Introduction
A Student Permit or Student Driver’s Permit is a requirement to obtain a driver’s license in the Philippines. In other words, it is the first step for you to study and learn how to drive a vehicle. You cannot drive a vehicle without a companion who has a Professional or Non-Professional license. Remember, the LTO says, “duly licensed driver,” and not just Professional.
Requirements and Things to Consider
Before proceeding with the steps to obtain a Student Permit, you first need to know what you should prepare and consider when obtaining it:
- You must be of legal age. You must be sixteen (16) years of age or older. If you are a foreigner, you must be eighteen (18) years of age or older, and have been in the Philippines for one month or more with proof that you will remain in the country for six (6) months or more.
- You must be able to drive a vehicle. This will also be determined when obtaining a medical certificate because this will determine if there are any conditions for the license you will be obtaining. An example is if your eyesight is blurry and you need glasses to drive.
- You must be able to read and write in Filipino or English. Filling out forms and obtaining a license is in English/Filipino.
- You must have no outstanding traffic violations.
- You must complete the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) with three (3) attendances equivalent to 15 hours. The TDC must be accredited by the LTO. It is uploaded online by the driving school, and a photocopy of it is required.
- You must have an LTO portal account. You are required to have an email address, preferably Gmail. This will be required by the LTO (LTO Client ID) and other agencies you will be applying to such as medical certificates and driving schools.
- You must have a medical certificate. Nowadays, obtaining a medical certificate is uploaded online, so you must have an LTO portal account. It also has a validity of fifteen (15) days.
- You need to prepare these documents:
- PSA birth certificate (original and photocopy)
- One (1) valid ID.
- TIN, if employed
- If the applicant is under eighteen (18) years of age, “parent’s consent” accompanied by a (valid ID) and a photocopy thereof.
- Remember, the Student Permit is only valid for one (1) year, and you can now obtain a Non-Professional license, but you cannot yet obtain a Professional license.
- You need to fill out the LTO application form. You can download it or get it at the LTO office where you can get it.
Estimated Expenses
| Medical Certificate | ₱500 |
| LTO Fees | ₱317.63 |
| Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) | ₱1,000.00 |
| Total | ₱1,817.63 |
Note: This does not include personal expenses, such as food, water, transportation. So be sure to have extra cash ready. And bring coins or smaller bills to avoid delays in paying at the LTO. TDC prices also vary, and you may be able to find a cheaper price.
What’s Next?
Previously, the so-called Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) was not required to obtain a Student Permit. But because of the new LTO system, it is required, and it helps to have knowledge about proper driving and traffic laws for new license holders to avoid getting into trouble on the road that is just a fixer for why they got a license. Now, let’s find out the process of obtaining it.
1. First, find a Driving school closest to the LTO office. At LTO Batangas, the driving school is located inside, the A2z Driving School. Their TDC costs ₱1,000.00. If you don’t want to spend money, you can get a TDC directly from the LTO, depending on the area. In CALABARZON, you can get it from the Driver’s Education Center (DEC) in Alaminos, Laguna.
2. You will be asked for an LTO Portal account if you are going to get a TDC. Also prepare the required documents for getting a TDC. Schedule an appointment on the specified day and time.
3. Now, try to complete the 15-hour TDC. You will also have to take an exam to get a TDC certificate. If you pass, you can go to the LTO to get a Student Permit.
4. When getting a Student Permit, go to the LTO early, because there is usually a line to get it. This is for walk-in, like in Batangas City, Concepcion Region 4A. If you want to schedule using the LTO Portal, use your LTO Portal account, or if you don’t have an account yet, you can register a new account.
5. If you have any questions, you can ask the guard or the LTO Customer Service. Usually, you will be given a number so that you can be attended to inside. Wait for the number to be called, or if there is a monitor, check if your number is already flashed and go to the Evaluator to submit the prepared documents. This includes the Application Form that you will fill out. There is a chance that those who work in the government may be stuck (I am not saying all of them), but remember to be patient and it is still necessary to avoid hassle.
6. There is a waiting game in LTO office. Once your paperwork has been evaluated and there are no errors, you’ll be directed to the Client Service Officer (CSO) to have your photo and biometrics taken.
7. Proceed to the Cashier Window. Wait for your name to be called to pay the appropriate fee for obtaining a Student Permit. You will be given a receipt after you have paid.
8. Wait for your name to be called at the last window, and sign the logsheet before receiving the Student Permit. Usually, only a paper Student Permit will be issued.
Conclusion
Having a Student Permit doesn’t means you’re are entitled to drive without companion. Remember that you must be disciplined. If you are a minor and are just using or are still in your parent’s care, do not drive the vehicle without your parent’s knowledge. If you are an adult, you must be careful when driving. It does not mean that you have a Student Permit that you are already licensed to drive a vehicle. That is why it is called a Student Permit or Student Driver’s Permit, meaning that you are still a student and are still learning to drive a vehicle. If you want to buy a lomi or a fifty-dollar burger using your vehicle, take a ride or have someone with a license with you, so that you are legally driving a vehicle as a student.
You don’t need a fixer to get a Student’s Permit. Don’t be afraid to ask questions inside the LTO office. Someone will always be willing to answer your questions to assist you with.
