I finally started my “driving journey” last month when I started the process of obtaining a Student Driver’s License from the Land Transportation Office.
Starting my journey was never easy since I am not that motivated to buy my own vehicle. That is until I gave in to Mrs. Ahab’s persistent pestering, and also after seeing her and the kids being exhausted after a long commute to my parents’ home.
I was able to obtain the Student Driver’s License (a.k.a. student permit) around one month after I applied for classes in a driving school.
So how was I able to do it? Here is my step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Apply for a Driving Class (Theoretical)
The very first step is searching for a good driving school in our area. The first driving school that I talked with is not OK as their fees are quite expensive. Even their practical driving course is priced over 15 thousand pesos for a 7-seater automatic vehicle.
Good thing that I found a better driving school that offers a theoretical driving course (TDC) for 1 thousand pesos. Their practical driving course is more affordable at around 6 thousand pesos for a 7-seater automatic vehicle.
What’s better is that this driving school offers online classes, which is perfect for busy people like me.
So for this step, I suggest that you check out more than one driving school to see which has a better offer or package.
Step 2: Finish the Online Theoretical Driving Class
The LTO requires all driver’s license applicants to attend a 15-hour theoretical driving class. The driving lessons can be face-to-face or online through SafeRoads.PH.
I opted for the online driving class since I cannot afford being absent from work. Also, the online class is flexible enough that I can finish each module at my own pace as long as I finish the whole class within 30 days after I applied for a theoretical driving course in the Driving School.
The topics covered in the online class include traffic laws and regulations, safe driving principles, road signs, and more. The class is just composed of videos for every topic. There was no live or recorded lecture. I had to answer a quiz at the end of each module to prove that I understood the lesson. Also, SafeRoads.PH asks for webcam photos from time-to-time to ensure that I am actually present during the online class.
I took and passed the final exam at the end of the SafeRoads.PH online class before I was given the Certificate of Completion by SafeRoads.PH.
Step 3: Pass the Theoretical Driving Exam
Next, I went to the Driving School to take the Theoretical Driving Exam.
The exam is relatively easy because most of the questions have answers that are just common sense or practical. The exam is also multiple choices, so I just guessed if I really did not know the answer.
The total number of items is 120 and the passing grade is 80% or 96 correct answers. I think “aced” the test by getting 102 correct answers ;-)
The Driving School awarded me the certificate of completion of the theoretical part of the driving course, which finally made me eligible to apply for the Student Driver’s License.
Step 4: Register in LTO’s LTMS Portal
The Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) Portal is the online system developed by LTO to make its service modern and digital.
All Driver’s License applicants are required to register to the LTMS Portal. Make sure that you have a working email address before registering.
The importance of having an LTMS account is the client ID, which is a requirement for application for Student Driver’s License.
The Driving School assisted me in registering to the LTMS Portal.
Step 5: Apply for Student Driver’s License at LTO
This is the final step!
To get your Student Driver’s License you must have the following:
- Duly accomplished Application for Permits and Licensing (APL) Form, which can be downloaded from the LTO website.
- Electronically transmitted medical certificate issued by LTO-accredited medical clinic
- LTO client ID, which can be seen in your LTMS account
- Original and photocopy of any government issued ID - in my case my passport is sufficient for this requirement.
- Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) for employed applicants - this info will be written in the APL form.
- Original and photocopy of any of the following:
My application for a Student Driver’s License was very easy and fast. I went to a satellite LTO office in a shopping mall in our area. The LTO-accredited medical clinic is just beside the LTO-satellite office, so it was very convenient.
So, the very thing that I do is go to the LTO-accredited medical clinic for a medical exam which just consists of an interview and then an eye check-up to see if I have good eyesight and is not color blind. The clinic then electronically transmitted my medical certificate to LTO.
The next step is I went to the LTO satellite office to submit all the requirements, read the Filipino Driver’s Oath loudly, and take my photo and biometrics. I then paid 250 pesos for the Student Driver’s License.
Finally, I got my Student Driver’s License printed on paper just within one hour from the time I took my medical exam. It is so surprisingly fast because I expected government services to be slow.
So that’s the story on how I got my Student Driver’s License! I will now move to the next phase of my Driving Journey, which is the practical driving lessons.
Well, see you in the next post where I will talk about how my practical driving lessons go.
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If you want more details on the process and requirements on getting a Driver’s License, I suggest that you visit the LTO website.
