Last verified: October 5, 2026
Independent guide. We are not affiliated with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Fees and procedures change — confirm your exact amount and requirements on the LTMS portal before transacting.
Quick answer: Renew your LTO driver’s license within 60 days before expiry. You need: (1) a CDE certificate — free online exam, 25 questions, 80% (20 correct) to pass; (2) a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic (₱300–₱500, transmitted electronically); (3) your old license and LTMS account. Base fee is ₱585 (non-pro). Zero demerit points earns you a 10-year license instead of 5.
Who needs to renew, and when
- Renewal window: you may renew as early as 60 days before the expiry date printed on your card. Do not wait until after — driving expired risks a ₱3,000 fine.
- 5 vs 10 years: drivers with zero demerit points on their LTO record automatically get 10-year validity. Any recorded violation limits you to 5 years.
- Expired 1 day to 2 years: renew with penalties (₱75 for under a year, ₱150 for 1–2 years).
- Expired more than 2 years: penalties up to ₱225 plus you must retake the theoretical and practical exams.
Requirements checklist
- [ ] LTMS portal account (portal.lto.gov.ph) with your LTO Client Number
- [ ] CDE certificate — from the free online validation exam (details below)
- [ ] Medical certificate — from an LTO-accredited clinic; results go straight to LTMS electronically (valid roughly 60 days, so don’t get it too early)
- [ ] Old driver’s license (the expiring card)
- [ ] No unsettled violations — check Dashboard → Violations on LTMS first; unpaid fines block renewal
- [ ] Payment for fees (cashier, or GCash/Maya/Landbank online)
CDE Exam: The Online Validation Test
The Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) validation exam is mandatory for renewal. Here is where this guide earns your trust.
The facts: the CDE exam is 25 randomized multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 80% — 20 out of 25 — correctly to pass. This is corroborated by 8+ independent guides and by text quoting the LTO’s own E-Learning rules (“at least eighty percent (80%) of the twenty-five (25) questions randomly selected from the bank of questions,” administered in not more than 30 minutes).
The correction: one popular 2026 renewal guide claims the CDE is 40 questions with a 75% passing score. That figure actually describes the new-applicant written exam (40 items, 30 correct for non-pro licenses) — not the CDE. If you studied a 40-question format for your renewal, you prepared for the wrong test.
How to take it:
1. Log in at portal.lto.gov.ph → E-Learning tab → CDE Online Validation Exam.
2. Available in English or Filipino. The online version has no strict time pressure — take your time.
3. Pass and your CDE certificate generates automatically, linked to your LTMS record. Take it at least a few days before your branch visit so the record fully syncs.
4. Failed? Retake free, unlimited times online.
LTMS portal vs eGovPH app: which to use
| Use this | When |
|---|---|
| LTMS portal (portal.lto.gov.ph) | CDE exam, violation checks, appointment booking, full application — the complete transaction |
| eGovPH app | Holding your digital driver’s license (legally equivalent to the plastic card), quick renewals if you prefer the app flow |
Practical advice: do the CDE exam and violation check on the LTMS website (bigger screen, fewer surprises), then finish wherever you are comfortable. Your digital license appears in eGovPH after approval either way.
How to Renew via LTMS / eGovPH Online
1. Clear violations on LTMS (Dashboard → Violations). Settle any fines first.
2. Pass the CDE exam on the portal (E-Learning → CDE Online Validation Exam).
3. Get your medical certificate at an LTO-accredited clinic — tell them your LTMS Client Number so results transmit electronically.
4. Start the renewal application on LTMS, choose your preferred licensing center, and pay online (GCash, Maya, Landbank).
5. Visit the branch for biometrics/photo capture, or follow the app’s instructions for card pickup or home delivery (Metro Manila ~3–5 business days, provincial ~7–10).
Step-by-step: walk in
1. Complete steps 1–3 above before going — arriving with CDE and medical done cuts your visit to under an hour at most branches.
