Hearsays that getting a driver’s license has turned into a difficult and lengthy process are all over the place – but how true is this, and do you really need third party assistance?

A driver’s license is one of the most sought out valid IDs out there, but many do not push through with these plans because of how strenuous it seems. 

Here is an updated guide for your reference to make things less complicated, and you be the judge whether or not this process is as extensive as everyone claims it is.

Classifications of driver licensing and their requirements

The LTO has three classifications of driver licensing: student permit, non-professional driver’s license, and professional driver’s license.

Student Permit

For both professional and non-professional driver’s licenses, a student permit is required. This LTO-issued document, also known as a student driver’s permit, serves as a basic license that allows a person to operate a vehicle while being accompanied by another licensed driver (with a professional or non-professional license).

Student Permit applicants must be:

• Filipinos at least 16 years of age
• Foreigners at least 18 years years of age who have lived in the Philippines for at least a month and have proof of residence for up to six months
• People whose license has been expired for 10 years or more, with no record of traffic violations and the like
• Must be physically and mentally fit to drive vehicles
• Individuals who completed the theoretical driving course

Student Permit requirements:

• Completed Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) form
• Any of the following (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for submission):

• Birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or the National Statistics Office (NSO)
• Passport
• Philippine Identification Card
• PSA Marriage Certificate
• Local Civil Registry (for places where there is no PSA)

• Any issued ID with your photo and signature (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for submission)
• For applicants below 18 years old:

• Parent or guardian’s consent
• Valid government-issued ID of the parent/guardian with photo and signature (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for submission)
• For foreigners (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for submission):

• Passport with entry date of at least one month and visa duration of six months from date of application
• If born in the Philippines, birth certificate authenticated by the PSA

• Medical certificate electronically transmitted by an LTO-accredited clinic (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for presentation)
• Certificate of Completion of the 15-hour theoretical driving course electronically transmitted by an LTO Driver’s Education Center (LTO DEC), LTO-accredited driving school, or LTO-accredited TESDA training center (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for submission)
• For employed applicants:
• Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)

Non-Professional Driver’s License

With a non-professional license, you are only permitted to operate private cars. After a month to a year has passed since the day your student permit was issued, you may apply for a non-professional driver’s license.

Non-Professional Driver’s License applicants must be:

• Filipinos at least 17 years of age
• Foreigners at least 18 years of age
• Holders of a valid student permit for at least one month from issuance
• Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle
• Must have attended and passed the Practical Driving Course (PDC) from an LTO-accredited driving school, LTO DEC, or LTO-accredited TESDA training center
• Must have passed the LTO examinations
• Must not have unsettled traffic violations

Non-Professional Driver’s License requirements:

• Completed Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) form
• For 17-year-old applicants:

• Parent or guardian’s consent
• Valid government-issued ID of the parent/guardian with photo and signature (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for submission)

• Medical certificate electronically transmitted by an LTO-accredited clinic (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for presentation)
• Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificate (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for presentation)
• Valid Student Permit
• For employed applicants: 
• Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)

Professional Driver’s License

You can drive a car for a living if you have a professional driver’s license. If you intend to operate any public utility vehicle (PUV), such as a taxi, transport network vehicle service (TNVS), jeepney, tricycle, bus, etc., you should apply for a professional license.

Professional Driver’s License applicants must be:

• Filipinos at least 17 years old
• Foreigners at least 18 years old
• Must be a non-pro license holder for at least six months
• Must have no unsettled traffic violations
• Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle
• Must have completed a minimum of eight-hour practical driving lessons from any LTO or TESDA-accredited driving school

Professional Driver’s License requirements:

• Completed Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) form
• Medical certificate electronically transmitted by an LTO-accredited clinic (original copy for presentation and one photocopy for presentation)
• Valid non-professional driver’s license

Step-by-step guide on how to get a driver’s license in Cebu in 2023

Step 1: Take a Theoretical Driving Course (TDC)

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) mandates applicants who are first-timers to take up a Theoretical Driving Course (TDC). There are several driving schools in Cebu, such as the A-1 driving school in SM North. 

The principles of driving, including traffic regulations, violations and other LTO special road laws, will be taught to student candidates. Students would then have to take a written exam with 100 items and get at least a score of 80.

You will attain a Certificate of Completion once you have finished the TDC and passed the written test, which you will submit along with other requirements to have your application for a student permit processed.

Step 2: Apply for a Student Permit

The student permit is given to proficient Filipinos and foreigners who are keen on learning how to drive. It will cost you about P300 and an hour to be spent at the LTO office for the permit. Spend the year that your student permit is valid practicing and enhancing your driving abilities.

Step 3: Sign up for a Practical Driving Course (PDC)

Once your student permit has been secured, the next step is to enroll yourself to practical driving lessons from any LTO or TESDA-accredited driving school in Cebu. 

You will receive a Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificate after finishing your driving lessons and successfully passing a practical driving exam or assessment. This certificate is needed to apply for a non-professional or professional driver’s license.

Step 4: Have yourself examined medically 

You must provide certification of your mental and physical capacity to drive in order to obtain a license. Obtain a medical examination at any LTO-accredited clinic for about P500. You can have your medical examination the same day that you apply for your driver’s license at one of these clinics that are inside or close to the LTO office.

Step 5: Apply for a Driver’s License

How to apply for a driver’s license at LTO:

• Step 1: Secure the application form for a driver’s license by going to your nearest LTO licensing center or downloading it online.
• Step 2: Prepare a checklist of the requirements above and make sure you bring them with you upon arrival at the center. Queue and wait for your number to be called.
• Step 3: Once called at the counter, submit all required documents. The officer will check it for completeness and authenticity.
• Step 4: Once the requirements are inspected, they will have your photo and signature taken.
• Step 5: Next, you will be paying the testing fees depending on the type of document you will get.
• Step 6: After paying, stay seated at the waiting area for the lecture and exam. The sequence is first there will be a lecture, then the written exam and finally the practical exam.
• Step 7: After taking all the exams, wait to check if you passed both. You will be required to pay other fees (for your ID, registration, etc) so that you can obtain an official receipt (OR).
• Step 8: Proceed to the releasing counter once your name is called. You need to present the OR in order to claim your license.

Getting a driver’s license could seem like a long process that involves endless hours of reading, practicing, and standing in line – but the fruits of your labor will last you a lifetime… or, 10 years at most. A driver’s license nevertheless offers up a world of possibilities and experiences thanks to the convenience of being able to travel on your own.

List of Land Transportation Office (LTO) satellite offices in Cebu

• Cebu City LTO Region VII Office – N. Bacalso
• Cebu City Mega Licensing Center at SM Seaside
• Mandaue City Licensing Center at JCenter Mall
• Robinsons Fuente Cebu
• Lapu-Lapu District Office
• Island Mall Mactan Licensing Center
• Talisay Extension Office at Robinsons Lawaan
• Carcar District Office
• Balamban Licensing Center
• Danao District Office
• Medellin Extension Office
• Camotes Extension Office
• Bantayan Extension Office