid ID.
+How much is a student permit in 2026?
The LTO Citizen's Charter 2025 lists the student-driver's permit at ₱150, as of November 2026. An older LTO desk manual added a ₱100 application fee and a ₱67.63 computer fee for a ₱317.63 total; whether those still apply under the LTMS is not stated on a current LTO page, so ask your office. The TDC and the medical exam are paid separately.
+What is the minimum age for a student permit and a driver's licence?
Sixteen for a student-driver's permit, seventeen for a non-professional licence (eighteen for foreign applicants), and eighteen for a professional licence. You must also have held your student permit for at least one month before applying for the non-pro licence, and held a non-pro licence for six months or one year, depending on the code, before upgrading to professional.
+How long is the Theoretical Driving Course and the Practical Driving Course?
The Theoretical Driving Course is 15 hours and is required before the student permit. The Practical Driving Course must be at least 8 hours under LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2293 and is required before the non-professional licence. Take both from an LTO-accredited driving school or an LTO Driver's Education Center; the PDC can also be done through TESDA or an accredited licensed driver.
+How do I get a 10-year driver's licence?
Keep a clean record. RA 10930 makes every licence valid for five years from your birthdate, and a driver with no traffic violations during that five-year period is entitled to renew for ten years. If you had violations, you renew for five years, and demerit points may require a Driver's Reorientation Course or the CDE first. Settle every violation before renewing.
+Is the CDE required for licence renewal?
Usually not. The LTO 2025 Citizen's Charter exempts drivers whose student permit was issued on or after 3 August 2020 and drivers who renewed on or after 28 October 2021. Older licence holders who have not renewed since then still take the CDE, as do drivers with 10 to 39 demerit points. The online validation exam needs 20 correct answers out of 25.
+Can I renew my driver's licence online through LTMS or eGovPH?
Many drivers can. Since 2025 the eGovPH app has offered licence renewal: you book a telemedicine medical exam, complete the online Driver's Enhancement Program, pay online, and an electronic licence is generated. A licence expired more than two years needs exams, which are taken in person at an LTO office. Use only portal.lto.gov.ph and the official eGovPH app.
+What happens if my licence has been expired for more than two years?
You cannot do a plain renewal. The LTO FAQ says renewal after two years from expiry requires you to take and pass the theoretical and practical exams again. The late penalty is ₱225 for a licence expired more than two years and up to ten years, as of November 2026. If it expired from July to October 2026, MC MVL-2026-5523 gives a penalty-free renewal window by expiry month.
+Is the digital LTMS driver's licence valid at traffic stops?
Yes. In January 2026 the LTO said the e-Driver's License opened from your own LTMS account, and the digital copy in the eGovPH app, are valid when an enforcer asks for your licence. Screenshots and photocopies are not accepted, so keep the app logged in and show it live. Carry the plastic card too if you have one.
Related formats and guides
Official sources
- RA 10930 – 5- and 10-year driver's licence validity — Amends Sec. 23 of RA 4136: 5-year validity from birthdate; 10-year renewal with no violations. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- LTO – New driver's licence — Age, TDC, medical certificate, permit validity, PDC, exams and late-renewal penalties. Confirm on the official site before you go. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- LTO Citizen's Charter 2025 — ₱150 student permit fee, parent's or guardian's consent and ID for applicants under 18, renewal scope and the CDE exemption for permits from 3 Aug 2020 and renewals from 28 Oct 2021. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- LTO Frontline Desk Manual, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.) — ₱585 licence fee and the older ₱317.63 student permit breakdown. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- LTO MC 2021-2293 — Practical Driving Course of at least 8 hours; practical test pass mark of 80 points. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- LTO FAQ on licence and permit issuance — Exams required to renew a licence expired more than two years. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- LTO issuances — 2026 validity extensions MC MVL-2026-5048, -5133, -5157 and -5271. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- PNA – LTO resumes regular validity, sets renewal grace periods (5 Nov 2026) — MC MVL-2026-5523 dated 29 October 2026: renewal windows by expiry month, no penalties inside the window. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
- LTMS portal — Official LTMS for accounts, CDE validation exam and digital licence. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
Deepak Middha, Chartered Accountant
18 years in hedge funds; writes and maintains sulat.ph. Every fee, processing time and requirement on this page links to the official agency page, citizen's charter or law it comes from, and were checked against those sources on 2026-11-11. Where a rule could not be confirmed from an official source, the page says so or leaves it out.
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