How to Convert Non-Pro to Pro License in Philippines (Requirements)

You must have a valid driver’s license to drive a vehicle on the roads of Philippines. With a non-professional driver’s license (NPDL), you can drive a private vehicle, while a professional driver’s license (PDL) allows you to drive a public utility vehicle or a commercial vehicle.

You cannot drive a commercial or public utility vehicle with a non-pro license. If you want to drive such a vehicle, you should change your non-pro license to pro license.

Difference between Non-Pro and Pro License [NPDL vs PDL]

The Non-Professional Driver’s License is required when you want to drive your own car/motorcycle, or similar private vehicle. On the other hand, the Professional Driver’s License is required when you want to drive a vehicle to earn money.

It can be a public utility vehicle like a taxi, bus, mini van or any other public vehicle. It can also be a commercial vehicle used for the transportation of goods and vehicles used for construction of buildings, roads and others.

You must have a Professional Driver’s License (PDL) to drive such a public or commercial vehicle in the Philippines.

Can I Change from Non-Pro to Pro License?

Yes, you can upgrade from a non-pro to a pro license if you want to earn a living using your driving skills. According to LTO Rules for Driver’s Licenses, any individual holding a non-professional driver’s license (NPDL) can switch to a professional driver’s license (PDL) by following the prescribed application process.

I Don’t Have a Non-Pro License, Can I Apply for Pro License?

No, you cannot apply for professional driver’s license if you don’t have a non-professional driver’s license. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has strict licensing rules, therefore it does not allow any person to apply for pro license if they don’t possess a non-pro license.

If you want to obtain a professional driver’s license (PDL) in Philippines, you have go through the step-by-step process mentioned below:

1. Apply for LTO Student Permit
2. Complete All Tests and Requirements
3. Obtain the Student Permit
4. Practice Driving under Supervision of a Driver’s License Holder for Minimum 1 Month
5. Apply for Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL)
6. Complete All Tests and Requirements
7. Obtain the Non-Professional License
8. Wait for Six Months and Apply for Professional Driver’s License (PDL) for Light Vehicles OR Wait for One Year and Apply for Professional Driver’s License (PDL) for Heavy Vehicles

So, there is no shortcut available to get a professional driver’s license in the Philippines. You must get a student permit first, then get the non-professional license and finally apply for the professional driver’s license as per rules set by the LTO Authority.

Can Foreigners Get Professional Driver’s License?

Yes, the foreigners can get a professional driver’s license if they fulfill all the requirements for it including having a non-professional driver’s license. In addition, the foreigners must have a valid residency permit/visa with a validity of 120 or more days as on the date of application.

If you are a foreign citizen residing in the Philippines, you can apply for a professional driver’s license (PDL) and work as a driver of professional vehicle(s) to earn bread-butter for yourself and your family. The Government does not put any restriction as long as you obey the law rules.

Non-Pro to Pro License Requirements

Before you decide to convert your non-professional driver’s license to a professional driver’s license, you must learn about its requirements. The process to change from non-pro to pro license is called Change of Classification of Driver’s License.

The LTO non-pro to pro license requirements reflect the eligibility criteria for professional driver’s license (PDL), continue reading for more details.

[1] Minimum Age:

You must meet the minimum age criteria to change from non-pro to pro license as per LTO Rules.

• Professional Driver’s License – Minimum Age: 18 Years

Make sure that your age is at least 18 years on the date of application for changing your driver’s license classification from non-professional to professional license.

[2] Medical Fitness or Condition:

The LTO Authority has clearly mentioned that the person must be physically and mentally fit to apply for any type of driver’s license. The LTO does not ask for a statement from the applicant, it forces the applicant to undergo a medical fitness test at an LTO Accredited clinic.

After completing the medical examination, the respective clinic releases a medical certificate as an evidence of good physical and mental health. The LTO will verify your medical certificate along with your application to change from non-professional to professional driver’s license application.

