A few weeks ago, I finally got my non-professional license here in Davao. I’ve been using my student’s permit for more than 3 years before I finally bit the bullet.  Not gonna lie, that phrase is a little bit too much for this topic. lol

Anyway, I finally got it and the reason why I have been procrastinating to get one was because I heard there’s a practical exam. lol I know a lot of people who wants to get their non professional license are a bit worried about that as well.

In this post, I will be sharing with you some tips on how to get one, without needing a “fixer”. lol DON’T GET A FIXER! IT’S PROHIBITED! (Not to mention, it’s expensive af. haha)

 

We arrived at 9AM at the Land Transportation Office here in Davao. I was actually thinking we need to get there earlier than that, as when I went there 2 years ago, I wasn’t even catered when I arrived at exactly 8AM. Before, a lot of people get in the queu as early as 5AM. Crazy, right? Good thing there were not a lot of people processing their license and papers back in September.

Before we dive into what I did to get my license, you can check their website and look at the requirements needed.

Finally, here’s a step-by-step guide on what I specifically did:

1. Get a medical certificate. I went to the eye clinic right next to the LTO. You will have to fill up a form and see the doctor. The doctor will then assess your eye sight and update all the information and findings on their system. It’s automated now, so all infos will then be forwarded automatically to the LTO’s system. You will still have to wait for a printed copy though. Payment was P400. (Note: This was the price I paid back in September 2019.)
2. I then went inside the LTO and got a form from the desk in front of Counter 6. You can download it online though if you want.
3. The queue process is a bit confusing as I was asked to get in line along with the people sitting on the chairs, but then when it was my turn, the officer on the desk (where I got the form) asked for a queue number. So, just to be sure, get a number before doing #1 (Although getting one is probably nonsense as you won’t be called basing on that anyway). I was still catered though. You will then have to wait for your name to be called.
4. Once called, go to Counter 6 and pay the fees.
5. Once paid, you will then go to the Seminar Hall to take the written exam. Wait for your name to be called again. Overall item is 40. You need to score at least 30 to pass. (Note: Bring a black ballpen with you. You will be using that when answering your test sheet. Be careful with shading as it will be graded via computer, so any answers which were not properly shaded will be considered wrong. Don’t worry if you forgot to bring a ballpen, as they’re selling inside the LTO. I forgot where though. Sorry)
   • Tip:
     • Read the rules on confiscation and revocation, parking uphill or downhill, signs, etc. I bought the manual and studied from there. They also got an online questionnaire which you can review as well. Although the questions I was given were taken from both the manual and the online questionnaire. lol Also, please keep in mind that the questions will vary depending on what you checked (the restrictions) on your application form. I checked restrictions 1 & 2. Although, your driving instructor will change it basing on your practical exam and basing on the answers to his questions.
6. Once passed, you will have to take the practical exam, which consists of parallel parking. Please wait for your name to be called at the Licensing Office, just in front of the seminar hall. Your driving instructor will then guide you outside for the practical test. You will be asked if you brought a car with you or not. There will be an additional fee if you will be using the car provided by the LTO.
   • Tips:
     • Bring the car that you usually practice with. We brought my sister’s car and I don’t even know how to turn the aircon off. lol. I usually use my dad’s car. She was processing some papers for her car, hence bringing that one instead. And to be honest, I wasn’t expecting a practical exam as my sister’s friend didn’t  have to get one. Why? idk. lol
     • Practice parallel parking beforehand. You need to do it in 2 moves only. If you did it more than that, you have to start all over again.
7. Once you passed the practical exam, wait for your name to be called on cashier 6 again for the additional payment. Once paid, go to the licensing office to check all your information from their computer and have your picture taken.
8. Lastly, wait for your name to be called on Counter 7 and finally get your non-professional license!

Total fees I paid: P1,220.26

Breakdown:

Medical Certificate: P400

Application + Computer Fee: P167.63

License + Computer Fee: P652.63

 

We were able to finish all these at 3PM.

That’s it for today’s post. I hope you find this helpful. Till next time!

 

xo,

Ela