LTO Student Permit Requirements, Processes, and Fees

Driving a car for the first time? You need a license to drive legally in the Philippines. But before qualifying for a driver’s license, you must first apply for a student license at the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Here’s an informative guide to LTO student permit requirements, steps, and fees to help you with your application.

What is an LTO Student Permit?

An LTO student permit, sometimes called a student license or student permit, is an official document that authorizes the holder to drive a vehicle in the Philippines in the presence of someone with a professional or non-professional driver’s license.

The student permit is valid for one year from the issue date, which is enough time to learn road traffic signs and rules, improve driving skills, and get ready for LTO driving exams (taken during a driver’s license application). This document cannot be revised, modified, or renewed.

LTO Student Permit Requirements in 2024

👤 Qualifications

To qualify for a student permit, you need to meet the following conditions:

Filipino citizens: At least 16 years old
Foreign residents: At least 18 years old and living in the Philippines for at least one year, with proof of stay for at least six months
Physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle
Can read and write in Filipino or English
Must have accomplished the LTO’s Theoretical Driving Course
No unsettled traffic violations

📋 Student License Requirements

Next, prepare these requirements for a student license application:^[1]

Filled-out driver’s license application form you can get from the LTO website^[2]
Electronically transmitted medical certificate issued by any LTO-accredited medical clinic and registered physician (must include one photocopy of the original medical certificate)
Original and photocopy of any of the following:
- Birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- Philippine Identification Card
- Passport
- Local Civil Registry
- PSA-issued marriage certificate
For applicants below 18 years old:
- Parent or guardian’s consent letter authorizing the applicant to apply for an LTO student permit
- One original and one photocopy of any valid government-issued ID of the parent or guardian, with photo and signature
One original and one photocopy of any government-issued ID with photo and signature of the applicant
Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN), if applicable
One original and one photocopy of Certificate of Completion of the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (this should be electronically transmitted to the LTO by the accredited driving school, LTO DEC, or TESDA training center)
For foreigners:
- One original and one photocopy of passport with entry date of at least one month and visa duration of six months from date of application
- If born in the Philippines: one original and one photocopy of birth certificate authenticated by the PSA
LTO Client ID

You can also download this handy guide to LTO student permit requirements for easy reference:

lto student permit requirements

Note: Since January 2019, the LTO has required online submission of medical certificates for student permit and driver’s license applications. But no need to worry about this. The clinic will be the one to transmit your medical exam results to the LTO IT system. The clinic will give you a hard copy of your medical certificate, which you must submit to the LTO for validation.

How to Get a Student License from the LTO

You need to take the mandatory 15-hour theoretical driving course to get started with your LTO student license application. You can take the course at any LTO Driver's Education Center for free.

If you have the extra funds, you can also take your TDC at your preferred LTO-accredited driving school for an additional fee. Note that as per the LTO's Memorandum Circular 2023-2390, the price of TDCs offered by driving schools is capped at ₱1,000.^[3]

Take note that these sessions don’t involve actual driving. Instead, they focus on the non-practical aspects like traffic laws, driving etiquette, and others.

Once you have all your LTO student permit requirements, you can proceed with your application.

👉 LTO Student Permit Walk-In Application Steps

Here's how to get your student license at an LTO branch:

Visit any LTO licensing center or district/extension office (if you’re in NCR, here’s the list of LTO branches in Metro Manila) and fill out the Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form.
Proceed to the customer service window to get a number.
Submit the student license requirements once they call your number. The receiving personnel will check if they’re complete and then turn over your documents to an evaluator who will assess your qualifications. If you’re qualified, your application will be encoded in the LTO system and forwarded to the approving officer.
After your application is approved, your name will be called for photo and signature taking.
Pay the fees for your student license application at the cashier. Keep the official receipt issued to you.
Proceed to the Releasing counter and present your receipt to claim your student permit card. You’ll also be issued an LTO driving exam reviewer for driver’s license issuance.
Write your name and sign the release form.

You can apply for a non-professional driver’s license one month after getting a student permit. If you want to get a professional driver’s license, you can do so after at least six months of having a student license.

👉 LTO Student Permit Online Application Steps

Wondering how to get your student permit online? Students may apply for their LTO permit via the LTO web portal. You can access the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) public portal on desktop, mobile, and tablet.

Here's how to set up a student permit online appointment via the LTMS:

Visit https://portal.lto.gov.ph and click Register Now if you don’t have an account. Click Log In if you’ve already registered on the site.
Read the Terms of Agreement, then click Yes, I accept. Encode the security code before proceeding to the next step. Click Next on the lower right-hand corner of the page when you’re done.
Choose your registration type. Select Enroll as an Individual and proceed to the registration form.
You’ll be asked if you have an existing driver’s license. Select No as you’re applying for a student permit. (If you have a current driver’s license, you’ll need to enter your driver’s license number, its expiry date, and your answer to the security question.
Next, provide your personal information, including your email address, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, and contact details.
Check your email and click the verification link. Make sure to verify your email within 24 hours. Otherwise, your account will be automatically deleted.
After verification, create a secure password (at least eight characters, alphanumeric, with uppercase and lowercase letters).
Now, sign in to your account using your login details.
Click Licensing on your dashboard and complete your online application form.
On the service list, select Student’s License under the type of service.
Complete your LTO student permit application form by filling in your desired application schedule and preferred LTO office. You can also submit your medical certificate and process payments using the LTO website.
Head to your preferred LTO office for biometrics capturing and claiming of the permit.

