A Driver’s License is a card or document issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of the Philippines that authorizes a person to drive a motorized vehicle on public roads. On the other hand, it is also considered as a government-issued primary valid ID in the country that can be used in daily transactions as a proof of card holder’s true identity.
To get a driver’s license, obviously, applicants must know how to drive a motorized vehicle. On top of that, applicants must be equipped with right knowledge about the traffic rules and road signs. It is to ensure the safety of the driver (you), passengers and fellow drivers on the streets.
Types of Driver’s License
If you want to apply or get a driver’s license, you must know what kind of license do you need. The Land Transportation Office of the Philippines issues 3 types of driver’s license namely:
- Student Driver’s License (Student Permit)
- Non-Professional Driver’s License
- Professional Driver’s License
1. Student Permit
If you want to learn and practice driving, you may acquire a Student Permit. Regardless about your poor or expert level of driving skills, if you don’t have a license yet, you’ll land on getting a Student Permit or Student Driver’s License. It is the very first requirement before you can get any of the remaining 2 licenses. You will be authorized to drive a motorized vehicle but should be accompanied by a person with a professional or non-professional driver’s license.
GUIDE How to Get Student Permit
2. Non-Professional Driver’s License
If you want to drive a motorcycle or a lightweight vehicle for personal or private use, get a Non-Professional Driver’s License. You can only upgrade to a Non-Professional Driver’s License a month or 30 days after getting your Student Permit.
GUIDE How to Get Non-Professional Driver’s License
3. Professional Driver’s License
If you need to drive public as well as private vehicles, you may choose to get a Professional Driver’s License rather than a Non-Professional Driver’s License six (6) months after acquiring your Student Permit. Through this license, you may be able to drive any type of vehicle given that the “restriction code” of that vehicle is under your license. Moreover, it also authorizes you to drive public or private vehicles such as operating a public utility jeep or working as a chauffeur.
GUIDE How to Get Professional Driver’s License
Those are the 3 types of driver’s license in the Philippines and each has a corresponding guide on how to get it. Should you have any questions, let us know in comment section.
Do you want to get your estimated travel time before driving? Check out this Drive Time Calculator.
