Driver’s License renewal for 10 years validity in the Philippines is legit!
As of February 2022, I had my try on renewing my driver’s license non-professional. Having read a post in Facebook of someone I know, he was able to renew his driver’s license and also was qualified for a 10 years validity. With his post, he also explained and shared his experience on the application for his driver’s license renewal at the main LTO branch at Pacdal, Baguio City.
Whereas for me? I tried the LTO’s portal at Porta Vaga Mall, Baguio City. And it was pretty quick! Of course provided that everything is ready and there are no long line.
First off, let me share what my friend in facebook shared as the requirements for renewing one’s driver’s license. His post was:
FYI to All Drivers. Save this post for future reference.
10yrs drivers license is real
For only 585.00 pesos
Oo, 10yrs na bago ma expired ang drivers license ngayon, at LTO main office
Conditions
No traffic violations
Pass CDE exam (Comprehensive Drivers Education)
60days bago ung expiration date (early renew)
Dont worry madali lang ang exam
25 items lang ito
How to renew
1. Get a medical certificate
Bago pumasok ng LTO main may medical sa labas. 500 pesos ang bayad,
Weight
Height
Vision
Please avoid makipag usap sa mga fixers
2. Dapat nakapag register kana din online sa https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/f?p=1200:HOME:116425943499590::::: dahil andito lahat ng detail ng drivers license mo at dito ka din mag e-exam about ( Comprehensive Drivers Education)
3. Pag naka pasa kana sa exam, may isesend sayong certificate via email na katunayang ikaw ay pasado, bibigyan kana ng papel na for renewal at dumiretso na sa window 1 at ipasa lahat ng requirements (old drivers license, medical, passed CDE exam) at intayin tawagin sa window 7 cashier
4. Pag tinawag na sa window 7, magbabayad lamang nang 585.00 pesos for renewal ng license, at dito mo na makikita kung ikaw ba ay qualified sa 10yrs or 5yrs lamang
intayin tawagin sa window 2 & 3
5. Window 2&3 for biometrics na, (fingerprints, picture, pirma) tatanungin lang kung may babaguhin ba sa mga details mo or wala,
ctto
So from this post, I went directly and registered in LTO’s portal: https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/f?p=1200:HOME::::::
I too took the CDE (Comprehensive Drivers Education) Exam, found under the “E-learning” menu and alas! It was indeed easy. I think it was an exam to test your logic.. ehe!? Although some questions maybe not applicable and therefore can’t be answered correctly. Example? The question was about motorcycles, and I have not driven nor have tried to learn about motorcycles. So simply put, my answer was incorrect. Furthermore, the passing rate was very giving! So I passed! And the certificate was sent to my email and can also be found in the registered account in the portal. Details also about the driver can also be viewed in the portal. And therefore one could also check if the driver has committed traffic violations.
So if you have no violations, you are qualified for a 10-year validity driver’s license. If not, 5 years validity only. And, if you failed the exam? Maybe disqualified? I’m uncertain with this situation. Given that the exam is too easy. I am uncertain as well if you could re-take the exam after failing, but I’m guessing you can.
So now that I was able to comply all conditions except for one condition, which I couldn’t grasp or understand: The “60 days bago ung expiration date (early renew)” or in english “60 days before the expiration date”. Having understood the instruction, I went to Porta Vaga I think “more than” 60 days before the expiration date. Let’s just say 60 + 7 or 8 days. I was told that I should come back on “blank” (stated date)… which is kind of probably the 60th day before the expiration day of my license.
So, OK… Didn’t asked further and to clarify the “60 days before the expiration date.” So, sorry.
They instead advised me to get my medical certificate already which I did. And I paid P450.00 for that. Oh by the way, from the post it said it was P500.00. So I got 50 pesos cheaper. Ehe!?
Oh yeah, the LTO portal in Porta Vaga is found somewhere in the Second Floor / level. On the same level are Driving Schools where one can enroll I suppose. On one stall is an accredited medical clinic that provides the medical certificate.
Oh yes, another requirement is a filled-up ADL (Application for Driver’s License) form. And an interesting one that happened is that the LTO portal / stall was unable to provide me one, instead they asked me that the clinic would provide one for me. But after having been tested and provided with the medical certificate, they (the clinic) instructed me to just buy one in the driving school near them. Which I did and it cost me P5.00 for a photocopy of the ADL form. Alas, I forgot to check the LTO website if they allow downloading of the form. And when I did check, they indeed provide a colored copy. See below photos:
here’s the given photocopy from the Driving School:
Here’ what you can download from the LTO website:
And since, there is a very minor difference from the two. If you would notice from the black and white copy a “Client ID No. _____ Password ____” is placed on top of the form. Whereas from the website of LTO, this is not found on top. Hence, I made my own and made my ADL form which I filled it up. Below is the result:
So when the date came that they advised me to come, I went back at Porta Vaga and lined up since the mall opens at 9am. Oh, yes the guard at Porta Vaga requires the Vaccination card before entering. And, when I was at the LTO’s portal / stall, there were only 2 customers before me. Not long after, it was my turn. I showed my old driver’s license for them to check again and they asked me my ADL form (filled up), medical certificate, if I registered in the LTO website and if I took the CDE exam and passed (printed certificate). And since all requirements were provided, I waited for a few minutes and they called me at the cashier / biometrics window.
I was asked to pay first the P585.00 fee for the renewal (best to prepare the exact amount, esp. if you are the first one to apply). After this, I was asked to place my two point finger on the scanner. I was asked to do this twice (I’m not sure why, but I think the first one was to access my details and the second one was after I paid, which may indicate that I paid the fee. I think…just my thoughts..) After paying, I was asked if there were details I want to change, esp. my photo and my signature. Which, I declined and was simply satisfied with my current details.
After a few minutes, they were able to print my new driver’s license where the 10 years validity is indicated. Although after giving me my ID, I was instructed to take a photo of a printed schedule and the personnel from the LTO portal explained to me that on my fourth (4th) birthday and seventh (7th) birthday after my year of renewal, I have to take again medical test on their accredited clinics but no need to come to their stall / portal. I have simply nodded after their explanation but in my mind I was thinking “so.. I would pay again P450 or P500 on those dates.. OK..”.
So that’s it! And it took me just 15 minutes on my second come back and took home my new driver’s license with 10 years validity.
(P.S. The LTO Porta Vaga portal only transacts student driver’s license and renewal as of now, other transactions are advised to go to the main LTO branch at Pacdal. And it is said that if they have internet problems, transactions at Porta Vaga may be halted or can not be accommodated. But they may accommodate inquiries such as the issues of the two customers before me.)