Let's cut to the chase: You should enroll in a driving school—even if it costs you money.
Consider how much more you'll spend when you figure in a road accident because you lack proper training as a driver, something that a good driving school can provide.
You might think: "But my dad can teach me how to drive—and it's free!" Well, yes, you can learn to drive that way. However, nothing compares to getting a quality driver's education from professional instructors.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) also requires a driving course completion certificate before accepting and processing license transactions. Below, learn more about this and why attending driving schools in the Philippines is well worth your penny.
8 Reasons to Attend a Driving School in the Philippines
There are many reasons to sign up for driving lessons in the Philippines—even if you have to shell out thousands of pesos to complete your Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and Practical Driving Course (PDC).
Since some driving schools in the Philippines don't follow the verbally agreed-upon price of ₱1,400 to ₱2,500 for the TDC and a charge that won't exceed ₱4,500 for the PDC, LTO Chief Jose Arturo Tugade recently reconvened a committee that will look into the issue. The LTO Chief has committed to solving complaints of exorbitant fees in securing a driver’s license by March 2023.[1]
While we await the resolution, here are some reasons to take lessons from driving schools in the Philippines.
✔️ You Need It to Get a Driver's License
To get a driver's license, you must attend a driving school in the Philippines. All LTO sites require a TDC certificate before issuing a driver's license.[2] You can take it in a face-to-face or classroom setting or opt for a theoretical driving course online at accredited schools by the LTO.
The policy requires all LTO student permit applicants, including those with foreign and expired student permits, to attend a 15-hour driving course from an LTO-accredited driving school, an authorized driving school instructor or administrator, or from any LTO-Driver Education Center.
Non-professional and professional license applications are also required to take the course if their student permits were issued from August 3, 2020 onwards.
Related: Say No to Driver’s License Assistance from Fixers―Do These Instead
✔️ Learn from Certified Professionals
Some driving schools in the Philippines hire professional instructors certified by TESDA and accredited by the LTO. Soon, a TESDA certification will be a requirement for all driving school trainers in the Philippines before they're issued an LTO accreditation.
When a certified driving instructor trains you, you learn from someone with experience and both theoretical and practical knowledge. While a family member or a friend can teach you how to drive at no cost, you'll only learn the basics.
✔️ Get Structured Driving School Training
Learning how to drive a car is different from learning how to ride a bike. For one, a car is a complex machine compared to a bike with just two wheels, pedals, and a handlebar. Also, you can learn to bike pretty much on your own.
That isn't the case with driving a vehicle. The nitty-gritty of driving is best learned through a structured and systematic method—something a driving lesson can provide.
Instructors follow a curriculum that covers both practical and theoretical driving situations. This way, it's easier to understand the essentials of driving a vehicle.
More so, training across all accredited driving schools in the Philippines is standardized. The LTO coordinates with different academies to create a standard training program, covering key topics like basic vehicle troubleshooting and traffic rules and regulations, that all driving schools will adopt.
✔️ Reduce Your Risk of Getting Into an Accident
Undergoing driver's training in a formal institution helps you develop defensive driving skills and avoid deadly mistakes. Road awareness is one of those critical skills, as it helps you understand what situations can cause an accident and learn what to do before it happens.
Attending a driving lesson is also an excellent way to learn road safety and traffic laws. You’ll also discover how to read traffic signs properly. Not only will you prevent accidents from happening, but you’ll also avoid violating traffic rules and the hassle that comes with them.
Lastly, practicing with a driving instructor is safer than learning to drive alone. You don't want to risk life and limb practicing alone just to save money on driving school fees.
✔️ Learn Car Maintenance
First-time car owners usually need help with caring for their new four-wheeled baby. What should you check before taking the car out for a drive? How often should you change the oil? How can you tell if there's an engine issue?
These questions and more are discussed in formal driving lessons. Driving lesson training includes modules on vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting to help ensure your car won't encounter problems on the road.
✔️ Prevent Damage to Your New Car
Driving schools provide training vehicles that students can use to practice driving. Your spanking brand-new car won't get scratches and dents while you're learning as a new driver.
✔️ Get Help with Your Driver's License Application
One valuable advantage of attending a driving lesson is the assistance you get when you apply for a driver's license. Most driving schools lend their vehicles to students taking a practical driving exam at the LTO office. No need to bring your own car or rent an LTO vehicle for your exam.
Also, academies like A1 Driving School offer licensing assistance for student permits and driver's licenses as part of their services.
✔️ Gain Confidence on the Road
Confidence is a must-have for any driver. Without it, you're bound to freeze up, hesitate, or make erratic decisions that can lead to accidents.
Training in a driving school helps you stay confident in any driving situation. You get advice on what to do during emergencies like a car breakdown. Professional training also adds to a driver's confidence.
