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 The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

is 16 years old, provided that the driver has applied for a student permit and is accompanied by a duly licensed person, whether professional or non-professional. 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 six months to be eligible for a professional driver's license. An applicant must pass both the

Land Transportation Office The Land Transportation Office ( fil, Tanggapan ng Transportasyong-Lupa; LTO) is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Transportation responsible for all land transportation in the Philippines. Functions of the LTO inc ...

written exam and a

driving exam A driving test (also known as a driving exam, driver's test, or road test) is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to driving, drive a motor vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is often a requirement to obtain a dri ...

. 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 Vehicle weight is a measurement of wheeled motor vehicles; either an actual measured weight of the vehicle under defined conditions or a gross weight rating for its weight carrying capacity. Curb or kerb weight Curb weight (U.S. English) or kerb ...

. A new restriction code system which is similar to the European and United Kingdom version is now in use since January of 2021. A driver approved of driving a

manual transmission A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...

(MT) vehicle is allowed to also drive automatic, whereas those approved for automatic transmission (AT) can not drive manual. *''Note: Restrictions 1, 2, and 4 only apply to non-professional driver's licenses.'' New restriction codes since January 2021

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(s) if they fall within a category. ''*Note: Special driving conditions and special equipment to be used shall be the assessed by a Land Transportation Office driver evaluator.''

Use in other countries

ASEAN member states

The Kuala Lumpur Agreement of 1985 authorizes holders of driving licenses issued by the government of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member state to drive in any ASEAN country without the need for an

international driving permit An International Driving Permit (IDP), often referred to as an international driving license, is a translation of a domestic driving licence that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognises t ...

Australia

Overseas licenses are allowed to be used in Australia for a period of three months, with some allowing six 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.

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.

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. Holders of driving licenses issued by any ASEAN member-state government are allowed to drive in the Philippines.

References

External links

Official Philippine Land Transportation Office website
{{Philippine Identity Documents

Road transportation in the Philippines Identity documents of the Philippines