Professional Driver’s License 2024

In the Philippines,  the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is an official department which issued all type of valid driver’s license required to operate a motor vehicle on public roads. Depending on the nature and purpose of the vehicle you are driving in the Philippines, you need to have the appropriate license classification.

 For instance, if you are Filipino and want to drive in public roads, you need to obtain a valid LTO Professional Driver’s License along with a NPDL.

This article will guide you through the steps of securing an LTO Professional Driver’s License. You will also learn about the required documents and the applicable fees for this LTO professional driver license transaction.

What is a Professional Driver’s License?

A professional driver’s license (PDL) is a legal valid ID and document that grants the holder the right to operate a public vehicle. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issues this license to eligible individuals who wish to earn a living by driving vehicles in the Philippines. Therefore, if you plan to work as a company driver or drive a car, van, jeepney, motorcycle, you must possessed a professional driver’s license.

The procedures and fees for getting professional driver’s license is same as others but there are some difference in some aspect to requirements and limitations.

Who can Apply for a Professional Driver’s License?

At the top of hierarchy of LTO Licenses is the Professional Driver’s License (PDL) in the Philippines. Here are the qualifications a nd requirements you must meet before you can get a PDL from LTO:

• If you are a Filipino citizen, you must be at least 17 years old to qualify for securing PDL
• For foreigners, you must be at least 18 years of old.
• One must be a holder of NPDL for at least six (6) months.
• You must be physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle.
• You must have no unsettled traffic violations in the Philippines
• You must know how to read and write in English, Filipino, or the regional language where you are located in the Philippines.

Requirements for LTO PDL Application

Here are the documents you need to prepare before going to LTO office :

• A fully-accomplished Application form for Permits and Licenses (APL) . You can download it online or in the LTO office.
• Must have a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic. The clinic must electronically transmit the result to the LTO database and also secure a physical copy of the result for submission to LTO.
• Must get TIN Number from the BIR-Revenue District Office.
• Must present original and single copy of  PSA birth certificate
• Must holds LTO Client IDs
• Must possess original and submit single copy of CPD

Application for PDL Walk -in Procedure

• Visit the nearest preffered  LTO branch in your’s location
• Request for application for permit and license form (APL)
• After securing queue number , wait for your turn
• Accomplish PDL form along with mandatory required documents
• Once your documents complete, make sure fee at cashier
• Must take the written and practical exam at LTO
• Wait for the result 

              I f Failed: Transactions will b ended

              If Passed: 

               1. Proceed to cashier for Fees schedule

              2. Proceed to Biometric Window for further encoding

               3.Accomplish the form at LTM Portal

               4. Proceed towards photo and signature window

               5. Wait for the OR and DL cards  which issued by LTO

               6. Must sign the release form and also log sheet 

Online Application Procedure , Via LTMS Portal

• Make sure you have stable internet connection and navigate to  the LTMS Portal by visiting the  Official LTMS Portal Website.

• If you already have an account than Log in into registered LTMS  account by keying in your credentials

Otherwise, you may registered for a new account on LTMS by giving all required information.

Registered as an  individual , also read all terms of agreement and create account by setting passwords

• Click ” Licensing ” on your’s dashboard
• Must read carefully all terms and agreements
• Choose  the license type which you want to apply like professional driver’s license
• Make sure the upload of Medical Certificates and also verify medical number
• Head to cashier counter and make payment
• Accomplish all requirements and wait for issuance of PDL.

How Much Is the Cost of Getting a Professional Driver’s License?

Here is the breakdown of the cost of getting a professional driver’s license from LTO office in the Philippines:

Validity of Professional License

In the Philippines, Professional Driver’s License has a validity upto 5-years. Those who renewed their license with clean driving record can avail new license for 10 years .

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to get a Practical Driving Certificate if I want to apply for a PDL?

 In the Philippines You do not need to take the practical driving course again, as you once have already completed it when you applied for your non-professional driver’s license.

2. Can I drive trucks, buses, and other heavy vehicles with my professional driver’s license?

Its depend on the nature of driving license, You are now eligible to drive these heavy vehicles, as long as you have the necessary DL codes on your license. 

3. Can I drive private vehicles with a professional driver’s license?

Yes. You can drive private vehicles using your PDL in the Philippines public roads.

Summary

In the Philippines a professional driver’s license is a prerequisite for any job that requires driving on public roads. However,  LTO has changed the application process, and it now takes longer and costs more to get one. Therefore, if you aspire to make driving  as a career in the future, you should get your PDL as early as possible.