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Top 8 Driving Schools in the Philippines with LTO Accreditation
Now that you know the importance of learning from a legit and accredited driving school, it’s time to find out how much a driving lesson is in the Philippines. Here are some driving schools that you can check and compare.
🚗 A-1 Driving School
Website: www.a-1driving.com
Main branch: 2 Sta. Lucia Street, Plainview, Mandaluyong City
Contact numbers: (02) 532-2272 and (02) 532-7934
With over 60 branches nationwide, A-1 Driving School has become a household name for driving schools in the Philippines. A-1 offers nine types of driving lessons, with each course designed according to the student's level of need.
A-1's Premium Course allows students to start and end their training in a registered branch using the training vehicle of their choice, while the Executive Course picks up and drops off the student from their chosen location. The Rush Course, on the other hand, entails five to eight hours of straight driving.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
- Premium Course - Starts at ₱5,800
- Executive Course - Starts at ₱13,000
- Rush Course - Starts at ₱7,000
- Online Theoretical Driving Course - ₱2,300
- Classroom Theoretical Driving Course - ₱2,300
- Training Center Course - Starts at ₱4,000
- Fleet Driver's Training and Assessment - for inquiry
- Driver's Education 101 - for inquiry
🚗 Honda Safety Driving Center
Website: www.hondaph.com/training-courses
Main branch: KM 17, East Service Road, South Superhighway, Parañaque City
Contact numbers: (02) 8581-6700 to 6799
If you regularly pass by Skyway or South Luzon Expressway, you can’t miss the Honda Safety Driving Center on the East Service Road of Parañaque City.
HSDC is one of the driving schools in the Philippines that offer motorcycle training courses. It also offers driving lessons for individuals with little or no riding or driving experience.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
- Basic Safety Riding Course
- Basic Safety Driving Course
- Motorcycle Intermediate Course
- Automobile Intermediate Course
- Motorcycle Skills Certification
- Automobile Skills
- Truck Skills Certification
- Fleet Safety Riding Clinic
- Fleet Safety Driving Clinic
All rates for Honda Safety Driving Center courses depend on the enrollee's experience level.
🚗 Precision Driving School
Website: www.precision-driving.com
Main branch: 14 Stallion Street, Rancho Estate 1, Marikina City, Philippines, 1811
Contact numbers:(02) 8362-3851 or 09617454951
Based in Marikina City, Precision Driving School requires only four hours of driving lessons per day (for practical driving courses) and eight hours (for theoretical courses). This is to ensure students receive the optimal learning experience.
Precision Driving School has branches in Katipunan, Rizal, Pasig, and Angeles. Moreover, students can enroll and pay for their driving lessons online.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
- LTO Theoretical Driving Course - 15 hours (face-to-face and online)
- Practical Driving Course
- Refresher - 8 hours
- Intermediate - 15 hours
- Beginner - 20 hours
You can send a message on its website or official Facebook page for rate inquiries.
🚗 Prestige Driving School
Website: www.prestigedrivingschoolph.com
Main branch: 1935 Espana Blvd. corner Craig Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Contact numbers: 09173012132 or (02) 72189496
Apart from driving lessons, Prestige Driving School also offers driving assessments for both individuals and corporations. The driving school rates range from ₱2,199 to ₱34,999, depending on the student's experience level and hours per day.
Prestige also offers free licensing assistance for student, non-professional, professional, and international licenses.
It has branches in Legarda, Tayuman, Tutuban Center, Filmore and Gil Puyat Makati, Ali Mall, Pasig, and 20th Avenue in Quezon City.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
- Manual Course - Starts at ₱2,199 for remedial, ₱4,399 for refresher, and ₱8,799 for beginner
- Automatic Course - Starts at ₱3,499 for remedial, ₱6,999 for refresher, and ₱13,999 for beginner
- Sedan Dual Course - Starts at ₱3,999 for remedial, ₱6,599 for refresher, and ₱13,9199 for beginner
- Innova Manual Course - Starts at ₱3,499 for remedial, ₱6,999 for refresher, and ₱13,999 for beginner
- SUV Automatic Course - Starts at ₱5,499 for remedial, ₱10,999 for refresher, and ₱21,499 for beginner
- Compact SUV Automatic Course - Starts at ₱4,999 for remedial, ₱9,999 for refresher, and ₱19,999 for beginner
- Driving assessment with test result and certificate - ₱500
🚗 Smart Driving School
Website: www.smartdriving.com.ph
Branches: Manila, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Paranaque, Marikina, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Cebu, Nueva Ecija. For a complete list of branches, visit this link: www.smartdriving.com.ph/pages/branches.
