The LTO Student Permit is also known as a student license or a student permit. In essence, it is not a license for driving a motor vehicle on Philippine roads, but it does provide the necessary authorization to do so legally. Find out how to get an LTO Student Permit in the Philippines by reading up this informative guide.

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Why do I need an LTO Student Permit / LTO Student License?

First-time drivers can obtain a LTO Student Permit from the Land Transportation Office (LTO). In the presence of a licensed driver, it signifies that the individual is legally authorized to operate a motor vehicle. A driver’s license requires it as a mandatory requirement, even though it’s not considered a valid ID.

An LTO Student permit is also known as a student license or student driver permit, but it is not a license. Due to its restrictions in its usage, a Student Permit cannot be used without the company of a licensed driver. If caught, the LTO will impose a fine of ₱3,000.00.

There is a fee associated with the Student Permit. There are certain fees associated with this permit, which total $317.63. You must also complete your Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and apply for a Non-Professional driver’s license if you do not want to renew your Student permit.

Student Permits from LTO: Benefits

LTO Student Permits offer the following benefits:

• Brings you one step closer to obtaining your driver’s license

• Drives a motor vehicle on Philippine roads while being guided by a licensed driver

• You can use your orange Student Permit as an acceptable government ID when transacting with certain offices if you acquired it in that format

Students can apply for LTO student licenses

• Age requirement: 18

  • Filipino citizens: Must be sixteen (16) or older

  • A foreign national must be at least eighteen (18) years old

    • Must have been in the Philippines for at least a month

    • Must be able to show proof of at least six (6) months stay

• Mentally and physically fit

• You have to be able to read and write in Filipino or English

• Must not have an unresolved traffic ticket

• Completing the 15-hour theoretical driving course in three (3) sessions is required

• Email address must be active and valid

Requirements for LTO student permits

• Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) form.

• Present the original and send one (1) photocopy of the medical certificate from any clinic that’s LTO-accredited.

• Submit one (1) photocopy of each of the following:

  • Certificate of Birth from PSA/NSO

  • A Philippine ID that works

  • The passport

  • In areas where there isn’t a PSA, you can get a birth certificate from the local civil registry (LCR)

  • Certificate of Marriage from PSA

• Applicants under the age of 18

  • The consent or authorisation of at least one (1) parent, caretaker, or supervisor over the minor applicant to obtain a student permit

  • An original and a photocopy of any valid government-issued ID with the parent’s photo and signature.

• Any issued ID with photo and signature of the applicant must be presented in its original form and accompanied by one (1) photocopy

• Foreign nationals

  • Submission of the original passport and one (1) photocopy of the passport with an entry date of at least one (1) month and a visa duration of six (6) months, or

  • Born in the Philippines

    • Presentation of the original birth certificate and submission of one (1) photocopy duly authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

• Employed individuals

  • Number assigned to a taxpayer (TIN)

• Presenting the original and submitting one (1) photocopy of the Certificate of Completion of the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course electronically to LTO by either a driving school, a driver’s education center (LTO DEC) or a TESDA training center accredited by LTO.

Procedures for Applying Online for a LTO Student Permit

LTMS Portal allows applicants to secure a student license conveniently by applying for a student permit online.

Step 1: Visit the portal.lto.gov.ph website of the LTO LTMS.

• Using an existing account: Click “Log in” to access your account.

• By clicking “Register Now,” you can create a new LTMS account if you don’t already have one.

Step 2: Read the Terms of Agreement, tick the check box that says “Yes, I Accept.”

Step 3: Enter the security code that appears on the screen. Click “Next.”

Step 4: Select the registrant type that matches your profile:

Step 5: Choose “Yes” or “No” depending on whether you have a Philippine driver’s license or conductor’s license.

To register, provide the following information if you already have a license:

• The number on the driver’s license

• Date of expiration

• A copy of your official receipt (or the maiden name of your mother if you do not have your receipt)

Step 6: Confirm your nationality , then, click “Next.”

• First-time Filipino applicants: Please provide the following information:

  • The name

  • Date of birth

  • The maiden name of your mother

• Please provide the following information for alien residents:

  • ACR number (Alien Certificate of Registration)

  • The expiration date

  • The nationality of

Step 7: Provide your contact information (email address and mobile number). Non-license holders: Click “No”

Step 8: Confirm your nationality , then, click “Next.”

• First-time Filipino applicants: Please provide the following information:

  • The name

  • Observed birthdate

  • Name of mother’s maiden name

• Provide the following details for alien residents:

  • Certificate of Registration for Alien (ACR) number

  • The expiration date

  • The nationality of

Step 9: Provide your contact information (email address and mobile number).

