Last verified: October 5, 2026
Independent guide. We are not affiliated with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Fees and procedures change — confirm on the LTMS portal before transacting.
Quick answer: A student permit is your first step to driving legally in the Philippines. You must be 16+ (parental consent if 16–17), complete the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (free at LTO centers, capped at ₱1,000 private), pass a medical exam (₱300–₱500), and pay ₱317.63 in LTO fees. It is valid for 1 year and cannot be renewed — convert it to a non-pro license before it expires.
Who can apply
- Age: at least 16 years old. Ages 16–17 need written parental/guardian consent; 18+ apply on their own. No maximum age.
- You must be physically and mentally fit to drive (the medical exam checks this).
- Foreigners may apply with a valid visa and ACR — confirm current requirements with your chosen branch.
Theoretical Driving Course (TDC): free and paid options
The TDC is mandatory and covers traffic laws, road signs, and driving etiquette — no actual driving involved.
- Free option: LTO Driver’s Education Centers offer it free, but slots fill fast — book early.
- Private option: LTO-accredited driving schools charge up to ₱1,000, the cap set by LTO Memorandum Circular JMT-2023-2390.
- After passing the TDC’s final written test, your certificate is transmitted electronically to your LTMS record. Wait for it to reflect online before applying.
Requirements checklist
- [ ] TDC certificate (electronic, on your LTMS record)
- [ ] Medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic — give them your LTMS Client Number for instant transmission
- [ ] PSA birth certificate (original)
- [ ] Valid ID (for 18+; for minors, the parent/guardian’s valid ID plus the consent letter)
- [ ] LTMS account — register at portal.lto.gov.ph if you don’t have one
Step-by-step application
1. Finish the TDC and confirm the certificate shows on your LTMS account.
2. Get your medical exam at an LTO-accredited clinic near your chosen branch.
3. Book via LTMS (or walk in): fill out the Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form completely and honestly.
4. Document evaluation — staff verify your TDC, medical, and birth certificate against the LTMS database.
5. Biometrics and photo capture — dress decently (collared shirt; no slippers, sleeveless tops, or shorts).
6. Pay at the cashier and keep the official receipt.
7. Claim your permit at the releasing counter — printed on official LTO security paper.
Fee breakdown (2026)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | ₱100.00 |
| Student permit fee | ₱150.00 |
| Computer fee | ₱67.63 |
| LTO subtotal | ₱317.63 |
| Medical exam | ₱300–₱500 |
| TDC (private, optional) | up to ₱1,000 (free at LTO centers) |
| Realistic total | ₱600–₱800 (free TDC) or ₱1,600–₱2,000 (private TDC) |
2026 fee update: In September 2026 the LTO began phasing out its old STRADCOM system (Memos MVL-2026-207 and MVL-2026-208) and scrapped the ₱169.06 computer fee charged through it. The computer-fee line in older published schedules may no longer appear — confirm your exact total on the LTMS portal before paying.
Rules while holding a student permit
- Valid 1 year from issuance. It cannot be renewed or extended — if it lapses before you get your license, you start over (new TDC, new medical, new fees).
- You may only drive accompanied by a licensed driver (pro or non-pro with at least 1 year of driving experience).
- Convert to a non-professional license within the year by passing the written and practical exams — see our new license guide.
Buod sa Tagalog
Ang student permit ang unang hakbang para legal na matutong magmaneho. Kailangan: 16 taong gulang pataas (may pahintulot ng magulang kung 16–17), 15-oras na TDC (libre sa LTO o hanggang ₱1,000 sa private), medical exam (₱300–₱500), at ₱317.63 na bayad sa LTO. 1 taon lang ang bisa at hindi puwedeng i-renew — kunin ang non-pro license bago ito mag-expire.
Troubleshooting
TDC certificate not on my LTMS record. Certificates transmit electronically after you pass — allow a day or two, then confirm with the driving school that they uploaded it.
Medical results missing. Make sure the clinic is LTO-accredited and received your correct LTMS Client Number. Get a printed copy as backup.
Name mismatch (birth certificate vs ID). Fix discrepancies at the PSA or through the portal’s records flow before applying — mismatches stall evaluation.
No TDC slots at the LTO center. Slots open weekly and fill fast; check early mornings, or take the capped-₱1,000 private course if you are in a hurry.
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Related guides: LTO Complete 2026 Guide · New Non-Pro License · Driver’s License Renewal · Check Violations
Last verified: 2026-10-05. Official source: portal.lto.gov.ph. Fees per published 2026 guides (₱317.63 LTO subtotal); TDC cap per LTO MC JMT-2023-2390, cross-checked against published 2026 guides. Confirm exact amounts on LTMS.
Always confirm details on the official government portal:
Visit the official LTO portalFrequently asked questions
Magkano ang student permit?
₱317.63 in LTO fees (₱100 application + ₱150 permit + ₱67.63 computer fee), plus ₱300–₱500 for the medical exam and the TDC — free at LTO Driver's Education Centers or up to ₱1,000 at accredited private schools. Realistic total: ₱600–₱800 with a free TDC, ₱1,600–₱2,000 with a private TDC.
Can I apply for a student permit fully online?
Partially. You can register and book on the LTMS portal, but biometrics, photo capture, and claiming still require a branch visit.
How long is the TDC certificate valid?
One year. If your student permit application lapses beyond that, you retake the TDC.
What if I fail the TDC final test?
Retake it with the driving school or LTO center — there is no LTO-imposed limit, but the school may charge for repeats.
Can a student permit holder drive a motorcycle?
Only while accompanied by a duly licensed driver, same as cars. The restriction is about supervision, not vehicle type.
My permit expires next month and I'm not ready for the license exam. Can I extend it?
No. There is no extension or renewal for student permits. Apply for a new one if it expires.
Do I need the practical driving course (PDC) for a student permit?
No — the PDC is required later, when upgrading to a non-professional license.
