3 Simple Steps in Applying for a Professional Driver’s License

Transportation is one of the major needs of a student and a working people in the Philippines. If you are going to one place to another you need a means of transportation, and here in the Philippines, the common public utility vehicles are jeepneys, tricycles, taxis, and buses. And if you want or you need to drive a public utility vehicles you need a driver’s license which is a professional driver’s license as it is categorized to be restricted for both public and private vehicles. You can apply after six (6) months of your student driver’s permit or four (4) months of your non-professional driver’s license. As noted before (How to apply for a student driver’s permit), driving is a big responsibility. You should be responsible once you obtain your driver’s license. Before applying for a professional driver’s license in the Philippines, you should consider these steps:

Step 1: You should know its eligibility and requirements.

An applicant is eligible for applying a professional driver’s license if he/she is:
  1. At least eighteen (18) years old
  2. Physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle
  3. Able to read and write in Filipino or English
  4. Clean, neat and presentable

Note: Must not be a drug user or alcoholic. Must not be afflicted with any contagious disease or epilepsy. Wearing of sando, sports shorts, and slippers during photo-taking and examinations will not be allowed.

Requirements for applying a professional driver’s license:
  1. Duly accomplished application form for driver’s license (ADL) [Download Professional Driver’s License Application Form here]
  2. Valid student permit (at least six (6) month old/Non-Professional Driver’s license – four (4) month old) [Here’s how to get a student driver’s permit]
  3. Medical certificate with official receipt (from LTO accredited or Government physician, valid only for 15 days)
    If you have a poor vision, you should consult an ophthalmologist and bring an eyeglasses because you might regret of returning back just to have an eyeglasses
  4. Negative drug test result (from a DOH accredited drug testing center & Government Hospital)
  5. Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN), in compliance to Executive Order 98 and MC ACL-2009-1251
  6. NBI or police or court clearance
  7. Must have passed the written examination
    To pass the exam you should know the Philippine road and traffic rules as well as the ethics in driving. Before taking the exam, the LTO personnel will teach you those things, giving you a reviewer as well. To be more prepared, there’s an LTO Exam Reviewer in this site [Here’s the LTO Exam Reviewer in English] [Here’s the LTO Exam Reviewer in Tagalog].
  8. Must have passed the practical examination
    It is important that you know how to drive first before you apply for a driver’s license. You can bring your own car/motorcycle for actual driving examination, or you could use their car/motorcycle, both have fees.

Note: There will be no more drug test required for all driver’s applications & renewals in accordance to Republic Act No. 10586.

Step 2: You should know where to apply.

Venue for applying a professional driver’s license:

You can apply at any licensing center/district office with new driver’s license transactions.

Step 3: You should know its procedures.

Procedures for applying a professional driver’s license:
  1. Go to the customer service counter to get your checklist of requirements and secure a driver’s license application form. [This form is available for download here. You can accomplish this form prior to transacting your business at the LTO.] Get a queue number.
  2. When your number is called, go to the evaluator counter and submit all the required documents and have it checked for completeness and authenticity.
  3. When your name is called, go to where your photo and signature will be taken.
  4. Go to the cashier to pay the application fee.
  5. Go to the Examination Room for the lecture and written exam (You can review the LTO exam here).
  6. After passing the written exam, wait for your name to be called for the practical exam.
  7. After passing the practical exam, go to the Cashier when your name is called for payment of necessary fees and obtain an official receipt (OR).
  8. Go to the releasing counter, wait for your name to be called and present the OR and claim the card type license.
Fees and charges for applying a professional driver’s license:
Application FeeP100.00
Computer FeeP67.63
License FeeP350.00 P585.00
Computer FeeP67.63
TotalP585.26 P820.26
Remember:
  1. Never apply with fixers. It’s easy to apply for a Non-Professional Driver’s License, you can do it on your own. Be punctual, in my experience when I applied at noon, there is a little chance of getting into their quota. Perhaps if you go to the LTO office early in the morning (around 6:00 a.m.) you could have a higher chance. Be patient, there are several steps in order for you to obtain a driver’s license. Driving is a passion, so is waiting.
  2. Professional Driver’s License will expire after three five (5) years at your birthday of the expiry year. You should renew it before its expiry day to avoid penalties and charges [Here’s how to renew your existing driver’s license].
  3. Professional Driver’s License entitles you drive PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) like jeepneys, tricycles, taxis, buses, etc.

LTO Exam

Founder of LTOExamReviewer.com. A professional driver, blogger, web developer and a good citizen, your fellow Filipino citizen from the Philippines.

Discussion

  1. RJ

    Hello sir, ask ko lang po’ pwede po bah mag apply nang license sa ibang lugar? kasi yung student permit ko po dun ako nag apply sa kung saan ako nkatira, tpos mag aaply sana ako dito sa lugar kng saan ako na assign sa trbho, pwede bah yun sir?

