An LTO driver’s license renewal now starts online in the Land Transportation Office’s LTMS portal. There, you take the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) validation exam, and the system records your medical certificate from an accredited clinic. RA 10930 still requires LTO to take your photo and biometrics in person. So one visit to an LTO office or renewal center remains. If you drove for five years without a traffic violation, the same law entitles you to a license valid for ten years.
LTO driver’s license renewal validity: five years or ten
RA 10930 says that, except for student permits, driver’s licenses are valid for five years counted from the holder’s birthdate. A professional or non-professional license holder who committed no violation of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (RA 4136) and other traffic laws during the five-year period has a right to a renewal for ten years. This is subject to restrictions LTO may impose. Any recorded violation means the next card is valid for five years.
LTO may also require a periodic medical examination during a long validity period. Check your LTMS account, since it shows any pending requirement that could put a hold on your license.
Before an LTO driver’s license renewal: set up LTMS
Create or sign in to your account at the LTMS portal (portal.lto.gov.ph). Link your existing license, check that your name and birthdate match your records, and look for any unsettled violations. Settle those first, since unpaid violations can block renewal. Use an email address and mobile number you will keep, because LTMS sends notices to them.
The CDE online validation exam
Inside LTMS, LTO provides the CDE learning materials and an online validation exam. According to the LTMS portal, the passing score is 80%, or at least 20 correct answers out of 25. There is no time limit. Once you pass, LTMS creates a certificate in your account. Renewing drivers usually complete this before going to an office.
The exam covers road signs, right of way, and basic traffic rules. Review the materials even if you have driven for years, since rules on things like seatbelts, child car seats, and motorcycle helmets have changed.
Medical certificate from an accredited clinic
Every LTO driver’s license renewal needs a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic, which transmits the result electronically to LTO. Ordinary clinic certificates are not accepted for this purpose. Go to the clinic shortly before your planned visit, since the certificate has a limited validity. Confirm that the clinic is on LTO’s current accreditation list. The clinic fee is separate from LTO’s fees.
Step-by-step LTO driver’s license renewal
- Settle any traffic violations shown in LTMS.
- Complete the CDE materials and pass the online validation exam.
- Get your medical exam at an LTO-accredited clinic.
- Start the renewal in LTMS, or fill out the Application for Permits and License (APL) form at the office.
- Go to an LTO district office, licensing center, or renewal center with your current license.
- Have your photo, signature, and biometrics taken.
- Pay the fees at the cashier or through the channels LTMS offers.
- Receive your plastic card, or a temporary paper license if cards are not yet available.
LTO driver’s license fees (official schedule)
The amounts below are LTO’s own fees as listed in the LTO License Schedule of Fees and Charges (Citizen’s Charter 2024). We cross-checked the student permit, new license, plain renewal, first-year penalty, and revision-of-records amounts against the LTO Citizen’s Charter 2025, 1st Edition, which lists the same figures. Fees checked October 25, 2026.
| Transaction | LTO fee breakdown | LTO total |
|---|---|---|
| Student-driver’s permit (new) | Application ₱100 + permit ₱150 | ₱250 |
| New driver’s license (non-professional or professional) | Application ₱100 + license ₱585 | ₱685 |
| Renewal, on time or in advance | License ₱585 | ₱585 |
| Renewal, expired 1 day to 1 year | License ₱585 + penalty ₱75 | ₱660 |
| Renewal, expired more than 1 year to 2 years | License ₱585 + penalty ₱150 | ₱735 |
| Renewal, expired more than 2 years (with exams) | License ₱585 + penalty ₱225 + application ₱100 | ₱910 |
| Duplicate of a valid license (lost or damaged) | Replacement ₱225 + certification ₱100 + clearance ₱30 | ₱355 |
| Duplicate license with revision of records | Duplicate fees above + revision ₱100 | ₱455 |
| Duplicate student permit | Replacement ₱150 + certification ₱100 + clearance ₱30 | ₱280 |
| Revision of records on a valid license (name, address, civil status) | Replacement ₱225 + revision ₱100 | ₱325 |
| Additional DL code on a valid license | Replacement ₱225 + DL code ₱100 + application ₱100 | ₱425 |
Fees that LTO does not set
- Medical certificate: the LTO-accredited clinic charges its own fee, which varies by clinic and is not part of the LTO amounts above. Ask the clinic for its rate before the exam.
- TDC and PDC courses: accredited driving schools set their own tuition for the Theoretical and Practical Driving Courses.
- Old “computer fee”: older guides add a ₱67.63 computer fee, giving totals such as ₱652.63 for renewal. That line is not in the 2024 or 2025 Citizen’s Charter fee tables, so do not budget for it unless LTMS or the cashier shows it on your assessment.
Your exact assessment appears in LTMS before you pay or at the LTO cashier. If it differs from the table, follow the official assessment and pay only to the LTO cashier or the payment channels listed in LTMS. Never pay a fixer or a look-alike site.
