Getting A New Driver's License

Last week, I went to the LTO in East Avenue to get my new non-professional driver’s license. It was a Friday, the 1st of December. I was there at around 8 AM. It was a very tiring day and I had to come back the next day for biometrics and releasing of the actual card. In other words, one day was not enough in applying for a new driver’s license in this particular branch.

For new drivers, here is an outline which may guide you in applying for a new driver’s license.

Important:

Arrive earlier than 8AM if possible. You may think you are already very early, but there are more people who would come earlier than you. The waiting area was already full when I arrived at around 8AM.

Be sure to have your medical exam certificate with you to not waste time and so you will not have to go out of the premises to go to the nearest ‘clinic’ to get your medical certificate. There are many ‘clinics’ around LTO East Ave. I went to Charlyn’s beside Chowking V.Luna and got mine for only PHP 200.

Bring a photocopy of your birth certificate because they will need to attach it to your application form. If you forgot to bring a photocopy, there is a photocopier in the canteen.

Review at least a day before taking your driver’s exam. The LTO does not provide reviews before actual exams unlike before, as mentioned by the staff in the Briefing Room. Here is a very comprehensive and updated LTO Exam Reviewer which I found helpful because I actually passed the written exam.

Once you are inside the LTO, tell the guard that you are getting a driver’s license so he could tell you where to go. And here is the sequence of how it will go.

1.  Get an application form from the customer service which sits under a tent. Tell the staff that you are applying for a new driver’s license. Specify if you are getting a non-professional or professional license. The staff will hand you a form with a number attached and you will be advised to proceed to the Briefing Room. (If you have a student permit and now getting a new non-pro license, show it to the staff and he will attach it to your application form as well).

2.  Once you are in the Briefing Room, you will be told to wait for the others to come. You may start filling up your application form while waiting for other people to arrive. When the staff starts talking, she will just tell you some things about the exam. After that, you will be directed to go to the waiting area and wait for your number to be called from any of the Windows 1, 2, or 3.

3.  Once your name is called from any of these first three windows (windows for Evaluation), you need to hand over your accomplished application form. The staff will ask for a photocopy of your birth certificate and attach it to your form. After this, you will be advised to wait to be called from Window 6 for photo-taking.

4.  After some time waiting, your name will be called to Window 6. You are lucky if you still look good in your photo and not getting an oily face due to the humidity inside the area.

5.  After your turn in Window 6, you will wait again to be called to Window 7 to pay for your application. I paid PHP 168.00 (the price is also posted on a paper on the glass window).

6.  After you pay, you will wait again for your name to be called into the examination room. Once your name is called and you are already inside the exam room, the staff will ask how you want your written exam to be: English or Tagalog, and you will be directed to your seat number.

7.  After you finish your written exam, you will be asked to wait a bit. It will only take a few minutes to know your exam’s result. If you pass, you will wait for your name to be called for the driving test. If you fail, they will have you sign on a paper and you will be given a letter. Take note that you can only retake the exam after one month.

8.  When your name is called, you will be asked to go outside to the driving area. The staff will ask you what you want to drive. In my case, I chose automatic vehicle. Depends on what you need to drive, the LTO allows to rent their own test vehicles (motorcycle, manual small cars, automatic car). I paid PHP 250.00 for the rent of their A/T car, which was a Hyundai Accent (smells new, by the way).

9.  After your practical test, you will be instructed to go back to the waiting area and wait for your name to be called. You will be called to Window 7 again to pay for your exam fees. The amount varies depending on what restriction you chose in your application form. In my case, I paid PHP 750.00. After that, you will wait again.

10. If you are lucky, you will proceed with the biometrics and another photo-taking from any of the windows 12, 14, 15. After your biometrics, you wait for your name to be called from Window 10 (Releasing). It will only take a few minutes and your new driver’s license will be in your hands.

But if it happens that it is already late in the afternoon, you will be called from Window 10 to give you a receipt which serves as a valid driver’s license and return to the LTO the next (or any day you are available for the biometrics and releasing of card. Yes, this is what actually happened to me. I returned the next day, 9AM with sleepy eyes.)

Just some advice for new drivers, who are getting their license from LTO East Avenue. Bring water and food. You will experience long hours of waiting, sweating, and getting thirsty and hungry, and you will need all your patience at this time.

I hope this would help anyone looking for information before going to the LTO. Now you know what to expect. You are lucky if you accomplish all these in less than a day.

Note:

The LTO East Avenue (Main Office) is open on Saturdays (9AM - 5PM) just for the biometrics and releasing of license. New application is only processed on weekdays.