In order to drive a vehicle in the Philippines, you must first obtain a driver’s license. It applies to both trucks and cars and serves as proof that you have received the necessary training and know how to drive a vehicle. So, you will wonder what age can you get a driver license in the Philippines! Let’s find out more together below.
Driver Licenses
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A driver’s license is a government-issued document that allows a person to operate a motor vehicle. The Land Transportation Office is the sole licensing authority in the Philippines (LTO). It applies to both trucks and cars and serves as proof that you have received the necessary training and know how to drive a vehicle. It also serves as a government-issued ID when you are asked to provide proof of your identity.
What age can you get a driver license in Philippines?
The legal age to get a driver’s license in the Philippines will depend on different types of driver’s licenses. There are 3 main driver’s licenses in the Philippines:
- Student Driver Permit
- Non-professional license
- Professional license
Please check the below information on 3 types of driver’s licenses to see what age to get drivers license in Philippines.
3 types of driver’s licenses in the Philippines
There are three different license types in the Philippines, and each one limits a person’s ability to drive in particular situations. The prerequisites and goal of the license are what set them apart most. Let’s find out here!
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Student Driver Permits
This kind of license entitles the holder to operate a vehicle so long as another licensed driver, either professionally or non-professionally, is present. This enables the user to gain driving experience under the guidance of a teacher or licensed individual.
Requirements:
- To obtain a student permit, you must be 17 years old or older.
- To drive a motor vehicle, you must be physically and mentally fit.
- You must also be fluent in both English and Filipino.
- Must have successfully completed the LTO-accredited driving school’s mandatory 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) seminar, which also serves as a Practical Driving Course (PDC)
Documents:
- A completed application for a student permit.
- Either a PDC or TDC certificate.
- A certificate of birth.
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
Non-professional license
This type of license entitles the holder to drive a vehicle for personal or private use only.
Requirements:
- To apply, you must be at least 18 years old.
- Physical and mental fitness
- Both English and Filipino are fluent.
- Prior to applying for a license, you must have held a valid student permit for at least 30 days.
- Passed the written theory test for Basic Driving.
- Passed the practical driving test.
Documents:
- Form for obtaining a driver’s license.
- A medical certificate from an accredited LTO clinic is required.
- Valid student identification.
- Completion certificate for the 15-hour seminar.
Professional license
This type of license entitles the holder to drive vehicles for a living or for a fee. This is especially true for those who have to drive large commercial vehicles for a living.
Requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Physical and mental fitness.
- Both English and Filipino are fluent.
- Must not be charged with two or more counts of reckless driving while the current non-professional license is valid.
- For restriction codes 1, 2, 4, and 6, you must have held a valid student permit for at least 6 months prior to applying for a professional license.
- For restriction codes 3, 5, 7, and 8, you must have held a valid non-professional driver’s license for at least a year before applying.
If the applicant wishes to apply for Restriction Codes 3,5,7, and 8, he or she must already have a professional driver’s license with Restriction Codes 1,2,4, and 6 that has been valid for at least 6 months prior to the application.
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Documents:
- The form for obtaining a driver’s license has been completed.
- A medical certificate from an accredited LTO clinic is required.
- Prior to applying, you must have a valid student permit for at least 6 months (Restriction codes 1, 2, 4, and 6).
- Prior to applying, you must have held a valid non-professional driver’s license for at least one year (Restriction codes 3, 5, 7, and 8).
- Clearance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that the applicant has never been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or reckless imprudence as a result of reckless driving.
To sum up, the answer to the question “what age can you get a driver license in the Philippines” depends on the different types of driver’s licenses, but mostly you should be at least 18 years old. We hope you found the article useful! If you need anything, please contact us.
Thank you for reading! Also, you might read our writing of any other article like this on Tips and Advice. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Philmotorlaw.com.
