Professional Driver's License Philippines 2026: Requirements, Fees and Non-Pro to Pro Upgrade

You can upgrade a non-professional license to professional at any LTO office once you meet the minimum holding period for your restriction code. The upgrade replaces your non-professional card (RA 10930 sets the 5-year validity). Course certificates and their fees are under Documentary Requirements below.

Start paid driving only once the professional card or its temporary permit is in your hand.

LTO does not publish one flat fee for a classification change. The amount depends on whether your non-professional license is still valid or expired, and whether you add a restriction code. Next: book the upgrade on the LTMS portal, which shows your assessment before you pay.

A new professional driver's license costs ₱585 for a 5-year validity: ₱467.69 license fee plus ₱117.31 computer fee. Add-on restriction codes cost ₱135 each, and replacement before expiry costs ₱360.

Renewal costs ₱585 again and runs through the CDE course and online exam on the LTMS portal (renewal steps). There is no grace period. Renewing late adds the delinquency fee that RA 4136 Section 26 attaches to a delinquent license. Your LTMS assessment shows the amount before you pay.

You need a professional driver's license if you drive any vehicle for hire or compensation. This includes taxi drivers, jeepney operators, bus drivers, truck drivers hauling commercial goods, delivery riders for logistics companies, TNVS drivers (such as Grab), and school service drivers. The LTO defines professional driving as operating a motor vehicle for the primary purpose of gain or profit. Even if you own the vehicle, you need a professional license if you're paid to transport passengers or goods. Private company drivers transporting employees on company vehicles also fall under this category. Motorcycle couriers and food delivery riders operating 400cc+ motorcycles on expressways must hold a professional motorcycle license with the appropriate restriction code.

Employers carry their own duty: RA 4136 Section 24 bars any vehicle owner from hiring a driver who is not a licensed professional. Not sure which code your vehicle needs? Check the LTO restriction codes guide.

Beyond the holding period, you must be physically and mentally fit to drive and able to read and write. RA 10930 Section 2 requires that you can read one of the official languages or a major dialect and interpret traffic signs.

These add to the checklist in the first section. Bring originals for inspection and a photocopy of each; LTO checks your holding period in its own system.

Every document must show your full legal name exactly as on your birth certificate or valid ID.

Order matters: courses first, then the drug test and medical exam, so neither certificate lapses while you finish a course.

Professional drivers face stricter medical requirements than non-professional license holders. You must pass a full physical exam at an LTO-accredited clinic, which includes vision testing (minimum 20/40 in each eye with or without corrective lenses), hearing test, blood pressure check (must be below 140/90), blood type determination, and screening for conditions that impair driving ability such as epilepsy, severe heart disease, or uncontrolled diabetes. Color blindness is not an automatic disqualifier, but you'll receive a restriction code limiting you to daytime driving only. The medical certificate is valid for three months from issuance, per LTO Memorandum Circular RIB-2007-884 (17 May 2007). Schedule your LTO appointment within that window. Clinics charge ₱200-500 for the exam. If you fail the medical exam, you cannot proceed with the application until the disqualifying condition is treated and cleared by a physician.

Bring your non-professional license and valid ID to the clinic. Next: our LTO medical exam guide covers accredited clinics, fees and disqualifications.

All professional license applicants must complete a 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and an 8-hour Practical Driving Course (PDC) at LTO-accredited driving schools. The TDC covers traffic rules, road signs, defensive driving, vehicle maintenance basics, and professional driver responsibilities. The PDC focuses on advanced driving techniques, cargo/passenger safety, commercial vehicle handling, and emergency procedures. Both courses include written and practical assessments. You must pass both to receive certificates. The TDC certificate is used up by the application it supports. The PDC certificate for professional drivers is valid for 5 years. Keep your PDC certificate. You'll need it for renewals within the 5-year period.

1. Enroll in LTO-accredited driving school
   Find accredited schools in our driving schools directory or near your LTO office. Bring valid ID and your non-professional license. Pay the course fees (₱1,500-3,000 for TDC, ₱2,000-4,000 for PDC).

   Choose schools near your area to save on commute time. Most offer weekend or evening classes.

2. Complete 15-hour TDC
   Attend all sessions covering traffic laws, road safety, defensive driving, and professional driver ethics. Pass the written exam at the end of the course.

   TDC can be completed in 2-3 days if you take full-day sessions.

