A Step by Step Guide on How to Have a Philippine Driver's License (Non-pro)!

QUEZON CITY, Philippines - Driving could be hard for newbies. But getting a driver's license (DL) is a little bit harder. You need to tell yourself "I won't give up!" Why hard you ask? Well, first of all, if you really want a legit DL, you must follow all the instructions, pass all the exams (driving test included,) and go through the exhausting process--and that means by waiting and waiting and waiting in long queues.

Here is a step by step guide on how to get a DL.

1. Obtain a Student Driver's Permit to any LTO branch near you.

The first thing you needed to get is a Philippine Student Driver's permit. This is not intended for school students. I have a young friend who thought that the Student Driver's permit is the driver's license for young kids 16 and above. No. This ain't it. Okay? In fact, all drivers (no matter how old) must get this in order to get the DL itself. This is a primary requirement!

But hep-hep, please make sure you are qualified to have one. Here's the deal:

Qualifications:
1. Must be at least sixteen (16) years old.
2. Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle.
3. Must be able to read and write in Filipino or English.

Are we good? If so proceed. Here's what to do next.

A. Prepare the following docs:

1. Original with photocopy of birth certificate.
In the absence thereof, any of the following:
a. Joint affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons who know the applicant and who can attest to his/her age and identity accompanied by non-availability of record from NSO or local civil registry office.
b. Any legal document to prove his age and identity such as GSIS, SSS, Passport or any government issued identification card.
2. For applicants below 18 years old, require parent’s or guardian’s written consent with photo copy of ID Card to prove his/her identity. If not accompanied by parent/guardian, the written consent must be duly notarized.
3. Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) if employed
4. Duly accomplished Application for Driver’s License (ADL)

Make sure you have your TIN document ready. It could be your TIN ID, any tax form or a legal document or ID that's showing your TIN. In my case I showed them a tax form that is verifying my RDO. And it got approved! AND DO NOT FORGET TO PHOTOCOPY YOUR DOCUMENTS!

B. Go to the nearest LTO servicing branch (One Stop Shops included.) Yes, you don't have to go to LTO East Avenue (for NCR applicants) to get this.

Follow these simple instructions:

1. Proceed to the Customer Service Counter to get your checklist of requirements and secure a Driver’s License Application Form. Get a queue number and wait for your number to be called.
2. When your number is called, proceed to evaluator counter and submit all the required documents and have it checked for completeness and authenticity.
3. Proceed to the Photo taking /Signature Area to have your picture and signature taken when your name is called.
4. Proceed to the Cashier when your name is called to pay the necessary fees and obtain an Official Receipt.
5. Proceed to the Releasing Counter when your name is called and present the Official Receipt and claim the Student Driver’s Permit.
C. Please take note of the fees:

Application Fee 100.00
Computer Fee 67.63
Student Permit Fee 150.00
TOTAL 317.63

This process may take up to 1-3 hours, depending on number of customers they are assisting. I remember going to LTO One Stop Shop Cubao (near TIP) in the morning and got it a little later after an hour and a half. And that's it! You now have your Student Permit! Weeeeee!

2. Learn how to drive for at least one month.

One month? It's actually a month from the time you obtained a Student Permit. So basically, you needed to wait for a month before actually getting a real DL. No matter how good you are. No exceptions. Period.

Now, a month? Challenge accepted!

In my case, I actually enrolled in a driving school. My aunt recommended SMART Driving School. I took a 15-hour (15 days) course because I have never driven before. It costed me P6,600. But hey, it's worth it. I will make a review about this driving school sometime in the future.

If you don't have money to pay for driving classes then use your own car (which I find ironic, how can you afford a car and not driving lessons. Haha.) or a friend's or your mom's. But remember this: YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE IF YOU ARE WITH A PERSON WITH A PROFFESIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE. If you got pulled up by the traffic police and you are with a guy who has a Non-Pro DL, then you are dead -- both of you.

TIPS: Practice reverse, uphill and downhill. It's part of the driver's exam.

3. Get the Non-Pro DL by going to LTO East Ave (NCR applicants)!

Finally, after a month of learning how to drive and having many gasgas to your mom's car, you are now eligible to get a real DL! Hoophoop!