Hi po..ask ko lang po.first timer po ako .
Kumuha po ako ng student permit
Pero o.r lang ang nasa akin….
Kasi pagkatapos pong ibigay ang or umuwi napo ako…
Dapat papoba nilang ibigay ang sp.?
Ano pong ma e susuggest niyo.?
Same here, kumuha ako last July 4, 2017 sa Ynares Kapitolyo Pasig. 600php binayad ko sa kapirasong papel, wala daw talgang ID yan pero mga kakilala ko sa ibang LTO office binigyan sila ng ID. Nung bumalik ako para iconfirm yung ID ko kasi nga hindi daw dapat resibo lang makuha ko, ang sabi lang sakin kumuha na daw ako non-pro pra magka ID na ko tsk
Kapag student permit karaniwan papel lamang binibigay nila.
Hi po. ask ko lang po wat if nahuli na pero sp pa lang tapos expired na po yung sp. pag kumuha po ba ulit ng sp mag kakaron po ba yung ng penalty?
probably
Hi! Is there an ID that will be given if you will apply for a non pro license?
Yes.
Hi, pwede po ba akong magpa-medical kung san covered ako ng HMO ko, or need na dun sa ituturo ni LTO ako magpamedical? (sabi nila ung sa Snellen chart lang daw gagawin, kaya hindi lang P317.63 ung babayaran)
As long as accredited ng LTO ang medical, pwede.
Hello! If ever po ba kukuha ako ng student permit by june 26 , pwede na po ba ako kukuha ng non prof driver license pagka july 26 ? Please response. Thank you!
Yes.
If I do have the students permit and would like to apply for a non-professional can I do it even if my sp is less than 30 days? I am leaving the country and will be back after a year. Is it possible?
Thanks!
No, you can’t. It should be at least 30 days, that’s the rule.
Hello Sir/Mam, Good afternoon po. Ask lang po ako kng ano po ba yung requirements mag add ng code num na 3. Thank you po.
Previous license, another medical (valid only for 15 days). You’ll pay for additional restriction code at kukuha ka ng exam for that.
Step 1: You should know its eligibility and requirements.
An applicant is eligible for applying student driver’s permit if he/she is:
For Filipino Citizen
*At least sixteen (17) years old*
Physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle
Able to read and write in Filipino or English
Please check the information on your site. Your age doesn’t match
Sorry, it’s already updated. Thank you for correction.
hi po, what if po nakakuha n ng student permit kaso ndi q na po makita ung permit pde pa din po ba aq kumuha ng non pro license ? bale ilang taon n din po kasi ung student permit kya na misplaced na po. salamat
One year lang ang validity ng student permit.
May exam po ba ang student permit
My son is only 15 yrs old and knows how to drive already..can he avail the non professional driver license in lieu of student permit with my consent?
He should be at least 17 years old to obtain a student permit, for non-professional driver’s license, he should be at least 18 years old.
Hi po pwede pong mag tanong?kung mag 17na po ako this coming june 1 pwede na po ba akong maka kuha nang student permit nang june 2?
Yes
wala pong exam pag kumuha ng student permit?
Hii po asked pang po ako pwde po bang mag drive patungong school ang Student Permit?
good morning! paano po yung kapatid ko walapa po TIN never pa kasi sya nagkatrabaho at wala po sya medical, hindi po ba sya pwede makakuha ng student permit? at saan po ffill up ng application form para sa student permit?
Ask ko lang po bakit po nung nakuha na namin OR namin for STUDENT PERMIT pinauwe na kami sabi ng taga WINDOW 1….DIBA PO MAY I.D dpaat yun..makukuha ko padin ba yun pag binalikan ko po…LTO near pillia makati branch po yun
You need to update that they are not issuing Student Permit cards any more.
Uhm hello, Ask ko lang, ang student permit po ba ay naka card format? or paper format lang? sa mga nakikita ko po kase eh may mga student permit na naka card format, pero yung iba naka paper format lang.
Hi po, what If I have one eye nlng, as in di nkakakita, weak vision na tlga, Pero ung other eye naman is good vision, possible pren po kaya makakuha ng student?
Ask ko lang po OFW po ko… last year August 2018 po ko kumuha ng student permit and I just got back from KSA… kararating ko lang po ng Pilipinas and expired po student’s permit ko, how can I apply for a Non Professional License po? Salamat and Happy New Year
Hi. I am a Dual Citizen, Filipino and Canadian. I have a Learner’s Licence in Canada. Do I have to apply for a Student Licence in the Philippines or can I just use my learner’s licence to take the written and practical exam for non-professional licence. I’ve been driving with my dad as a student driver in Canada for one year.
Hi! Tanong ko lang kung pede na ba mag drive kahit student permit lang ang hawak?
sir ask ko lang po kung pwede ko pa po ba renew ang student permit ko sa non-pro/pro na driver license june,2018 po ako nag apply ng student permit
Ask lang po.. Kung saan po pwedeng magamit ang Student Permit?? May penalty hu ba pag nag drive ng motorbike kung saan-saan??
Pano po yon if papel lang po binigay.. nag aaply po kasi ako nag passport .. kailan raw po id talaga di raw po papel .. kailangan ko po bang sabihin sa kanila na for passport po yung sp??