[3] Have Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL)

There is no direct application available for professional driver’s license (PDL). You must obtain a student permit first and then a non-professional driver’s license (NPDL).

Having a non-pro license is mandatory to apply for the pro license. There are two conditions about the period of having an NPDL (non-pro license) to apply for PDL (pro license).

• If you have a Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL) with RC 1 (DL Code A and/or A1), your license must be Minimum Six Months (6 Months) old on the day you Apply for Professional Driver’s License (PDL).
• If you have a Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL) with RC 2/4 (DL Code B, B1 and/or B2), your license must be Minimum One Year (1 Year) old on the day you Apply for Professional Driver’s License (PDL).

To understand different RC and DL Codes for non-pro and pro driver’s license in Philippines, you can check the LTO RC and DL Codes table that I have shared at the bottom of this post (right above the Summary).

[4] No Pending Traffic Violations and Fines:

At the time of applying for the process to change from non-professional to professional driver’s license, make sure that you do NOT have any unsettled/pending traffic violations and unpaid traffic fines.

As per LTO Rules, the applicant must clear all unsettled/pending traffic violations and fines before submitting an application for the professional driver’s license (PDL).

[5] Accumulated Demerit Points:

For every act of traffic violation, the LTO adds some fines and demerit points to your driver’s license. For tiny violations, you will get 2-3 demerit points, while the serious violations lead to 5 to 10 or more demerit points in one time.

If you have any demerit points on your non-professional driver’s license, the LTO will not allow to change from non-pro to pro license for a certain period. You can apply for pro license only when you have zero unsettled violations, fines and zero demerit points.

The prohibition period to apply for professional driver’s license is linked to the number of demerit pointed accumulated on your driver’s license. Here I provide prohibition period based on accumulated demerit points are under:

• 1 to 2 Demerit Points – Prohibited for 3 Months
• 3 to 4 Demerit Points – Prohibited for 6 Months
• 5 or More Demerit Points – Prohibited for 1 Year

So, the LTO prohibits the applicant to change from non-pro to pro license for 3 months to 1 year based on the accumulated demerit points on their driver’s license.

[6] Driving Rules for Different Medical Conditions:

The people with certain medical conditions should know the LTO Driving Rules.

• Medical Condition Code 1 – 20/40 Vision, Require Eyeglasses or Corrective Lenses to drive a vehicle.
• Medical Condition Code 2 – Can Drive only with Special Equipment due to Impairment in Upper Limbs and/or Lower Limbs.
• Medical Condition Code 3 – Can Drive a customized motor vehicle only due to a challenging medical condition.
• Medical Condition Code 4 – Can Drive only in daylight due to Partial/Total Blindness in One Eye.
• Medical Condition Code 5 – Can Drive only with Hearing Aid as the person has Impaired Hearing condition.

The people with medical condition codes 2 to 5 are NOT allowed to drive For-Hire, Public Utility Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles except they have a valid Permission in Writing from an LTO Accredited Medical Specialist Personnel.

So, if you have a medical condition (code 2 to 5) then you must obtain a written permission letter/certificate from an LTO Accredited Medical Specialist before you apply to change from non-pro to pro license in the Philippines. Make sure that you attach the permission letter to the application form for professional driver’s license (PDL).

Documents Required for Non-Pro to Pro License Application

When you apply to change from non-professional to professional driver’s license, you must have the necessary documents. Here I provide the list of required documents for non-pro to pro license application as under:

1. Duly Filled Application Form
2. Original Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL)
3. Medical Certificate Issued by an LTO Accredited Clinic (showing physical & mental fitness)
4. Tax Identification Number (TIN) Issued by BIR
5. Valid Residency/Work Visa with Minimum 120 Days Validity on the date of application (for Foreigners only)

Additional Documents for Specific Cases/Applicants

If the LTO considers you in a specific category/case, they may ask for additional documents based on your condition. Here I provide the list of additional documents that may be required to attach to your application for non-pro to pro license.