LTO driver’s license renewal from abroad or in advance
Drivers who will be abroad on their renewal date can ask LTO about advance renewal; offices have commonly asked for proof of travel, such as a plane ticket. If your license already expired while you were away, ask the office what applies to your situation, since requirements can change the longer a license stays expired.
New drivers: the student permit
New drivers start with a student-driver’s permit. LTO’s requirements for Filipino applicants include:
- being at least 16 years old;
- completing the 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) at an LTO-accredited driving school, LTO Driver’s Education Center, or accredited TESDA training center, with the certificate sent electronically to LTO;
- a medical certificate from an accredited clinic;
- a filled-out APL form and proof of identity, such as a PSA birth certificate; and
- parental consent if you are under 18.
The student permit is valid for one year, and LTO’s fee for it is ₱250 (see the fee table above). Our PSA birth certificate guide explains how to order the document.
From student permit to non-professional license
To get a non-professional license, you must generally be at least 17, hold a student permit for at least one month, finish the Practical Driving Course (PDC) at an accredited school or driver’s education center, and pass the LTO theoretical exam and practical driving test. Applicants who are 17 need parental consent. LTO issues the license for the vehicle categories you trained and tested on, such as motorcycles or light cars.
Professional licenses
Professional licenses, needed for drivers paid to drive, such as jeepney, bus, truck, or ride-hailing drivers, have stricter requirements and tests suited to the vehicle and type of service. RA 10930 states that for professional drivers, the tests must match the vehicle and service the applicant intends to operate. Check LTO’s current requirements for the category you need before you apply.
Changing details on your license
The APL form also covers changes of address, civil status, name, and birthdate, plus added vehicle categories or removed driving conditions. For a name change after marriage, bring your PSA marriage certificate; see our PSA marriage certificate guide. Correct errors before your renewal date so your new card prints correctly.
Senior drivers and drivers with conditions
There is no fixed upper age limit for driving, but the medical exam decides whether you are fit to drive and whether conditions apply. The APL form lists conditions such as wearing corrective lenses, driving only with special equipment, daylight driving only, or using a hearing aid. Your license shows these, so follow them.
Lost or damaged licenses
You file for a duplicate license on the same APL form. Offices commonly ask for an affidavit of loss for a lost card, or the damaged card itself. LTO’s fee for a duplicate of a valid license is ₱355, or ₱455 if you also revise your records. Report a stolen license to the police as well, and keep the blotter or report number.
An example of a 10-year LTO driver’s license renewal
Alma’s five-year non-professional license expires on her birthday in December 2026. In November, she signs in to LTMS, sees no violations, and passes the CDE exam with 22 out of 25 correct. A week before her birthday, she has her medical exam at an accredited clinic, which sends the result to LTO. She then visits a renewal center, has her photo taken, and pays the ₱585 renewal fee at the cashier, plus the clinic’s own fee for the medical exam. Because her record is clean, her new card is valid for ten years.
Demerit points and violations
LTO records traffic violations against your license under a demerit point system. LTO may ask drivers with accumulated points to complete a driver’s reorientation course. At higher levels, they may also need to pass an exam before an LTO driver’s license renewal can proceed. Points also affect whether you get ten-year validity. Check your record in LTMS months before your expiry date, so there is time to settle violations or complete any required course.
If you believe LTO recorded a violation in error, contest it through the office that issued the ticket as early as possible, rather than at the renewal counter.
Choosing a driving school
For new drivers, the TDC and PDC must come from an LTO-accredited driving school, an LTO Driver’s Education Center, or an accredited TESDA training center, because the completion certificate has to be sent electronically to LTO. Before paying, ask the school whether LTO accredits it for the vehicle type you want. Also ask how many hours of actual driving the PDC includes and whether it uses its own vehicles. Prices vary by school, so compare a few.
Motorcycle riders
Motorcycle licenses follow the same student permit, PDC, and testing path, but the practical test is done on a motorcycle. If you later want to drive a car, you apply to add the vehicle category, with its own training and test. Riders renewing their license follow the same LTO driver’s license renewal steps as car drivers.
Common mistakes
- getting a medical certificate from a non-accredited clinic;
- waiting until the last week, when the CDE exam or a pending violation can delay you;
- paying fixers who promise a “no-appearance” renewal, which the law does not allow; and
- using look-alike websites instead of the official LTMS portal.
Using your license as ID
A driver’s license is among the most widely accepted government IDs. See our valid government IDs guide for how it compares with other IDs, and our government ID and document prep checklist for general prep tips.
Fees checked October 25, 2026 against the LTO License Schedule of Fees and Charges and the LTO Citizen’s Charter 2025. Procedures checked against the LTO LTMS portal and RA 10930 on Lawphil. LTO can change fees and procedures by memorandum circular, so confirm the assessment in LTMS before paying.
