How to Get an LTO Student Permit: Requirements, TDC and Fees

LTO update

LTO has lifted its July 2026 validity extension. Licenses and permits that expired from July to October 2026 must be renewed within LTO’s penalty-free window for their expiry month.

Windows by expiry month: July or August 2026: November 3 to December 29, 2026. September 2026: December 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027. October 2026: January 4 to February 26, 2027. Source: Inquirer report on LTO Memorandum Circular MVL-2026-5523.

Minimum age: 16parent’s consent if below 18
LTO fees: ₱250₱100 application + ₱150 permit
Course first: 15-hour TDCfree at LTO, up to ₱1,000 at schools
Validity: 1 yearlicense possible after 1 month

The student-driver’s permit lets you learn to drive on public roads with a licensed driver beside you. It is the first step to any LTO driver’s license: student permit, then non-professional license, then, if you will drive for a living, professional license.

Who can apply

At least 16 years old.
Physically and mentally fit to drive, as certified by an LTO-accredited clinic.
No unsettled traffic violations.
Has completed the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC).

Foreign nationals need additional immigration documents. Ask your LTO licensing office before applying.

Requirements

TDC Certificate of Completion from an LTO Driver Education Center or an LTO-accredited driving school. The school sends it to LTO’s system electronically.
Medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic, also uploaded electronically.
Proof of identity and age: a valid government ID, or your PSA birth certificate.
Parent’s or guardian’s notarized consent, with a copy of their photo ID, if you are below 18.
TIN, if you are employed.

How to get the student permit

Take the 15-hour TDC
Enroll at an LTO Driver Education Center (free when sessions are open) or an LTO-accredited driving school. LTO lets schools run the course over two days within a month. Make sure the school is LTO-accredited; only accredited schools can send your certificate to LTO.
Get your medical exam
Go to an LTO-accredited clinic. LTO capped the basic exam at ₱300 in 2023.
Create your LTMS account
Register on LTO’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal at portal.lto.gov.ph, fill in your profile, and apply for a student permit. Your TDC and medical results should appear once the school and clinic upload them.
Book and visit the LTO licensing office
Bring your ID or birth certificate, the parent’s consent if you are a minor, and copies. Dress neatly; offices enforce a dress code.
Pay and have your photo taken
Pay at the cashier, then have your photo and signature captured. Keep the official receipt.

What it costs

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Estimated cost of an LTO student permit
Item	Amount
LTO application fee	₱100
Student permit fee	₱150
Theoretical Driving Course	Free at LTO Driver Education Centers; up to ₱1,000 at accredited schools
Medical exam	Up to ₱300 for the basic exam
Typical total	₱550 to ₱1,550, depending on where you take the TDC

LTMS may add a small computer or service fee. The exact amount appears in your LTMS assessment or at the cashier.

What the permit allows, and what comes next

Practice only with a licensed driver beside you.
Carry the permit whenever you drive.
Upgrade within the year: from one month after issue, at 17 or older, take the 8-hour Practical Driving Course and apply for a non-professional license.
Use it as ID if needed: DFA accepts a student permit in card format for a passport. See other valid IDs.

Example: From zero to license by your 17th birthday

Let’s say you turn 16 in January and 17 in December. Take the TDC and get your permit in January. Practice through the year with a licensed parent, take the Practical Driving Course in November, and apply for the non-professional license after your December birthday, before the permit expires in January. If you wait until after the permit expires, you start over with a new permit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive alone with a student permit?

No. A student permit is valid only while a licensed driver accompanies you. Driving alone breaks the permit’s condition and can be penalized.

Is the student permit a valid ID?

It can be. DFA accepts an LTO student permit for passport applications if it is in card format. Other offices set their own rules.

Is the Theoretical Driving Course free?

It is free at LTO Driver Education Centers when they offer sessions. At private LTO-accredited driving schools, LTO capped the 15-hour TDC at ₱1,000 in 2023.

How soon after the permit can I get a license?

You can apply for a non-professional license at least one month after the permit was issued, and before it expires one year after issue. You must also be 17 and have completed the Practical Driving Course.

What if my student permit expires?

You can renew it on or before the expiry date if you are not ready for your license yet. Under LTO’s 2026 Citizen’s Charter, a permit cannot be used for the Practical Driving Course after one year, and after two years you need a new permit and must restart the waiting period. If your permit expired from July to October 2026, LTO has set penalty-free renewal windows by expiry month after lifting its July 2026 extension.

Sources and further reading

These are LTO’s 2026 Citizen’s Charter and major news reports of LTO rules. LTO’s website could not be reached during this review; confirm the current list on the LTMS portal or at your LTO office.

Independent guide: PhilippineIDs.com is not affiliated with the LTO or any Philippine government agency. Information reviewed on November 5, 2026.