• National Police Clearance
• NBI Clearance
• Court Clearance
• Medical Certificate Showing Negative Drug Test Result (Certificate Issued by an LTO Accredited Testing Clinic/Center)
• Commanding Officer Issued Certificate (If you are from Army)
• Written Permit Issued by an LTO Accredited Medical Specialist (If you are under medical condition codes 2 to 5)

Non-Pro to Pro License Fees

In order to change your non-pro driver’s license to a pro license, you need to pay the fees. The LTO charges professional driver’s license (PDL) application fee, replacement fee, renewal fee and change classification fee. It also takes extra fee for each additional restriction code you want to add to your professional license.

You have to penalty if your non-pro license is expired. Here I provide complete fee information for NPDL to PDL conversion process.

• Application Fee – ₱100
• Replacement Fee – ₱225 [If your non-pro license is valid]
• Renewal Fee – ₱585 (If your non-pro license is expired]
• Change Classification Fee – ₱100
• For Each Additional Restriction Code – ₱100

Penalty [Only If your non-pro license is expired]

• If expired before 1 day to 1 year – ₱75
• If expired before 1 year and 1 day to 2 years – ₱150
• If expired before 2 years and 1 day to 10 years – ₱225

In addition to the fees mentioned above, you must pay the medical fitness test fee at respective clinic/healthcare center.

Get Ready to Appear in Theoretical and Practical Tests

Before applying for a professional driver’s license (PDL), you should prepare yourself for the theoretical/written exam, practical training and practical driving test for the RC/DL Code you have applied for.

It is recommended to prepare by knowing all traffic rules and your selected vehicle operating system to appear in respective tests with confidence and pass them to qualify to obtain your professional driver’s license from the LTO.

Non-Pro to Pro License Application Process

As per LTO Rules, you must apply for non-pro to pro license in-person at the LTO Office. There are many LTO branches, you can find the nearest LTO branch and visit there to apply for driver’s license classification change from non-pro to pro with prescribed application form and required documents.

Click to Download Non-Pro to Pro License Application Form PDF

Use above given link to download and print the non-professional to professional driver’s license application form. Then follow the steps given below to complete the process.

1. Fill up the application form for non-pro to pro license classification change (NPDL to PDL).
2. Attach required documents to the application form.
3. Visit your nearest LTO Branch/Office during working hours on a weekday (Monday to Friday). Note: Some LTO branches require prior appointment booking, you can book it online at LTO/LTMS Portal.
4. Go to the service counter and stand in the queue, wait for your turn.
5. Hand over the application form with required documents to the service executive and let them check.
6. Go to cashier and pay the fee by cash.
7. Move to Encoding and Biometrics Section to register your biometrics and encoding the form in New LTMS System.
8. As the service executive tells you the date of your next visit, you can leave the LTO Office.
9. Visit the same LTO Office on given date to collect your Official Receipt (OR) and Professional Driver’s License.

During the application process at the LTO Office, you may need to appear and pass the written exam and/or practical driving test to qualify for the professional driver’s license as per rules.

LTO Driver’s License RC and DL Codes

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has set Restriction Codes (RC) and Driver’s License Codes (DL Codes) to specify classification of a driver’s license. The RC/DL Code is printed on back of your driver’s license to indicate that you can drive the vehicles covered under the given code(s) only. Check the table given below to learn more about it.

Summary:

The professional driver’s license (PDL) is mandatory if you want to drive a public utility vehicle or a commercial vehicle. You can use the guide I shared above to switch from non-pro to pro license step-by-step without making any mistake.

Kindly note that you need to select Change of DL Classification option in your driver’s license application form. You should also select the RC/DL Codes based on your choice of vehicle(s) for which you are applying for the professional driver’s license.

In case you still have a query or doubt, you can ask it in the comment section given below.

FAQs