And the qualifications:

1. Must be at least seventeen (17) years old.
2. Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle.
3. Must not be a drug user or alcoholic.
4. Must be able to read and write in Filipino or English.
5. Must be clean, neat and presentable (wearing of sando, playing shorts and slippers during photo-taking and examinations will not be allowed).

For those 16 year old, sorry babies! Wait for your next birthday! *Evil laugh!*

A. Prepare the following docs:

1. Duly accomplished Application form for Driver’s License (ADL).
2. Valid Student Permit (at least 1 month old)
3. Medical Certificate with Official Receipt (from LTO accredited or Government physician)
4. Negative drug test result (from a DOH accredited drug testing center & Government Hospital)
5. Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) if employed
6. Must have passed the written and practical examinations

Honestly, I wasn't asked for no. 5.

And before going to LTO East Ave have your pee checked for drugs (drug test result) -- must be negative and have a physical exam (medical) -- the medical exam is basically your height, weight and vision. That is freaking all.

I am a bit upset about getting one of these. (I only have to deal with the medical because I still have my employer's drug test which is valid for a year.) The government should have at least one inside the premises of LTO itself. Because you really have to deal with the annoying guys who are around LTO East Ave who I think are fixers. I don't feel safe talking to these guys. But anyway, I just told them I was good and didn't need further assistance and they left me alone at once.

TIP: if there's a government hospital (or any accredited clinics) near you, do the exams there! This way, you can just go inside the LTO directly (without having to deal with the fixers) and feel safe there!

From this point: you have already spent at least PHP400.

Medical fee: P150

Drug test: P200-P350

B. Go inside LTO and follow these steps:

1. Proceed to the Customer Service Counter to get your checklist of requirements and secure a Driver’s License Application Form. Get a queue number and wait for your number to be called.
2. When your number is called, proceed to evaluator counter and submit all the required documents and have it checked for completeness and authenticity.
3. Proceed to the Photo taking /Signature Area to have your picture and signature taken when your name is called.
4. Proceed to the Cashier when your name is called to pay the application fee.
5. Proceed to the Examination Room for the lecture and written exam.

Sorry to cut you off, but with the exam, you need not to worry. You will be given time to review and you can choose between Tagalog and English manuals. I chose English because I am so conyo. Haha. Read them carefully and just read the "highlighted" answers only. This way you will not be confused. The exam questions are randomly computer generated so do not copy your seatmate's answers! The exam is 40 items. I don't know the passing grade but you will know if you failed because you might be asked to retake the test.. I don't know. :)

6. After passing the written examination, wait for your name to be called for the practical exam.

The moment of truth. And oh, I was so upset that I needed to pay for P250 (mandatory for those who have no cars with them) for the car RENTAL fee. I thought it's free? But anyway, before the test you will be asked what your restriction will be. Since this article is intended for Non-pro cars only. It must be no. 2, which is automatic or manual, 4500kg and below. You will drive a manual (semi-bulok hatchback car) in the test track. You needed to go around the track once, in primera, turn left, right, in an intersection, climb a slope, go down, and go on reverse to park the car back where it's from. Easy right? It's OK if your engine stalled, mine did twice during reverse. Old car, it is. Some even stalled the engine during downhill. During my driving classes, I drove power steering cars, and the cars there aren't, so you better feel the car first. DO NOT HIT THE GUTTER or you fail. Passing is 70 points. I got XX. Secret.

7. After passing the practical examination, proceed to the Cashier when your name is called for payment of necessary fees and obtain an Official Receipt.
8. Proceed to the Releasing Counter when your name is called, present the Official Receipt and claim the Card type license.

And that's it! BE HAPPY! I was but it's so hot, I wanted to go home already. But it actually feels good to have it! Like, I am now a driver!

C. Please take note of the fees:

PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS

Medical fee: P150

Drug test: P200-P350

APPLICATION FEES
Application Fee Php 100.00
Computer Fee 67.63
TOTAL 167.63

CAR RENTAL FEE (if you don't have a car with you)

Manual/automatic car: P250

LICENSE CARD FEE
License Fee Php 350.00
Computer Fee 67.63
TOTAL 417.63

MERIENDA

Hotdog in a bun P45

Pineapple juice P15

IN TOTAL, you should prepare at least P1300.

I spent at least 5 hours in LTO, and there is no lunch break so you will be fine. But dude, it's so worth it. I was so glad I got mine finally. It was said that

"Having a driver's license is a privilege. Not a right or an honor." True.