How To Get a Student Permit

This will give you the authority to drive specific types of vehicles while accompanied by a Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License holder.

The student permit will give you the chance to learn how to drive for one year before taking written and practical driving examinations. You can apply for a Student Permit at any LTO District Office, Licensing Center, and Extension Office that processes Driver’s License transactions.

Take note that a student permit is NOT an official driver’s license. If you’re caught driving a vehicle without the presence of a trained licensed driver, you will be fined a penalty fee of Php 3,000 and run the risk of getting your vehicle impounded.

1. Qualifications: Who can apply for a student permit?

According to the latest LTO Citizen’s Charter, you can apply for a student permit as long as you meet the following qualifications:

• You must be a Filipino citizen, 16 years old and above.
• If a foreigner, you must be at least 18 years old, have been staying in the Philippines for at least 1 month, and has proof of stay for at least 6 months.
• If you’re a holder of a driver’s license that has been expired for 10 years or more, you are no longer allowed to drive and are required by the LTO to apply for a student permit again.
• You must be able to read and write in English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect.
• You must be physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle.
• You must have no unsettled traffic violation.

2. Requirements

a. Basic Requirements

• Fully accomplished Driver’s License Application Form. This is also known as the Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form. You can download a copy via the official LTO website. We also have a copy that you can download right away.
• PSA-authenticated birth certificate (original and photocopy). If you can’t secure a PSA birth certificate or live in an area where there’s no PSA branch, you can present the original and submit a photocopy of your birth certificate validated by the Office of the Local Civil Registry (LCR) with an attached Official Receipt.
• Original and photocopy of any government-issued ID with photo and signature of the applicant. Government-issued IDs accepted by the LTO include the following: Philippine passport, SSS or UMID Card, PhilHealth ID, TIN Card, Postal ID, Senior Citizen ID, OFW ID, Voter’s ID, PRC ID, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID, DSWD Certification, Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF ID), GSIS e-Card, Seaman’s Book, GOCC ID, Voter’s Certification, Solo Parent ID, National Council of Disabled Affairs (NCDA) ID, OWWA ID.
• Taxpayer’s Identification Number or TIN, if you’re employed.
• Medical examination certificate (online only/electronically transmitted by the clinic). Medical certificates of Student Permit applicants should only come from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician. To save time and avoid long queues, you can get a medical certificate a few days before your date of application. As of this writing, the medical certificate costs Php 450 and is valid for two (2) months. No need to provide urine or stool samples as the medical exam will only test/measure your vision, blood pressure, and overall medical condition. Although the clinic is responsible for electronically transmitting the certificate to the LTO, applicants will still be issued a hard copy which they should present on the day of their application.
• Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificates (electronically transmitted) to prove that you have completed the required theoretical instruction given by LTO or any LTO-accredited driving schools (here’s the complete list of LTO-accredited driving schools in the Philippines as of September 30, 2021). Starting August 3, 2020, all student permit applicants are required to submit their certificates electronically to the LTO-IT system otherwise their applications will not be processed. Driving schools usually submit the certificates to the LTO on their applicants’ behalf and just provide the applicants with a personal copy which they’ll need to present to the LTO for verification purposes.

b. Additional Requirements

For minors or applicants below eighteen (18) years old:

• Original copy of the duly notarized parent’s consent or an affidavit of the guardian authorizing the applicant to secure/apply for a student permit.
• 1 valid government-issued ID of consenting parent or guardian with photo and signature (original and photocopy)

For married women:

• PSA-authenticated marriage contract (original and photocopy)

For foreigners:

• Applicant’s passport containing the following (original and photocopy): (a) Entry date of at least one (1) month; and (b) Visa duration of at least six (6) months from the date of application. Or, if born in the Philippines, submit a PSA-authenticated birth certificate (original and photocopy)

3. Fees: How much will it cost to apply for a student permit?

• TDC - ₱3,750
• Medical Certificate - ₱500
• Student Permit - ₱250
• Total - ₱4,500

4. Step-by-step Guide (Manual/Walk-in Application)

1. Before you proceed to an LTO Office and apply for a Student Permit, make sure that you have already completed a 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) otherwise your application will not be processed.
2. Arrive at the LTO office early. Preferably, choose to transact with an LTO District Office where most applicants are for renewal. LTO Driver’s License Renewal Office in select malls, for instance, is usually not crowded and will enable you to finish the application process within a day. If you’re lucky, you can get your Student Permit in less than 30 minutes.

1. Fill out the application form and prepare the required documents.
2. Submit the filled-out application form and other documents with your queue number. The evaluator will check the completeness and authenticity of your application and documents.
3. Head to the designated area for the photo/signature taking and wait for your turn.
4. The approving officer will review and approve your application.
5. Head to the cashier and pay the required fees when your number gets called.
6. The releasing clerk will issue your Student Permit in the form of an Official Receipt. After receiving your Student Permit, write your name and affix your signature on the log sheet.

5. Additional notes

• A student permit is only valid for one year.
  

• When applying for a student permit (or any driver’s license for that matter) at any LTO office, avoid wearing shorts and slippers.
  

• Ideally, get your medical exam at an LTO-accredited clinic that issues two copies of the medical certificate. This way, you won’t have to pay for another medical exam should you apply for a non-pro driver’s license later on. After all, the medical certificate is valid for 2 months while you can apply for a non-pro about a month after obtaining the student permit.

• Depending on the driving school where you’ll take the theoretical driving course, the program may be divided into either three 5-hour sessions or two sessions (8 hours + 7 hours).
  

• Again, the newly released memorandum from the LTO reveals you can no longer be issued a Student Driver’s Permit unless you have completed the mandatory theoretical driving course given by LTO or any of its duly accredited driving schools. The driving lessons should be at least 15 hours and must be completed within 2 years from the start of the course. Aside from classroom/remote learning instruction, each student must also be given a Filipino Driver’s Manual to help reinforce the lessons being taught. This Driver’s Manual can also be accessed in the LTMS under the E-learning tab. To ensure that the driving schools are really conducting the classes and to prevent applicants from circumventing the system by bribing their instructors, the LTO will give and install automated logbooks and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all its accredited driving schools. In addition to these, the LTO will also conduct regular unannounced visits and audits to the said driving schools.

• A student driver’s permit is usually not accepted as a form of identification because it’s only meant to be a temporary permit. However, in some cases, it can be considered a valid ID if it’s in a card format like when applying for a passport. It can also be used, along with the Official Receipt, for SSS transactions.