7/9/2017 Do you know how to apply for a driver's license?

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Do you know how to apply for a driver's license?

Here's how to properly apply for a driver's license in the Philippines and avoid ' xers' that help breed corruption

Aika Rey
Published 7:15 PM, August 21, 2016
Updated 12:51 PM, January 05, 2017

MANILA, Philippines If there are " xers" offering faster transactions left and right, would you be tempted to give
in?

"Fixers" are said to be common at the Land Transportation O ce (LTO), which is often tagged as one of the most
corrupt government agencies in the Philippines.

The applicant will be spared from long lines and hours of waiting for his or her driver's license, but it won't come
cheap. (READ: The xing business at LTO)

In the 2014/2015 survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), the LTO was rated poor at -26 in its
sincerity to ght corruption. It used to be "bad" in the previous year, rated 6 notches lower at -32.

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LTO sincerity rating in ghting corruption

(SWS)
-20

-22

-24

-26

-28

-30

-32

-34

-36

-38

-40
2006 2007 2008 2009 2012 2013 2014/15

President Rodrigo Duterte recently vowed to be harsher against corrupt government o cials and employees,
especially those at the LTO. He reiterated this on Sunday, August 21, and demanded that appointed o cials leave
their posts.

As a citizen, here's how you can properly get a driver's license and avoid falling prey to " xers" that help breed
corruption.

Applying for a driver's license

A driver's license is an o cial government document authorizing an individual to drive a motor vehicle in the
Philippines.

The LTO issues 3 types of driver's licenses:

1. Student permit
2. Non-professional driver's license
3. Professional driver's license

You can apply at any licensing center or district o ce that issues new driver's licenses.

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Student Permit

A student permit is a prerequisite document when applying for a driver's license. Take note that this document
authorizes the holder to drive only when accompanied by a licensed driver.

To apply for one, the applicant must be at least 17 years old as well as physically and mentally capable of driving a
motor vehicle. The LTO also requires the applicant to know how to read and write in Filipino or English.

When applying for a student permit, here's what you need to bring:

1. Original copy and photocopy of birth certi cate

2. Accomplished application form for driver's license You can download the form here.
3. If already employed: Tax Identi cation Number (TIN)

Once you have all of the requirements, you can now submit your documents to the LTO:

1. Queue number. Go to the Customer Service Counter to get your checklist of requirements
and your queue number. If you have not accomplished the Driver's License application form,
you can ask for a copy at the counter.
2. Submit requirements. Once your number is called, go to the evaluator counter and submit all
the required documents to have it checked for completeness and authenticity.
3. Photo taking. When your name is called, follow where your photo and signature will be taken.
4. Pay fees. Go to the cashier to pay the fees and make sure to get the o cial receipt.
5. Claim permit. Proceed to the releasing counter with the OR and claim your permit.

Here's how much you should be paying:

LTO Fees and Charges

Student Permit Fee P150.00

Application Fee P100.00

Computer Fee P67.63

Total P317.63

Non-professional and professional driver's licenses

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The applicant must be at least 18 years old, physically and mentally t to operate a motor vehicle, and knows how
to read and write in Filipino or English.

Bring the following documents when applying:

1. Accomplished application form for driver's license You can download the form here.
2. Valid student permit at least one month old
3. Medical certi cate It must be with an o cial receipt from any duly licensed and practicing
physician. Take note as well that the LTO does not accept medical certi cates which are over
15 days old.
4. Negative drug test result. It must be from a DOH-accredited drug testing center or a
government hospital.
5. Passing marks for the written and practical examinations
6. If employed: Tax Identi cation Number (TIN)
7. If applying for a professional driver's license:
1. NBI or police or court clearance
2. In case of heavy vehicles: bring a valid non-professional driver's license for at least one
year prior to application or a valid professional driver's license to operate light vehicles
for at least 6 months.

Bring all the required documents to the LTO and follow the procedures:

1. Queue number. Go to the Customer Service Counter to get your checklist of requirements
and your queue number. If you have not accomplished the Driver's License application form,
you can ask for a copy at the counter.
2. Submit requirements. Once your number is called, go to the evaluator counter and submit all
the required documents to have it checked for completeness and authenticity.
3. Photo taking. When your name is called, follow where your photo and signature will be taken.
4. Pay for the application fee.
5. Take the written test. Go to the examination room for the lecture and written exam.
6. Take the practical driving test. After passing the written test, wait for your name to be called
for the practical test.
7. Pay for the rest of the fees. After passing the practical test, proceed to the cashier to pay for
other necessary fees (license fee and computer fee). Make sure to get your o cial receipt.
8. Claim permit. Proceed to the releasing counter with the OR and claim your permit.

Here's how much you should expect to pay:

LTO Fees and Charges

First Cashier Payment (Step 4)

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Application Fee P100.00

Computer Fee P67.63

Total P167.63

Second Cashier Payment (Step 7)

License Fee P350.00

Computer Fee P67.63

Total P417.63

Applicants who failed the Basic Driving Theory test and/or the practical driving test twice will not be allowed to
apply within a period of one year.

If you took the test for the third time and failed, you have to wait another two years to be able to apply again.
Rappler.com

Source: Land Transportation O ce

Do you think this is helpful? Let us know in the comments which other government processes you want to learn
more about.

Have you ever been asked for a bribe? E-mail details to notonmywatch@rappler.com. It will help if you send
supporting documents and contact information so we can reach you in case we need more details.

You may also report via the form below:

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PHILIPPINES

DOTC suspends new rule on professional driver's license

A new policy requiring both police and NBI clearance to get a professional driver's license has been suspended
following concerns raised by senators

Rappler.com
Published 7:56 AM, November 25, 2015
Updated 7:56 AM, November 25, 2015

SUSPENDED. The DOTC suspends a new LTO rule 'for further study' following concerns raised by senators.

MANILA, Philippines Following concerns raised by senators, the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) has suspended a new policy requiring applicants for a professional driver's license to get
clearances from both the police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
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DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya suspended the implementation of the Land Transportation O ce (LTO)'s
Administrative Order No. AVT-2015-029 after Senators Franklin Drilon and Ralph Recto questioned the directive
during the interpellation of the agency's proposed 2016 budget on Tuesday, November 24.

The senators said the requirement adds another layer of red tape to motorists' license applications, with Recto
pointing out that drivers will have to wait in long queues to secure clearances from the two agencies.

Instead of requiring applicants to go through long lines, he proposed " le sharing" among the agencies, where
both the NBI and the Philippine National Police "electronically and manually provide the LTO with their databases
on persons with criminal records."

"Why not provide the LTO with a negative list and use this as a basis for approving or disapproving applications for
a professional driver's license? Instead of lining up at the NBI and at the police station, perhaps they can just send
the LTO a list of people with criminal cases," Recto said.

Drilon also said that the policy merits further study as there are criminal charges that do not have bearing on one's
quali cation to drive, but could be basis for the denial of application.

Among other things, the administrative order requires clearance "that the applicant has not been convicted of any
offense involving moral turpitude or reckless imprudence resulting from reckless driving."

But the senators said that pending cases involving libel or illegal assembly, for example, should not be made a
basis for rejecting a license application because these do not have bearing on one's capacity to drive.

About 1.5 million Filipinos hold a professional driver's license, according to transport o cials. Rappler.com

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