Contact numbers: (02) 8534-7152 / 09069754546 / 09305860398 / 09959334116 / 09305034199
Another example of one of the best driving schools in Manila is Smart Driving School. It offers Executive, Masteral, and Masteral Executive Courses for those who wish to learn advanced driving skills for vehicles such as Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero, Toyota Innova, Toyota Hi-Lux, and other MPVs and SUVs.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
- Manual Course - Starts at ₱4,400 up to ₱7,680
- Automatic Course - Starts at ₱8,800 up to ₱12,800
- Theoretical Driving Course - ₱2,050
- Executive Course - Starts at ₱8,800 up to ₱15,200
- Masteral Course - Starts at ₱19,800 up to ₱57,000
- Masteral Executive Course - Starts at ₱30,000 up to ₱52,500
🚗 Socialites Driving Institute
Facebook: www.facebook.com/socialitesdrivingschool
Branches: Caloocan, Cubao, Mayon, Antipolo, Cainta, and Market! Market!
Contact numbers: 09177090314
Established in 1969, Socialites Driving School is one of the oldest driving schools in Metro Manila. It’s also one of the few accredited schools that offer an online theoretical driving course in the Philippines.
Socialites also provides lessons at home. As for rates, it depends on the number of hours you book and which day you pick for your lessons. So book your lessons on a weekday if you want to get a lower driving school rate.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
- Practical Driving Course
- Manual Sedan - Starts at ₱4,000
- Automatic Sedan - Starts at ₱6,400
- Manual (Mini MPV) - Starts at ₱5,200
- Automatic (Mini MPV- Starts at ₱6,400
- Manual MPV - Starts at ₱5,600
- Automatic MPV - Starts at ₱7,200
- Manual SUV - Starts at ₱5,600
- Automatic SUV - Starts at ₱8,800
- Theoretical Driving Course Online - ₱1,700 (₱1,000 for face-to-face)
🚗 Universal Driving School
Facebook: www.facebook.com/universaldrivingschoolph
Main branch: Block 128, Lot 23, 31st Avenue cor. J.P. Rizal Extension, East Rembo, Makati City
Contact number: 09176579619
If other driving schools charge by the hour, Universal Driving School charges students by the day. Located in Makati City, Universal Driving School offers beginner and experienced drivers lessons on defensive driving, basic vehicle troubleshooting, and traffic rules and regulations.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
- Practical Driving Course - Starts at ₱4,000 (for sedans)
- Online Theoretical Driving Course - ₱1,600
You can send a message to its official Facebook page or mobile number for more information.
🚗 Xcel Driving School
Website: xceldrivingph.com
Main branch: 314-B Maysilo Circle Street, Mandaluyong City
Contact number: (02) 8470-5996
Previously known as F1 Driving School, Excel Driving School has been around since January 2007. It opened its first school in E. Rodriguez, Quezon City. Today, it has 13 branches in Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Makati, Manila, Cainta, Antipolo, and Quezon City.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
Online Theoretical Driving Course - ₱1,500
- Classroom Lecture -₱2,000
4-Wheels Driving Course
- Sedan (Manual) - Starts at ₱5,000
- SUV (Manual) - Starts at ₱6,400
- Sedan (Automatic) - Starts at ₱7,400
- SUV (Automatic) - Starts at ₱10,600
🚗 Globe Driving School
Facebook: www.facebook.com/globedrivingschool
Branches: Quezon City and Cabanatuan City
Contact number: 09178356517
Globe Driving School may have only a couple of branches in the Philippines. But it’s one of the more established driving schools in Metro Manila, having been around since 2005. Moreover, it regularly offers promos and discounts so you can save money.
Driving School Prices and Courses Offered
Theoretical Driving Course - ₱1,499
Practical Driving Course
- Light Vehicle (Sedan)
- Manual - Starts at ₱4,800
- Automatic - Starts at ₱8,000
- Innova (Manual) - Starts at ₱7,000
- Innova (Automatic) - Starts at ₱9,500
- Hi-Lux - Starts at ₱8,200
See the complete and updated list of LTO-accredited driving schools in the Philippines on the LTO website.[3]
Related reading:
- How to Check If Your LTO Plate Number is Finally Available
- LTO Car Registration Renewal: Important Things to Remember
Final Thoughts
The benefits of taking lessons in driving schools in the Philippines outweigh its sole drawback, which is the cost. Learning independently or with a family or friend might save more bucks. But you should never scrimp on protecting your life and those of other people in your car or on the road.
For additional protection, get car insurance as well. Compare your options from top providers in the Philippines and apply easily through Moneymax:
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Sources:
- [1] LTO admits driving schools asking high fees for DL applicants, vows solution by March (Manila Bulletin, 2023)
- [2] LTO now requires new applicants for driver’s licenses to undergo seminars (Motodeal, 2020)
- [3] LTO List of Accredited Driving Schools
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