3. Complete 8-hour PDC for professional drivers
   Participate in hands-on training covering commercial vehicle operation, passenger/cargo safety, advanced maneuvering, and emergency response. Pass the practical driving test.

   PDC usually requires 1-2 days. Bring comfortable driving shoes and be ready for actual road driving.

4. Receive TDC and PDC certificates
   Schools issue certificates upon passing both courses. Verify that your name is spelled correctly before leaving. These are required for your LTO application.

   Make photocopies of both certificates immediately. You'll submit copies to LTO and keep originals.

One LTO visit covers the fee, the written exam and biometrics. The written exam has 40 questions; you need 30 correct (75%). If you fail, you can retake it after 7 days for ₱150. Review with our LTO exam reviewer first.

1. Go to LTO licensing center
   Bring all original documents and photocopies. Arrive by 7:00-8:00 AM to avoid long queues. Check the LTO portal for office hours and holiday schedules.
   Check LTO Office Locations
2. Submit requirements and pay fees
   Hand over your documents at the receiving window. Pay ₱585 at the cashier (₱467.69 license fee + ₱117.31 computer fee). Keep your official receipt.

   Bring exact change or small bills. Some LTO offices don't have change for large denominations.

3. Take the written exam
   Answer 40 multiple-choice questions on a computer or paper. Passing score is 30/40 (75%). Exam covers traffic laws, road signs, professional driver regulations, and safety protocols.

   Review the LTO Reviewer available online or at driving schools. Focus on commercial vehicle rules and passenger safety.

4. Biometrics capture
   After passing the exam, proceed to the biometrics station for photo, signature, and thumbprint capture. Ensure you're presentable. This photo appears on your license.

   Wear a collared shirt and avoid sunglasses or hats. The photo is permanent for 5 years.

5. Receive temporary permit
   LTO issues a Temporary Operator's Permit (TOP) valid for 60 days. Use this while waiting for your professional license card. The card arrives in 2-4 weeks.

   Keep the TOP in your wallet. It's a valid license during the waiting period.

Your restriction codes set which vehicles you may drive, and one license can hold several. To add a restriction, you must take the corresponding PDC module and pass the practical driving test for that vehicle category. Each additional restriction costs ₱135. TNVS drivers need Restriction 2 (DL B for a sedan or SUV, B1 for a passenger van) because those vehicles weigh under 4,500 kg GVW. Restriction 3 (DL C or D) is only for vehicles over 4,500 kg. Driving a vehicle outside your restriction code is ₱3,000 under JAO 2014-01 item I.a, plus a one-year bar from driving. The full DL code list is in our restriction codes guide.

LTO denies professional license applications for several reasons. The most common is having traffic violations on record during your holding period. Even minor violations like illegal parking or expired registration reset the eligibility clock. Failing the medical exam due to vision impairment, uncontrolled hypertension, or disqualifying medical conditions also results in denial. Incomplete or expired documents, especially medical certificates older than three months or drug test results older than 30 days, will be rejected. Submitting a non-professional license held for less than the minimum period for your code is an automatic denial. Failing the written exam three consecutive times requires you to retake the TDC before reapplying. If your documents show name discrepancies (e.g., license says 'Juan dela Cruz' but birth certificate says 'Juan de la Cruz'), LTO will require a name correction affidavit before processing your application.

Before applying, request a Driver's License Transaction History from LTO to verify you have zero violations in the past year. This costs ₱150 and can be done at any LTO office or online via the LTO portal.

Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers for Grab and similar platforms must hold a professional driver's license with the appropriate restriction code. Sedans, SUVs and passenger vans under 4,500 kg GVW fall under Restriction 2 (DL B or B1). Beyond the standard professional license requirements, TNVS drivers must also secure a TNVS Driver's Accreditation from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). This requires passing an LTFRB-conducted seminar on passenger safety, customer service, and platform regulations, which costs ₱3,000-5,000. The LTFRB accreditation is valid for 3 years and must be renewed separately from your LTO professional license. LTFRB sets those rules, so confirm its current requirements before you apply; this guide covers only the LTO license.

Professional drivers using expressways for commercial purposes (delivery trucks on NLEX, TNVS cars on SLEX, buses on TPLEX) must carry their professional license, vehicle registration (OR/CR) and an RFID sticker (Autosweep or Easytrip). Toll rates follow vehicle class, not license type. A professional driver in a Class 1 car pays the Class 1 toll. Price a Class 2 or Class 3 trip in the toll calculator before you dispatch.