A Newbie Driver’s Guide to LTO Student Permit Requirements

Driving a car for the first time? Driving legally in the Philippines requires a license. To qualify for a driver’s license, you must first obtain a student license from the Land Transportation Office (LTO). For your convenience, here is an informative guide to LTO student permit requirements, steps, and fees.

What is an LTO Student Permit?

LTO student permits are official documents that allow the holder to drive a vehicle in the Philippines in the presence of someone with a professional or non-professional driver’s license.

A student permit is valid for a year from the date of issue, giving you enough time to learn traffic signs and rules, improve your driving skills, and prepare for LTO driving exams. It cannot be revised, modified, or renewed.

LTO Student Permit Requirements in 2024

👤 Qualifications

The following conditions must be met in order to qualify for a student permit:

• Citizens of the Philippines: At least 16 years old

• Residents of the Philippines must be at least 18 years old and have lived in the country for a minimum of six months.

• Being physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle

• Filipino and English are both languages I am capable of reading and writing

• A successful completion of the LTO’s Theory of Driving Course is required

• Violations of traffic laws have not been unsettled

📋 Student License Requirements 

The next step is to prepare these requirements for a student license application:[1]

• You can get a completed driver’s license application form from the LTO’s website[2].

• An electronic medical certificate issued by an LTO-accredited medical clinic and registered physician (must include one photocopy of the original).

• The original and a photocopy of any of the following:

  • Certificate of birth issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

  • Card of Identification of the Philippines

  • The passport

  • The local civil registry

  • Certificate of marriage issued by the PSA

• For applicants below 18 years old:

  • LTO student permit application consent letter from parent or guardian.

  • Please provide one original and one photocopy of a valid government-issued ID with photo and signature for each parent or guardian.

• Original and photocopy of any government-issued ID with the applicant’s photo and signature.

• If applicable, the taxpayer’s identification number (TIN).

• Original and photocopy of Theoretical Driving Course Certificate (this should be electronically transmitted to the LTO by the accredited driving school, LTO DEC, or TESDA training center).

• Foreigners:

  • Original and photocopy of passport with entry date of at least one month and visa expiration date of six months

  • A birth certificate authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority and one photocopy of the original

• LTO Client ID

For easy reference, you can also download this handy guide to LTO student permit requirements:

How to Get a Student License from the LTO

For your LTO student license application to be processed, you must complete 15 hours of theoretical driving. It is free to take the course at any LTO Driver’s Education Center.

The TDC can also be taken at your preferred LTO-accredited driving school for an additional fee if you have the funds. As per LTO Memorandum Circular 2023-2390, TDCs offered by driving schools are capped at $1,000.

There is no actual driving involved in these sessions. Instead, they emphasize non-practical aspects such as traffic laws and driving etiquette.

The application process can begin once you have all the requirements for a LTO student permit.

LTO Student Permit Walk-In Application Steps

To obtain your student license at an LTO branch, follow these steps:

1. Fill out the Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form at any LTO licensing center or district/extension office (if you’re in NCR, here’s a list of LTO branches in Metro Manila).

2. Please proceed to the customer service window to obtain a number.

3. Once they call your number, submit the student license requirements. Upon receiving your documents, the receiving personnel will check to see if they are complete before handing them over to an evaluator to assess. The LTO system will encode your application and forward it to the approving officer if you are qualified.

4. A photo and signature will be taken after your application is approved.

5. Fees for student license applications can be paid at the cashier. You should keep the official receipt that was issued to you.

6. You can claim your student permit card at the Releasing counter by presenting your receipt. For driver’s license issuance, you’ll also receive a driving exam reviewer from the LTO.

7. Sign the release form by writing your name.

The process for getting a non-professional license takes one month after you get a student permit. You must hold a student license for at least six months before you can obtain a professional license.