  2. Melanie Regio

    hi ask q lng po,,if pd kumuha ng profesional license khit di na dumaan sa non prof…
    ask q lng po if pd kumuha ng profesional license khit di n dumaan sa non pro…

    1. LTO Exam

      Oo, pwede.

      1. christian malubag

        hello sir tanong ko lang po kung pwedeng kumuha ng prof. kahit walang TIN ? student lang po ako ngayon. salamat po

        1. LTO Exam

          You need TIN because professional driver’s license is for driver who need to drive both PUV and private vehicles.

  3. Ulysses

    Hi ask ko lang po kung pwede po ba ako kumuha ng prof.license kahit na may non prof.license na ako ano po ba pwede ko gawin para mapa prof.license ko thank you po.

    1. LTO Exam

      Pwede, mayroon lang certain time at requirements, check mo lang sa article na ito kung papaano kumuha ng professional driver’s license.

  4. patrick

    hi , non prof holder po ako , pa expire na yung license ko sa january 2018, nais kong mag pa renew na bago matapos itong taon , at balak ko i pa professional . tanong lang po , if sa test driving okay lang po ba motorcycle lang i test drive , since mag aangkas ako . pero pwede pa rin ako maka acquired ng restriction 1,2 ? para for the future ? thanks in advance po

    1. LTO Exam

      Kung motor lang ite-test drive mo 1 lang restriction mo. Kung gusto mo ng motor at 4-wheels, kailan both ang test drive (1,2).

      1. patrick

        maraming salamat po , ask ko na rin po kung open lahat ng branch nyo ng nov. 17 , kasi dun po exact expire ng rehistro ng motor ko , atsaka po pala , magkano bayad ng test drive nyo na 4 wheels for professional ?

        1. LTO Exam

          Oo open LTO office. Ask niyo na lang sa local office niyo if open sa specific branch niyo.

  5. ronel

    ask lng po kung mag tetake po ba ako ng test drive 1,2 pag pumasa ba ako sa test drive 1 at bumagsak sa test drive 2 pero pumasar sa written exam. papasar po ba ako o babagsak? or papasar pero restriction 1 lng?

    1. LTO Exam

      Papasa, pero 1 lang restriction code mo, meaning motor and tricycle lang pwede mong i-drive.

  6. joven e, balajadia

    gud pm po! ask ko lng po sna, ano-ano po b requirements pra po s professional driver 1/2 restrictions? my student id n po ako.

    1. LTO Exam

      Just read the guide on this article, medical, student permit (6) mo., NBI or police clearance, TIN.

  7. ron minguito

    maam,sir.. isa po akong ofw dito sa saudi.. ask ko lang po kong paano maka kuha ng heavy equipment license (238).. na pili po kc akong maging forklift operator dito sa company namin..

    1. LTO Exam

      Dito sa Philippines ang pagkuha ng license for additional restriction code.

  8. ron minguito

    need ko kc ng 8 para maka apply ng heavy equipment license dito sa saudi.. ty po,

  9. Rowel aumentado

    Mam,sir pwedi pa bo ba kumuha ng profesional license ..10 months napo student permit ko?

    1. LTO Exam

      pwede na

  10. Richard

    Helo LTO… ask lang ng question if kumuha po ako ng non pro 1,2 or pro ng lisensya ito din po ba ang mga written exam na test sample sa branches ng mga lto…. ty

    1. LTO Exam

      Almost

  11. Analiza Epe

    Maam/ sir,mag i-8 months na ang student permit ko tomorrow, pwede pa po ba yon mka apply ng non prof or prof driver’s license?

    1. LTO Exam

      Yes, valid na iyon.

  12. BRIAN KIT

    Sir, ilang months po validity ng student permit? thanks

    1. LTO Exam

      12 months.

      1. Alvin

        Totoo na hindi na kailangan mag pa drutest? medical nalang?

        1. LTO Exam

          Yes, in accordance to Republic Act No. 10586.

  13. Angie

    Sir, gaano katagal po maprocess ang profeesional license as required by CSC?Thanks.

    1. LTO Exam

      If maaga and abot sa daily quota, within the day may license ka na if pasa ka both written and practical exam.

  14. Ryan Francisco

    Gud morning po…ask ko lng po kung pde n mag apply ngaun ng non-prof license bukas p po kc 1 month ung student permit ko..tnx for the answer

    1. LTO Exam

      After it is one month.

  15. isaac masalde saluaga

    Hi, Good day mam/sir, i would like to ask , meeron po kasi akong driver’s license with RC.1 kung mag aadd po ako ng another RC. gagawin ko po sanang 1,2 mag aaundergo po ba ako ulit sa exam at test drive?

    1. LTO Exam

      Probably.

