To drive a private vehicle in the Philippines you need a non-professional driver's licence from the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The last steps are a written (theoretical) exam and a practical driving test.
The steps
- Theoretical Driving Course (TDC): 15 hours at an LTO Driver's Education Center or an LTO-accredited driving school.
- Student permit: from age 16 (minors need a parent's or guardian's consent). It is valid for 1 year, and you may drive only with a licensed driver beside you.
- Practical Driving Course (PDC) for the type of vehicle you want to drive.
- Non-professional licence: from age 17, pass the written exam and the practical driving test at the LTO.
The written exam
The exam is most often reported as 40 multiple-choice items, with 30 correct needed to pass (75%), on road signs, traffic rules and safe driving. The LTO has not published the format in a form we could confirm, so check on the day.
Rules that come up often
- Keep right and overtake on the left. Do not overtake near curves or crests where you cannot see 500 feet ahead, at intersections, railroad crossings or work zones.
- Right of way: at an intersection the vehicle on the left gives way to the vehicle on the right; vehicles already in the intersection and on a through highway go first.
- Speed (RA 4136): 80 km/h on open country roads, 40 on through streets, 30 on city streets, 20 in crowded streets and school zones (cars and motorcycles).
- Parking: not within 6 m of an intersection, 4 m of a fire hydrant or fire station driveway, on a crosswalk or in front of a driveway.
- Safety laws: seat belts (RA 8750), motorcycle helmets (RA 10054), no phones even at red lights (RA 10913), children 12 and below in child restraints in the back unless 150 cm tall (RA 11229), and below 0.05% blood alcohol for private vehicles (RA 10586).
How to prepare
- Learn the signs by shape and colour: red rings prohibit, blue circles order, red-bordered triangles warn, and yellow-green signs mark pedestrians, school children and cyclists.
- Memorise the numbers: speed limits by road type, 6 m and 4 m parking distances, 150 cm for children, 0.05% alcohol.
- Take full mock tests until you score well above 30 out of 40 every time.
Start with the free LTO exam reviewer and practice tests.
Checked against official sources on 17 October 2026.