Here’s your guide to Professional Driver’s License requirements in 2021

For starters, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is providing motorists with three types of driver’s licenses. These include Student Permit, Non-Professional Driver’s License, and Professional Driver’s License.

Since you clicked on this article, chances are you already have your non-professional driver’s license with you – that’s good as it is an LTO requirement before getting a professional driver’s license. Of note, a professional driver’s license is usually taken by someone who will make a living out of driving.

If you don't drive to make a living, it is not recommended that you get a pro license

If you are currently holding a student permit, you cannot jump to having a professional driver’s license. It takes a long time before actually having a professional driver’s license as an LTO requirement.

Here are the professional driver’s license requirements for 2021 that you’ll need to get started. We have also listed other aspects of having a professional driver’s license such as renewal and restriction codes.

Taking examinations can take a long time

Professional Driver’s License requirements for 2021:

1. Duly accomplished Application Form for Driver’s License (ADL). This form can be downloaded via LTO’s official website. The ADL is also part of an LTO non pro requirement if you intend to get one before trying to obtain a professional driver's license.

2. Presentation of a copy of the medical certificate. The copy of your medical certificate is electronically transmitted to LTO by the accredited medical clinic.

3. As said earlier, you cannot jump from a student permit to a professional driver’s license. This is why LTO is requiring candidates to present an original valid/expired non-professional driver’s license as a requirement.

4. Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN).

Bring the necessary forms to avoid inconvenience

Professional Driver’s License Qualifications

• Having a profession as a driver requires a capable mind and body as driving recklessly on the road can cause accidents. Even worse, it can cause death. This is why LTO said that candidates must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle.
• Road signs in the country are either written in Filipino or English. Since a professional driver’s license is the highest form of LTO license, candidates must be able to read and write in Filipino and/or English.
• To make sure that candidates are fully committed, they must have passed the required LTO driver's license written and practical examination.
• The last driver's license requirement LTO is imposing is that candidates must be a holder of a valid non-professional driver’s license at least six (6) months from issuance.

Even if you have a professional driver's license, it is still best that you check your listed restrictions before articulated vehicles

>>> Related: How can I apply for an international driver’s license?

Professional Driver’s License Transaction

• Request for an Application for Driver’s License (ADL).
• Submit your accomplished Application for Driver’s License (ADL) form and LTO will provide you with a queue number.
• Proceed to the Cashier for payment fees. We have listed down the fees and charges that you need to know when availing of a professional driver’s license.
• Next up is you have to take the written examination. For a non-professional driver’s license examination, it consists of 40 items. While for a professional driver’s license, it consists of 60 items. All questions in the exam are in a multiple-choice format. The question consists of road and traffic rules in the country.
• After the written examination, you will be taking the actual driving test. Since a professional driver’s license is primarily used for employment, the actual test will be stricter as compared to getting a non-professional driver’s license.
• Proceed to the cashier for payment of fees.
• Proceed to the encoding/biometric window and accomplishes form for the encoding of complete details in the new LTO-IT system.
• Lastly, you will receive your professional driver’s license and you are required to sign in LTO’s log sheet.

You can now book an appointment online if you will renew your license

LTO Pro driver's license restriction codes

Owning a professional driver’s license doesn’t necessarily mean you can already drive all motor vehicles. This is why it is important that you are aware of driver's license restriction codes. These codes include that allowed vehicles in a driver’s license. Here is the complete list as per LTO:

Of note, non-professional driver’s license holders can only have restriction codes 1, 2, and 4. Meanwhile, a professional driver’s license can have any depending on its added codes.

Pro license requirements 2021: Fee & Charges

Professional Driver’s License and Conversion of Foreign License Fees and Charges

Renewal of Professional Driver’s License Fees and Charges

Additional Restriction Codes Fees and Charges

Professional Driver’s License Requirements 2021: FAQs

Q: How many items are there in a professional driver’s license written examination?

A professional driver’s license written examination consists of 60 items. Meanwhile, a non-professional driver’s license written examination consists of 40 items only.

Q: What are the restriction codes?

Restriction codes determine what types of vehicles you are allowed to drive in the country.

Q: Can I get a professional driver’s license if I have a student permit?

No, it is required that you are holding a non-professional driver’s license for a specific amount of time before you can get a professional driver’s license.

Q: How much is the fee for the application for a professional driver’s license for 2021?

There isn't any difference between the driver's license requirement and fees in 2020 versus this year. You are still required to pay a license fee of Php 585 and an application fee of Php 100. These two LTO fees total to Php 685.

Q: Is a drug test required when acquiring a professional driver’s license?

No, drug tests are not a requirement anymore. This is in accordance with Section 36 (A) of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, following the passing of RA 10586.

Read more helpful driving tips at Philkoste.com