LTO Medical Exam Requirements 2026: Complete Guide to Fees, Clinics & Validity

The LTO medical examination is a health assessment required by Republic Act No. 10930 (Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act) and LTO regulations to ensure all drivers are physically and mentally fit to operate motor vehicles. The exam evaluates your vision, hearing, physical condition, and screens for substance abuse. It must be conducted at an LTO-accredited clinic or hospital by a licensed physician. The medical certificate issued after passing the exam is valid for 60 days and must be submitted during your license application or renewal transaction at any LTO office or satellite location.

To undergo the LTO medical examination, you need to bring specific documents and meet certain prerequisites. The requirements are straightforward but must be complete to avoid delays or rejection at the clinic.

The standard LTO medical examination fee is ₱500 at all accredited clinics nationwide, as regulated by the LTO. This fee covers the complete examination including vision test, hearing test, physical assessment, blood pressure check, and issuance of the medical certificate. Some clinics may charge additional fees for ancillary services like ID photo capture (₱50-100) or expedited processing, but the core exam fee remains ₱500. The fee is paid directly to the clinic and is separate from your LTO license application or renewal fee.

The LTO medical examination typically takes 30-45 minutes to complete, depending on clinic traffic. Here's what happens during each step of the process.

1. 1

   Registration and Document Submission

   Present your ID and accomplished application form at the clinic reception. Pay the ₱500 medical exam fee and receive a queue number. The staff will verify your documents and create your medical record.

   Fill out the application form completely at home to save time. Incomplete forms will be returned.

2. 2

   Vision Test (Snellen Chart)

   You'll read letters from a Snellen eye chart at 20 feet distance to test visual acuity. Both eyes are tested separately, then together. Minimum requirement is 20/40 vision in at least one eye. If you wear glasses or contacts, you'll be tested with and without them.

   If you fail the vision test, get an eye exam from an ophthalmologist and return with prescription glasses.

3. 3

   Hearing Test

   The physician will test your hearing using a whisper test or audiometer. You must be able to hear conversational speech at 5 feet distance. Severe hearing impairment may require a hearing aid, which will be noted on your license.

   If you have hearing aids, bring them to the exam.

4. 4

   Physical Examination

   The doctor will check your blood pressure, heart rate, and assess your general physical condition. They'll examine your limbs for mobility and coordination, check for conditions that may impair driving ability (severe arthritis, tremors, paralysis), and ask about medical history including epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes, or psychiatric conditions.

   Disclose all medical conditions honestly. Concealing health issues can lead to license revocation if discovered later.

5. 5

   Drug and Alcohol Screening

   As mandated by RA 10930, the physician will ask about drug and alcohol use. Some clinics conduct urine drug tests, especially for professional drivers. Refusal to undergo screening or a positive result will result in exam failure and license denial.

   Avoid alcohol 24 hours before the exam. Prescription medications should be declared with supporting documents.

6. 6

   Medical Certificate Issuance

   If you pass all tests, the physician will sign and issue your Medical Certificate (LTO Form MC-01). The certificate includes your photo, personal details, exam results, any restrictions (eyeglasses, hearing aid), and the physician's license number. It's valid for 60 days from issue date.

   Check all details on the certificate before leaving the clinic. Errors must be corrected immediately.

Only LTO-accredited clinics and hospitals are authorized to conduct medical examinations for driver's license purposes. Using a non-accredited facility will result in rejection of your medical certificate at the LTO office. Accredited clinics display an LTO accreditation certificate with a validity date. You can find accredited clinics near LTO offices, major hospitals, and standalone medical centers. The LTO portal maintains a directory of accredited clinics, though it's not always updated in real-time.

The LTO medical certificate is valid for 60 days (2 months) from the date of issuance. You must complete your driver's license application or renewal within this period. If the certificate expires before you finish your LTO transaction, you'll need to undergo another medical exam and pay ₱500 again. The 60-day validity cannot be extended, even if you have a pending LTO appointment. For this reason, it's recommended to take the medical exam only when you're ready to proceed with your license transaction within the next 30-45 days, allowing buffer time for scheduling and potential delays at LTO offices.

Certain medical conditions will result in automatic disqualification or restrictions on your driver's license. The LTO follows Department of Transportation (DOTr) standards for driver fitness. Conditions that cause automatic disqualification include uncontrolled epilepsy (seizures within the past 12 months), severe mental illness (schizophrenia, severe depression, bipolar disorder), active substance abuse, blindness or vision worse than 20/200 in both eyes, and complete deafness in both ears. Conditions that may result in restrictions or conditional licenses include diabetes requiring insulin (may require 6-month medical reviews), heart conditions (cleared by cardiologist), limb amputation or paralysis (may require vehicle modifications and special assessment), and corrected vision with glasses or contacts (restriction code 1 on license). If you're disqualified, you can reapply after treating the condition and obtaining medical clearance.

The medical examination requirements are the same whether you're applying for a student permit, non-professional license, or professional license. However, professional drivers (buses, trucks, taxis) may face stricter scrutiny and additional tests. For student permit applicants, the medical exam is your first step before taking the written exam (TDC) and practical driving test. The certificate must be valid throughout your entire licensing process, which can take 1-2 months. For license renewal, you take the medical exam when your license is about to expire (within 60 days of expiration) or has already expired. The process is identical, but renewal applicants typically have faster LTO processing since they're not taking written or practical tests.

The physical examination component is a brief but thorough assessment of your fitness to drive. The physician will check your blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer — readings above 160/100 require medical clearance before passing. They'll test your reflexes by tapping your knees and elbows with a reflex hammer to assess neurological function. Coordination is evaluated through simple tasks like touching your nose with eyes closed or walking heel-to-toe. The doctor will examine your limbs for range of motion, checking if you can fully extend arms and legs, grip strength, and pedal operation ability. They'll ask about your medical history including any chronic conditions, medications, surgeries, or disabilities. The exam also includes checking for signs of substance abuse such as needle marks, pupil dilation, tremors, or behavioral indicators. The entire physical exam takes 5-10 minutes.

If you're converting a foreign driver's license to a Philippine license, you must undergo the same LTO medical examination as new applicants. Your foreign license does not exempt you from this requirement. The medical certificate must be obtained from an LTO-accredited clinic in the Philippines — foreign medical certificates are not accepted, even if authenticated. The exam follows the same process: vision test, hearing test, physical assessment, and drug screening. The ₱500 fee applies. After passing the medical exam, you'll proceed with the foreign license conversion process at the LTO Foreign Licensing Section, which includes submitting your original foreign license, passport, visa, and other conversion requirements. The medical certificate must be valid (within 60 days) when you submit your conversion application.

Here are the most common questions about the LTO medical examination process, requirements, and validity.