Applying for or renewing a driver’s license can be time-consuming, we know—especially when the Land Transportation Office (LTO) branch you’re at is filled to the brim with fellow applicants. But you have to admit: the process is pretty straightforward.
What might be tricky, though, are the costs it may incur. The total bill varies depending on what type of license you’re applying for or renewing, or how long your license has been expired upon renewal. You’ll also need to pay extra if there are any necessary changes to your current license.
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In any case, read on here to learn more about all the fees, fines, and other additional costs that the entire driver’s license application process may incur.
Student Permit Application
This is the most basic type of permit you can apply for and is the preliminary requirement for a proper driver’s or conductor’s license. In case this permit expires, the same application process will be necessary. It costs a total of P317.63—you may view the complete breakdown below.
| Application Fee | P100.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 |
| Student Permit Fee | P150.00 |
| TOTAL | P317.63 |
New License Application (Non-Professional, Professional, Conductor)
If you’re a student driver, you’ll be qualified to upgrade your permit after a certain period of time. Once you do, you may select a type of license depending on what privileges you’ll need. Regardless of what classification you’re applying for, however, the costs are basically the same for each at P820.26. The full details are as follows:
| Application Fee | P100.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 |
| License Fee | P585.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 |
| TOTAL | P820.26 |
License renewal
When you’ve finally acquired a proper license, you’ll need to renew it every five years. Again, the P652.63 cost for renewal is the same for all three license types.
| License Fee | P585.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 |
| TOTAL | P652.63 |
Revision of records
You may also request to revise your records with the LTO, provided that you pay the necessary fees. If you opt to do so prior to license renewal, you will be charged the following:
| Replacement Fee | P225.00 |
| Revision Fee | P100.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 |
| TOTAL | P392.63 |
If you choose to do this upon renewal, you may simply pay an extra P100 on top of the total renewal cost, which will cost you less overall.
Application for additional restriction code
Holders of either Professional or Non-Professional Licenses may also opt to expand their privileges depending on what vehicles they may need to operate. In case you aren’t familiar with your license’s restriction codes, you can read more about them here.
If you choose to apply for this prior to license renewal, the process will again cost you extra. See the table below for more details.
| Application Fee | P100.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 |
| Replacement Fee | P225.00 |
| Additional Restriction Fee | P100.00 per code |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 |
| TOTAL | P560.26 |
Similar to the revision of records, if you choose to render your application for new restriction codes upon renewal, you will simply need to pay the additional P100 per code on top of the total costs incurred.
Penalties
Granted, of course, that necessary fines will be imposed on those who fail to renew their licenses on time. These charges will go on top of the total license renewal costs, including all the additional revision fees necessary. Do note that the longer you delay the renewal, the heftier sum you’ll have to pay. You can check out the list of penalties below.
- One day to one year expired upon renewal: P75
- More than one year but less than two years expired upon renewal: P150
- More than two years expired upon renewal (dormant license): P225, plus re-examination
Application for license classification change
At times, drivers may require changes in license classifications, either from Non-Professional to Professional or vice versa. That being said, the fees vary, as well as the penalties—in some cases, the license holder may even need to take the necessary exams. You can read on below for more details.
| Non-Professional to Professional or vice versa (Valid) |
Non-Professional to Professional
or vice versa (Expired or Delinquent) |
|
| Application Fee | P100.00 | P100.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 | P67.63 |
| Replacement Fee | P225.00 | -- |
| Renewal Fee | -- | P585.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 | P67.63 |
| Change Classification | P100.00 | P100.00 |
| TOTAL | P560.26 | P920.26 + corresponding penalty |
For the required exams, you may refer to the list below:
- Professional to Non-Professional (Expired) – Practical driving exam only
- Professional to Non-Professional (Delinquent) – Both written and practical exam
- Non-Professional to Professional (Expired) – Both written and practical exam
- Non-Professional to Professional (Delinquent) – Both written and practical exam
Duplicate License Application
In case you lose your valid driver’s license, you may apply for a duplicate copy which will cost you P472.63. However, you also have to bring a notarized affidavit and a separate valid ID—original and photocopy—upon application. On the other hand, if you’re a student driver and you lose your permit prior to its expiry, you may also apply for a duplicate for P217.63, which is a bit cheaper than acquiring an entirely new one. The breakdown of the said fees are listed here:
| Student Permit | Non-Professional, Professional, Conductor | |
| Replacement Fee | -- | P225.00 |
| Certification Fee | P100.00 | P100.00 |
| Clearance Fee | -- | P30.00 |
| Duplicate Fee | P50.00 | P50.00 |
| Computer Fee | P67.63 | P67.63 |
| TOTAL | P217.63 | P472.63 |
For more information on the driver’s license application process, you may visit the LTO website through this link.
NOTE: The fees listed above are updated based on the LTO website as of October 17, 2019. For an updated list for 2022, you can click on this link.