  16. melvin

    gud pm kung mag apply ako this month ng non prof or prof tapos ang bday ko is this coming MAY ok paba..tapos wala akung TIN pwede ba ako mag apply ng prof

    1. LTO Exam

      Be sure your non-professional driver’s license is 4 months old. TIN is required sa professional driver’s license.

  17. Rhafe Boy P. Cataytay

    Maaari pa po bang mag apply ng professional drivers license ?kahit lagpas 6 mnths na ang student permit ko.. pwede po ba?

    1. LTO Exam

      Kukuha ka ng panibagong student permit.

      1. Jack

        Hi sir, 12 months po ba validity ng student permit?

        1. LTO Exam

          Yes.

  18. Runell monserrat

    Gud am sir ask lang po 10months old na po ung student ko pwede ko pa po ba i pa pro or non pro lang?

    1. LTO Exam

      Either of the two, pwede non-pro or pro. Kapag non-pro, private vehicles lang pwedeng i-drive, kapag pro, both private and PUV ang pwedeng i-drive.

      1. Ryan

        Eh may nag tanong lagpas na daw 6mos ang sp nya. Pwd paba raw ipro yun. Sabi mo kukuha ulit ng sp. Ngayon tanong nya 6mos na sp nya. Pwd ba cyang kumuha ng pro or non pro. Sabi mo either of the two. Ano ba tlaga???

      2. Ryan

        Eh may nag tanong lagpas na daw 6mos ang sp nya. Pwd paba raw ipro yun. Sabi mo kukuha ulit ng sp. Ngayon tanong nya 10mos na sp nya. Pwd ba cyang kumuha ng pro or non pro. Sabi mo either of the two. Ano ba tlaga???

  19. jnthnfr

    Meron po bang open na branch on weekends? Kuha po kasi ako ng PDL.

    1. LTO Exam

      As far as I know, walang bukas kapag weekends.

  20. jhok hernandez

    gud pm sir/mam mga magkano po ang aabutin ng pro license kasama na ang bayad sa test drive …sana po masagot nio para po ihanda ko na ang budget ko

    1. LTO Exam

      Hindi aabot ng 2k.

  21. Miguel

    Hi!
    Maganda at marami akong natutunan doon sa review ng exam.
    Tanong ko lang kung pwede bang mamili ng exam kung ingles o tagalog.
    I prefer english in taking the exam.
    Salamat po!

    1. LTO Exam

      Yes, you can choose English or Tagalog bago mag-exam.

      1. Jhonrel Pitogo

        Hi Sir tanong kulang po wala na pong TAX ngayon d na nag bibigay nag TIN number yong BIR required pa po ba ito? kaylangan paba?

      2. Emilyn

        Good evening po, will just like yo ask kung saan po ang ibang satelite office nyo na pwede kumuha ng drivers license maliban sa Angono at San Juan. Thank you.

      3. Alvin laygo

        I’m Alvin ask ko Lang po, I have a license non pro w/ ristriction code 1,2 Kung e papa professional ko po kailangan PA ba ng test drive and exam? Tnx po.

  22. sarmiento emmuel

    magandang umaga po tanong ko lang po pwede po ba ako kumuha ng non prof. license.khit wala po aq TIN no.

    1. LTO Exam

      Yes

  23. Romy

    HI maam / sir..ask lng ko if pwd bah mapagsabay ang RC 2,3?

  24. Kint

    Good pm po, kahapon naka pasa ako sa written exam pero hindi pa ako nakapag actual driving test kasi kailangan ko umuwi sa bahay dahil may emergency, tapos pwede pa po ba ako pumunta ulit at ipatuloy yung driving test? Or uulit ba sa process ulit?. Malayo talaga kasi ang lto dito.

    1. LTO Exam

      Sabihin mo lamang sa LTO dapat prior na mayroong emergency if umalis ka. But ask mo din again if they will allow you with that.

  25. bian

    good pm sir pwde bang kumuha ng professional driver license na nkasalamin? at pwde po bang mag drive ng puj na nkasalamin na? bata pa yong mag drive mga 32 years old kaya lng nag eyeglass na siya. salamat po sa reply. godbless po

    1. LTO Exam

      Yes, magkakaroon lamang ng conditions indicated sa license A. Wear eyeglasses LTO Driver’s License Restrictions and Conditions

      1. Jonathan Arroyo

        Hi Sir/Mam,

        May light motor vehicle driving liscense na po ako Sa bansang UAE at nakakuha na din po ako ng International Driving Liscense para makapagdrive sa kahit anung bansa. Ask ko po Kung pwede na po ba ako direct makakuha Ng Prof. driving liscense ditobsa LTO.