2. Bring your old license and a valid ID. Dress decently (collared shirt; no slippers or sleeveless tops).
3. Get a queue number, submit documents for evaluation, do biometrics/photo, pay at the cashier, and claim your license.
Fee table (2026)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| License fee, non-pro (5 yrs) | ₱585 |
| License fee, non-pro (10 yrs, clean record) | ~₱1,009 (confirm on LTMS) |
| License fee, professional (5 yrs) | ~₱720 (confirm on LTMS) |
| Computer fee | ₱67.63 |
| Application fee | ₱100 |
| Medical certificate | ₱300–₱500 |
| CDE exam (online) | Free |
| Late: expired under 1 yr | +₱75 |
| Late: expired 1–2 yrs | +₱150 |
| Late: expired over 2 yrs | +₱225 + re-examination |
Professional and 10-year figures vary across published guides — your LTMS portal shows the exact payable amount before you confirm. Typical all-in for a non-pro renewal: ₱1,000–₱1,600.
Demerit points: the 10-year license decider
Every traffic violation adds demerit points to your LTO record. Zero points = 10-year validity on renewal; any points = 5 years. At 5–10 points (or the same violation three times) you must also pass the Driver Reorientation Course (DRC) exam — 25 questions, 20 correct — before renewing. Check your points free anytime: LTMS → Violations. Full walkthrough in our violations guide.
Renewal for OFWs
You can renew from abroad: complete the CDE exam and application on the LTMS portal with your Philippine mobile number for OTPs. The digital license in eGovPH works immediately; arrange card pickup or delivery through a representative or on your next visit home.
Buod sa Tagalog
Puwede mag-renew 60 araw bago mag-expire ang lisensya. Kailangan: CDE exam (libre online, 25 tanong, 80% para pumasa), medical certificate (₱300–₱500), at walang pending na violation. ₱585 ang base fee para sa non-pro. Kung zero demerit points, 10 taon ang validity imbes na 5. Suriin ang violations sa LTMS bago mag-apply.
Troubleshooting
CDE certificate not showing on my application. Take the exam at least 3 days before your branch visit so the record syncs to the central database. Re-check under E-Learning → certificates.
Medical results not transmitted. Confirm the clinic is LTO-accredited and that you gave your correct LTMS Client Number. Ask for a printed copy as backup.
“Renew” button is greyed out. Almost always unsettled violations or a missing CDE/medical record. Check Dashboard → Violations first.
Portal slow or down. Try off-peak hours or a different browser. In mid-2026 an LTMS outage triggered a nationwide validity extension (MC MVL-2026-5271) — check LTO announcements before assuming penalties apply.
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Related guides: LTO Complete 2026 Guide · Student Permit · New Non-Pro License · Check Violations & Demerit Points · Vehicle Registration Renewal
Last verified: 2026-10-05. Official source: portal.lto.gov.ph. CDE format (25Q/80%) corroborated by 8+ sources incl. ltoportal.ph, carmudi.com.ph, respicio.ph, businessdiary.com.ph; the 40Q/75% claim appears only on motorist.ph and matches the new-license written exam. Fees per respicio.ph, motorist.ph, expatden.com — confirm exact amounts on LTMS.
Always confirm details on the official government portal:
Visit the official LTO portalFrequently asked questions
Is the CDE exam really 25 questions, not 40?
Yes for renewal. The CDE validation exam is 25 questions / 80% (20 correct). The 40-question / 75% figure belongs to the new-license written exam — one popular guide mixed them up.
How early can I renew?
60 days before expiry. Renewing early does not shorten your next validity period.
Do I need a drug test for renewal?
No — not required for standard renewals under RA 10586.
Is NBI clearance required for LTO renewal?
No, not for standard renewals.
What if I fail the CDE exam?
Retake it free online, as many times as needed. Review road safety, traffic signs, and the special laws (RA 10586, RA 8750, RA 10913, RA 11229).
Can I renew with pending violations?
No — settle all fines first. The portal blocks the renewal until your record is clear.
How do I get my CDE certificate online?
Log in at portal.lto.gov.ph → E-Learning tab → CDE Online Validation Exam. It is free, available in English or Filipino, and you can retake it unlimited times. Pass (20 of 25 correct) and the certificate generates automatically on your LTMS record — take it at least a few days before your branch visit so it fully syncs.
What is the penalty for an expired driver's license?
Renewal penalties: ₱75 if expired under 1 year, ₱150 for 1–2 years, ₱225 plus re-examination if expired over 2 years. Separately, driving with an expired license risks a ₱3,000 fine if apprehended — renew within the 60-day early window to avoid both.