Step 10: Go to your inbox to find the verification link. Please click the verification link and fill out the following information:

• Person to contact in an emergency

• Information regarding medical conditions

• Information general

• Please address

Step 11: After you have completed this step, your username will be assigned a 15-digit number by the portal.

Step 12: Log in to your LTMS account with your username and password provided via email and you will be redirected to your dashboard.

Step 13: From your Dashboard, select “Licensing” to submit your Student Permit application.

Step 14: Complete the online application.

Step 15: Click Next after selecting “Student’s License” from the service list.

Step 16: Select your preferred application date and LTO office on your online application form.

Video: How to get a Philippine LTO student permit

Important Reminders

• There is no official driver’s license attached to a student permit.

• Student Permits are also issued with the OR.

• In the Philippines, you must first obtain a student’s permit before getting a driver’s license.

• Required medical certificates to be submitted online in order to apply for a student permit and a driver’s license.

• Creating an account on the LTO LTMS portal is required before applying for a Student Permit.

• In order to receive permits from the LTO, foreigners must meet strict criteria regarding age and residency period.

• Theoretical Driving Courses (TDCs) must be completed with LTO or at any of the LTO-accredited driving schools, LTO Driver’s Education Centers (LTO DECs), or LTO-accredited TESDA Training Centers nationwide.

• As long as the holder has not applied for the Non-Professional Driver’s License, the Student Permit has a validity period of one (1) year from its date of issuance.

• The holder must apply for a new Student Permit if the Student Permit has not been renewed or a Non-Professional Driver’s License has not been obtained within two (2) years since it was issued.

• Unless the Student Permit comes in an orange card format, it cannot be considered a form of identification, but some government offices may accept it as one.

• In some schools, theoretical driving training is divided into three 5-hour sessions, while in others, it is split into two 8-hour and 7-hour sessions.

• After thirty-one (31) days (or one month) from the day the LTO student permit was issued, you can apply for a Non-Professional Driver’s License.

FAQs

Is there a difference between a student permit and a driver’s license?

Student permits differ from driver’s licenses. This is not a license, but rather a permission to drive a motor vehicle given to first-time drivers, to allow them to practice driving under the guidance of a licensed driver.

In contrast, non-professional driver’s licenses issued by the LTO allow you to drive vehicles weighing up to 4,500 kilograms. A professional driver’s license allows the holder to drive even heavier and larger vehicles.

What is the validity of the LTO student permit?

I don’t. The student permit is not a valid ID because it is only valid for a temporary period of time. It is acceptable as a valid ID in some government offices as long as it is in the orange card format.

How much does the LTO student permit cost?

Student permit applications cost $317.63, which is broken down into several fees, including:

• There is a fee of $150.00 for a student permit

• The application fee is $100.00

• The computer fee is ₱67.63

Which government-issued identification documents are acceptable for LTO student permits?

Here is a list of the valid government-issued IDs that can be used when applying for an LTO student permit:

• The Philippine Identification Card (Phil ID)

• The passport

• Card for Social Security System (SSS)

• Card with UMID

• ID card for PhilHealth

• Card with TIN

• Voter’s ID, Postal ID, and Barangay ID

• ID number for the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

• Senior Citizen IDs, OFW IDs, and OWWA IDs

• The National Council on Disabled Affairs (NCDA) ID number

• ID for a solo parent

• Certificate of Votership

• A GSIS e-Card is an electronic card issued by the Government Services and Insurance System (GSIS)

• The Seaman’s Book

• IDs for Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs)

• HDMF ID (Home Development Mutual Fund)

• Certification by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

• IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) ID

How long is the validity period of the LTO student permit?

LTO student permits are valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. Once the Practical Driving Course (PDC) is completed, it cannot be used or presented for the Non-professional Driver’s License application. A non-professional driver’s license can be obtained after 31 days or one month after the issuance of the student permit if you complete the driving course anytime within the validity period.

Conclusion

If you own a car and wish to drive legally by obtaining a license, then getting an LTO Student permit is a mandatory step. LTO’s LTMS portal has facilitated the process and made it more convenient. It’s as simple as completing your TDC, applying for a student permit (online or offline), and paying your fees. Upon receiving your student license, you are allowed to drive.

The LTMS portal: Visit the LTO’s official website https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/f?p=PUBLIC_PORTAL:CONTACT_US:115716301949471.

Phone: Telephone number (632) 922-9061 to 66.

Email: Email at [email protected].