Tips for Student Permit Applicants and Holders

Keep these tips in mind to avoid any hassle when applying for a student permit and driving as a student license holder.

lto student permit requirements - tips

👍 Undergo a Medical Exam at an LTO-Accredited Clinic

A medical certificate is one of the requirements for a student license application. It will serve as proof of your physical and mental fitness to drive. If you have a particular health condition that will affect your driving capability, the doctor will indicate it in the medical certificate.

However, the LTO accepts only medical certificates issued by its accredited clinics and registered physicians. You can find LTO-accredited clinics near the LTO office, so don’t waste your time and money getting a medical certificate from a non-accredited clinic and doctor.

👍 Bring Enough Cash for the Medical Exam and Student License Fee

The cost of getting a student permit includes not just the student permit fee. You also have to factor in the medical exam cost, which ranges from ₱350 to ₱500. To be on the safe side, bring extra cash with you so you have more than enough to cover these LTO fees.

You can use your HMO or health card to cover the cost to save money on the medical exam fee.

👍 Apply for a Driver’s License Before Your Student Permit Expires

The LTO doesn’t accept expired student permits from driver’s license applicants. To get a driver’s license, you must submit your student permit before its one-year validity period ends.

Remember: You can apply for a non-professional license one month to a year after your student permit issue date. For a professional license, you can apply between six months to a year after they issue your student permit.

👍 Come Prepared

One thing you must know about how to get a student license is being early pays off. Some people arrive at LTO branches as early as 6 a.m. to queue.

But before you head to your preferred LTO branch, check its operating hours first, as they can change without notice. Wear proper clothing (office attire is a safe bet). Furthermore, bring a pen with you, so you don’t have to borrow one, hold up the line, and cause a delay in your student permit processing.

👍 Skip the Fixers

It’s tempting just to pay someone to take care of your LTO student permit appointment. But aside from it being illegal, you can save a great deal of money if you prepare and plan for your student permit application. You can also learn from the whole experience, from preparing the requirements and going to an LTO branch to completing the steps.

LTO Student Permit Requirements: FAQs

1. What is the difference between a student permit and a driver’s license?

The student license is different from professional and non-professional driver’s licenses. It’s issued to first-time drivers, allowing them to learn and practice driving with the guidance of a qualified licensed driver before they can get a driver’s license.

In contrast, the LTO issues non-professional driver’s licenses to those who will drive heavier and bigger vehicles. Professional driver’s license holders are authorized to drive vehicles with a gross weight of less than or equal to 4,500 kg.

2. Is the LTO student permit a valid ID?

Strictly speaking, the student permit is only temporary and is not meant to be a valid identification number for different government offices and bank transactions.

3. At what age can you get a student license in the Philippines?

Filipino citizens need to be at least 16 years old, while foreign residents need to be at least 18 years old. LTO did not specify the student permit age limit, but note that applicants must be physically and mentally fit.

4. How much is the LTO student permit?

Wondering how much a student license is in 2023? Student permit fees amount to ₱317.63:

Student permit fee: ₱150
Application fee: ₱100
Computer fee: ₱67.63

5. What government IDs are accepted for LTO student permit applications?

Here's a comprehensive list of government IDs that you can use to apply for an LTO student permit:

Philippine Identification (Phil ID) Card
Passport
Social Security System (SSS) Card
UMID Card
PhilHealth ID
TIN Card
Postal ID, Voter’s ID, Barangay ID
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
Senior Citizen ID, OFW ID, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
National Council of Disabled Affairs (NCDA) ID
Solo Parent ID
Voter’s Certification
Government Services and Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
Seaman's Book
Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID
Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) ID
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID

6. What is the validity of the LTO student permit?

The student permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. After that, you can no longer use the permit to accomplish the practical driving course. If you complete the driving course within the validity period, you may already apply for a non-professional driver’s license.

7. Can I renew my LTO student permit?

Yes, you can renew your LTO student permit on or before the expiry date. Here’s how:

Fill out the Application for Permits and License (APL) e-Form.
Submit a copy of your student driver’s permit.
Electronically submit your medical certificate from any LTO-accredited medical clinic. You must issue one original and one photocopy of the medical certificate.

8. Can I drive with a student permit only?

Student drivers are required by law to be accompanied by a licensed driver when driving a vehicle. It means you can’t drive alone if you have a student permit only. The LTO fine is ₱3,000 for those who violate this rule.

9. I’ve never enrolled in a formal driving school, but I know how to drive. Should I still get an LTO student permit?

Yes. But you’ll need to present your Theoretical Driving Course Certificate before you can apply for and be issued a student permit.

You must complete the 15-hour course at any LTO Driver's Education Center or LTO-accredited driving school to get your certificate. Once you start with the course, you must finish it within a two-year period.

10. Until when can I use my TDC certificate to apply for my student permit?

Your TDC certificate has no expiration date, so you can use it anytime to apply for your student permit.

11. Can I use my TDC Certificate to apply for a student permit at any LTO branch of my choice?

Yes. If you took your Theoretical Driving Course at an LTO Driver’s Education Center or accredited driving school, it will be honored at any LTO branch in the Philippines.

For example, you completed your TDC in Manila and will apply for a student permit in Cebu. Your TDC Certificate of Completion will be honored at any LTO branch in Cebu.

Final Thoughts

Getting your driver's license is an exciting milestone, so make sure you do it right to avoid delays and hassles. As such, securing your LTO student permit requirements is the first necessary step to your driver’s license application. Read up and take your driver's education seriously so you can move on to becoming a full-fledged driver.

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