Read Aslo:LTO Transactions Made Easier: How to Use the LTMS Portal

LTO Student Permit Online Application Steps

Are you wondering how to get your student permit online? Students can apply for their LTO permits online through the LTO’s web portal. On desktop, mobile, and tablet, you can access the public portal for the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).

Here is how to schedule an online appointment for a student permit through the LTMS:

1. Please visit https://portal.lto.gov.ph to register if you have never done so before.  If you have already registered, click Log In.

2. Click Yes, I accept the Terms of Agreement after reading them. Before proceeding to the next step, encode the security code. You can click Next on the lower right corner of the page when you are finished.

3. You can choose the type of registration you want. Click Enroll as an Individual and fill out the registration form.

4. If you already have a driver’s license, you’ll be asked. Please select No since you are applying for a student permit. In the case of a driver’s license, you will need to enter the number, expiration date, and security question associated with the license.

5. Provide your personal information, including your email address, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, and contact information.

6. Verify your email by clicking the link in the email. Within 24 hours, verify your email. If you fail to do so, your account will automatically be deleted.

7. Make sure your password is secure (at least eight characters, alphanumeric, with uppercase and lowercase letters).

8. Using your login information, sign into your account.

9. On your dashboard, click Licensing and fill out the online application.

10. You can select Student’s License under the type of service list.

11. Complete the LTO student permit application form by selecting the preferred application schedule and LTO office. A medical certificate can also be submitted and payments processed through the LTO website.

12. Visit your preferred LTO office to collect biometrics and claim your permit.

Tips for Student Permit Applicants and Holders

When applying for a student permit and driving as a student license holder, keep these tips in mind.

Undergo a Medical Exam at an LTO-Accredited Clinic

A medical certificate is one of the requirements for applying for a student license. It will prove that you are physically and mentally fit to drive. A medical certificate will indicate if you have a health condition that will affect your driving abilities.

The LTO, however, only accepts medical certificates issued by accredited clinics and registered physicians. Getting a medical certificate from a non-accredited clinic and doctor is a waste of time and money. Find LTO-accredited clinics near the LTO office.

Bring Enough Cash for the Medical Exam and Student License Fee

Student permit fees are not the only cost associated with getting a permit. It is also necessary to factor in the cost of the medical exam, which ranges from 350 to 500 dollars. Be sure to bring extra cash with you so you can cover these LTO fees.

If you have an HMO or health card, you can use it to cover the medical exam fee.

 Apply for a Driver’s License Before Your Student Permit Expires

Expiring student permits cannot be accepted by the LTO when applying for a driver’s license. The student permit must be submitted before its one-year validity period expires in order to get a driver’s license.

Remember:You can apply for a non-professional license one month to a year after your student permit is issued. Upon receiving your student permit, you can apply for a professional license between six months and a year later.

Come Prepared

Being early pays off when it comes to getting a student license. It is not unusual for people to arrive at LTO branches as early as 6 a.m. just to get in line.

It is advisable to check the LTO branch’s operating hours before you go, as they may change without warning. You should wear appropriate clothing (office attire is a safe bet). In addition, bring a pen with you to avoid having to borrow one, causing a delay in processing your student permit.

Skip of the Fixers

A student permit appointment with the LTO is challenging, so it’s tempting to pay someone to do it for you. Aside from the fact that it is illegal, planning and preparing for your student permit application can help you save a great deal of money. In addition to learning the steps, you can also prepare the requirements and go to an LTO branch to complete them.

FAQs

How do I apply for a student permit?

1. You can enroll in a Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) at a LTO-accredited driving school or you can take a free TDC at your local LTO Driver’s Education Center.

2. Your Student Permit application must meet all the requirements.

3. Apply for a Student Permit at the LTO Office.

How much is TDC for student permit?

How much does TDC cost? The TDC is free at any LTO branch or DEC nationwide. For face-to-face sessions with a driving school, however, the price ranges from Php 1,500.00 to Php 2,500.00.

Conclusion