      2. Jhojo

        Good morning po.. ask ko lang kung pwede ako magdrive ng motor.. restriction code ng license ko ay 2 and 3… thanks in advance

      3. Mercy medina

        Hello po! Ask ko lang po magkano pag kuha ng non prof? Thanks

      4. Rico

        Ano po ba requirements kpag for correction lang ng isang letter sa surname ,kpag nag apply na ng non pro?

        Thanks

      5. Alvin laygo

        I’m Alvin ask ko Lang po, I have a license non pro w/ ristriction code 1,2 Kung e papa professional ko po kailangan PA ba ng test drive and exam? Tnx po.

  26. Jay

    Sir ask ko lang po if di ko napasa written exam …lahat po ba bg binayad ko babayaran ko ulit sa susunod na mg eexam ako?

  27. Mario

    Sir pede po ba kumuha ng prof 238 kahit student lang?kailangan ko kasi merong license sa forklift lang sana.

  28. Rolly O. VIllanueva

    Good Day .
    hingi po ako ng advice mag re renew po ako ng Npdl to Pdl.. ano po ba mga need na req ..T.I.A

  29. Jhojo

    Good morning po.. ask ko lang kung pwede ako magdrive ng motor.. restriction code ng license ko ay 2 and 3… thanks in advance

  30. Roger Quinones

    Sir,good day pwede ko pa po bang i renew ang proffessional licensce ko 1,2 po yong code kaya lang 6 years na pong expire o babalik po ako sa student

  31. PHILIP

    Magandang araw po , pwede po ba ako makakuha ng professional license kahit wala akong student permit? at pano po kung hindi pa akong taxpayer’s salamat po.

  32. Royce

    Good day po. May mga katanungan po ako.

    1. Ano ang requirements at magkano lahat magagastos pag kukuha pong non-pro license (restriction 1 lang)?

    2. Binangonan area lang po alam kong may drive test. San pa po meron?

    3. Gaano po katagal bago makuha ang lisensya?

    4. Kapag automatic lang ang alam. Papayagan po kaya ako? Yun ang motor namin e. Baka ipa-drive test po kasi akong may clutch.

    5. 11months na po ang student license ko. Pwede po ba akong pro na restriction 1 lang?

    Maraming salamat po sa sagot.

  33. Jem Reyes

    Good Pm,
    Ask ko lang po kung pwd na akong mag take nang Pro or Non-Pro licensed kung ang student permit ko is 3 months old palang? if not ilang months po ang required for non pro and pro?

    Warm regards,
    jem

  34. paul

    pwede po ba sarili kong motor ang gagamitin para sa test drive para makakuha ng pro.driver license?

  35. Ariel Ogabar

    Morning po.. Yung License ko po is professional 1,2 ang restriction gusto ko po na dagdagan ang restriction para maging 1,2,3 professional ano po ba ang requirements…??!

  36. Dennis ramos

    Sir pede po ba yung motor lang po ang idrive mo pero pro na licence ang kukunin
    Yung medical po ba ay xtray lang
    Salamat

  37. MARK TUBA

    Hi maam/sir,

    Im Asking about my license it was already expired almost 3 years. What is the process if im renew my license. thank you
    I need your help about this matter.

  38. Russell

    Sir tanong ko lang po kung pwede b akong mag pa pro.license kahit sa 2022 pa expired ng non.pro license ko?? At mag kano poh b ito?? Salamat po s sagot..

  39. Russell

    Sir/mam pwede po b akong mag pa pro.license kahit na p ang expired ng license ko is 2022 p.. non.pro po kac gmit ko.. ggmtin koh lng po kac s hanap buhay?? At mag kano po ito?? Slamat po s sagot

  40. Francine

    Hi, paexpire na po non pro ko 1 & 2, ipapa professional ko na din sana before magexpire. Tapos magaadd na din ng restriction 3. Magkano po kaya aabutin? At may kailangan months po bang hintayin bago mapa rc 3?

  41. Mercy medina

    Hi po! Tanong ko lang po magkanu aabutin pag kumuha ng non prof? Thanks!

  42. Arj

    Tanong ko lng po pwde Po ba kumuha ng profisional kahit po hnd na ko dumaan ng non pro tapos po ilang months po pwde kumuha ng profisional salamt po

  43. Angelito V. Bislig

    I have a proffessional saudi driver’s license..Is it possible to get a proffesional driver’s license?

  44. Michael arvin

    Hello. Ask ko po kung need pa din ng TIN kahit prof. (1) lng po ung kukunin ko? Tnx po

  45. Fern

    Hello po tungkol po sa TIN number, kahit po bah studyante kailangan parin kumuha?

  46. Romel

    Hello, just want to ask if it is required for a company driver to have professional driver’s license. The company driver rides in a motorcycle and delivers food to our customers in Makati area. Is license should be professional or non professional?

    Thanks!

  47. apple

    Pwede po ba kumuha ng lisensya ang buntis? May student permit na po ako.

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