The days when you can ask a friend or a family member to give you a free driving lesson are a thing of the past. What occupies the mind of most future drivers now is the theoretical driving course LTO price and the test that comes after it. 

This all comes down to a new guideline of the Land Transportation Office (or LTO) that mandates a certificate of course completion. According to LTO, those who apply for both non-professional and professional licenses are required to complete a 15-hour theoretical driving course as well as an 8-hour practical driving course offered by one of the driving schools accredited by the agency itself. 

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What Is Theoretical Driving Course?

As stated in the Memorandum Circular 2019-2176, applicants requesting driver’s licenses are required to take a 15-hour LTO theoretical driving course with certified instructors. The three-session course covers everything student applicants need to know, from special laws mandated by LTO to traffic regulations. Applicants have two years, from the course start date, to complete it. 

Applicants requesting driver’s licenses are required to take a 15-hour theoretical driving course with certified instructors

Theoretical driving course LTO price may vary depending on the school offering it. 

More About LTO’s Theoretical Driving Course

According to LTO, from the third of August, 2020, people who apply for new driver’s licenses, additional restriction codes, and student-driver permits have to gain driving course completion certificates issued by LTO-accredited establishments, authorized administrators and instructors, as well as DECs (short for Driver Education Centers). 

Certificates are divided into two types: TDC (theoretical driving course LTO certificate) and PDC (Practical Driving Course certificate). Foreigners, those who have expired permits, and applicants of new student-driver permits will be required to acquire the TDC certificates which are issued upon the completion of the LTO accredited theoretical driving course. LTO is also responsible for everything regarding driving, like the LTO penalty for expired motorcycle registration in the Philippines for example.

Applicants also have to participate in a Practical Driving course 

PDC certificates are expected from those whose student-driver permits were granted from the third of August onward and apply for both non-professional and professional driver’s licenses. These certificates are issued after applicants complete the required 8-hour practical driving lessons. Fortunately, the theoretical driving course LTO price is cheaper than ever at the moment, making now the perfect time to take it. 

This new process of LTO is to ensure that drivers who are given licenses possess above-average driving skills and an extensive knowledge of driving laws and road safety. 

With that in mind, the agency mandates that the LTO basic driving theory test must be taken before the practical one. The curriculum is made up of driving sessions, as well as classroom, and theoretical instructions. Each session is concluded by a 30-minute exam. 

In line with their ambition, the Land Transportation Office set up a San Fernando-based Driver’s Education Center (DEC) and dropped the theoretical driving course LTO price to zero as long as applicants take it at the above center. The DEC features two lecture rooms for the course and one for the exam required to gain the certificate. To prevent cheating, examinations are supervised by lecturers and questionnaires come in sets. Plus, LTO promised strict security checks for fixers to ensure fair tests. 

San Fernando-based Driver’s Education Center

The DEC in Pampanga features a maneuvering track for applicants to practice for free. However, bear in mind that the LTO will not issue certificates or do PDCs at the facility. 

Some of you might wonder if you can take the LTO theoretical driving course online. The answer is yes, in fact, A1 Driving used to offer such a course, but it is unavailable at the moment. 

How To Apply For A Non-Professional Driver’s License

Since the theoretical driving course LTO price is now lower than ever at the agency’s Driver Education Centers, some of you might want to seize the chance to earn the needed certificate, here is how: 

Step 1: Apply for Non-Professional A/T driver’s licenses. 

The fee varies depending on the LTO branches and Driving School you apply for. The price for the theoretical driving course online accredited by LTO at A1 Driving School is P1,800 but it is currently unavailable. 

Step 2: Do the written exam. 

Upon completing the mandatory 15-hour course, take the written exam with the driving school. If you pass, the school will submit the needed certification to the Student Permit Application. Test takers will also receive a printed version of it. 

If you are wondering ‘theoretical driving course LTO how much does it cost?’ here is the answer for you. At LTO’s DECs, the course is free of charge, but if you take it with other schools, you will have to pay an amount of fee for it. 

Step 3: Apply for Student Permit.

Fill in and submit the following forms and certificates: certificate for the Theoretical Driving Course, Accomplished Application Form, birth certificate, and last but not least, Medical. The whole process is quite fast and after a month or so, you can register for the Non-Professional Driver’s License. The fee for Medical and Student Permit are P450 and P318 respectively. 

Step 4: Take the 8-hour Practical Driving Course. 

After getting the certificate for the TDC and completing the above application, now is the time to take the practical driving course. Since the theoretical driving course LTO price is now zero, you might want to take this chance. 

The course consists of four sessions, each last for two hours. Students will be awarded the Certificate for Course Completion on the fourth session. You can ask the school where you take the course to submit the certificate to LTO. The fees for the 8-hour course and for printing the certificate are P7,520 and P200 respectively. 

Step 5: Apply for the Non-Professional Driver’s License.

Go to LTO with the following documents: those required for the Student Permit Application, Medical, Student Permit, Accomplished Form, and certificate for the Practical Driving Course. 

Apply for the Non-Professional Driver’s License at LTO offices

The steps after that are: 

- Check the documents

- Register at the Public Portal

- Pay for the computerized exam

- Take signature, biometrics, and photo

- Take the LTMS Exam

- Take the driving test

- Pay for driver’s license

- Release

LTO 15-Hour Theoretical Driving Course Is Free

The agency announced that the theoretical driving course LTO price is free as long as you take it at one of the Driver’s Education Centers listed below:

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