Driving license in the Philippines


Driver's license in the Philippines consists of three types. These are Student Permit, Non-Professional, and Professional. The minimum age for driving in the Philippines is 17 years old provided that the driver has applied for a Student Permit and is accompanied by a person with a Professional or Non-Professional driver's license. An applicant can only apply for a Non-Professional driver's license one month after acquiring a Student Permit. An applicant needs to have a Non-Professional driver's license for 1 week in order to be eligible for a Professional driver's license. An applicant must pass both the Land Transportation Office written exam and a driving exam. If the applicant fails the tests, the applicant must wait for a month before being able to take the tests again.

Restriction Codes

Drivers are assigned a restriction code that designates which type of vehicle they can operate. Restriction codes are based on the kind of vehicle and their Gross Vehicle Weight.
Restriction CodeAllowed Vehicles
Restriction 1*Motorbikes or motorized tricycles
Restriction 2*Motor vehicle up to 4500 kg GVW
Restriction 3Motor vehicle above 4500 kg GVW
Restriction 4*Automatic transmission up to 4500 kg GVW
Restriction 5Automatic transmission above 4500 kg GVW
Restriction 6Articulated Vehicle 1600 kg GVW & below
Restriction 7Articulated Vehicle 1601 kg up to 4500 kg GVW
Restriction 8Articulated Vehicle 4501 kg & above GVW

*Note: Restrictions 1, 2, and 4 only apply to Non-Professional driver's licenses.

Condition Code

Applicants are assessed during application if they have certain impairments that could impede their driving capability. They are then assigned a condition code if they fall within a category.
Condition CodeRequirement
Condition AWear eyeglasses
Condition BDrive with special equipment for upper limbs*
Condition CDrive with special equipment for lower limbs*
Condition DDaylight driving only*
Condition EShould always be accompanied by a person without hearing impairment

*Note: Special driving conditions and special equipment to be used shall be the assessed by an LTO driver evaluator.

Use in other countries

Spain

As of April 16, 2010, an agreement was signed between the Filipino and Spanish governments allowing Filipinos to use their Philippine driver's license in Spain.

Australia

Overseas licenses are allowed to be used in Australia for a period of 3 months, with some allowing 6 months for visitors with a Permanent VISA. Permanent Australian residents are obliged to apply for an Australian driver's license, with some states requiring it.

Foreign driving license

Foreigners who hold a valid driver's license issued by the road authority of their home country can drive in the Philippines for up to 90 days upon arrival provided that their license is written in English. If the license is not in English, an official English translation from the local embassy of the issuing country is required.