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LTO Driver's License Renewal: Requirements, Fees and Penalties

Everything you need to renew a professional or non-professional driver's license, from the LTO's 2026 Citizen's Charter: what to bring, what it costs, the penalty if it's expired, and how OFWs renew. Enter your expiry date above to see your fee.

Written byPapelesPH Editorial TeamEdited byAnnatalia
Checked 4 Oct 20265 min read6 official sourcesHow we check
PapelesPH is an independent guide, not a government office. Requirements and fees can differ by office, so confirm with the issuing office. We never ask for your personal details.
Quick answer
₱585On-time renewal
₱75–₱225Penalty if expired
5 or 10 yearsValidity (RA 10930)
2 yearsLate by more: retake exams

To renew an LTO driver's license, bring your current license and an electronically transmitted medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic, and settle any unpaid traffic violations. On time, it costs ₱585. If it's expired, add a penalty of ₱75 (up to 1 year) or ₱150 (1 to 2 years). If it's been expired more than 2 years, you retake the exams and pay ₱910 (₱100 application, ₱585 license, ₱225 penalty). Licenses are valid for 5 years, or 10 years if you had no traffic violations (RA 10930).

Read the steps Open portal.lto.gov.ph (LTMS)

Professional and non-professional driver's licenses. Fees from the LTO Citizen's Charter (2026, 1st Edition). Runs on your phone only; nothing is sent or saved.

How long a driver's license is valid

Under RA 10930 (2017), which amended the Land Transportation and Traffic Code:

  • Driver's licenses are valid for five years, counted from your birthdate, unless revoked or suspended earlier.
  • If you didn't commit any traffic violation during the five years, you're entitled to a ten-year license when you renew, subject to the LTO's restrictions.
  • Student permits are the exception: they're valid for one year. See LTO student permit.

Who can renew without an exam

From the LTO's Citizen's Charter (2026, 1st Edition), you can do a plain renewal if:

  • your license hasn't been expired for more than two years
  • you're physically and mentally fit to drive
  • you have no unsettled traffic violation
  • you completed the Comprehensive Driver's Education (CDE) before the first renewal of a 5-year license (see the exemption below)
  • if you have 5 to 9 demerit points, you completed the Driver's Reorientation Course and its exam. With 10 to 39 points, you also pass the automated theoretical exam.

Advance renewal: if you're leaving the country, you can renew up to one year before your license expires. Bring your plane ticket.

Renewal requirements

RequirementNotes
Your original driver's or conductor's licensePresent the original card
Electronically transmitted medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinicThe clinic sends it to the LTO; bring the original and one photocopy. The LTO's clinic list was last updated 5 March 2025, so confirm the clinic is still accredited
CDE certificate, for the first renewal of a 5-year licenseNot required if your student permit was issued on or after 3 August 2020, or you renewed to your current license on or after 28 October 2021
Driver's Reorientation Course certificateOnly if you have 5 to 39 demerit points
Plane ticketOnly for advance renewal
Foreigners: valid working visa; special-purpose vehicle drivers: training certificateProfessional licenses

The CDE course is online. The LTO's Comprehensive Driver's Education (CDE) Program is in the LTMS portal's e-learning section, with the CDE Online Validation Exam. The Charter also lists LTO district and extension offices, renewal offices and Driver's Education Centers as places to complete it.

LTO license renewal: how much the delay costs you
Show as a table
SituationTotalBreakdown
Renewed on time₱585License fee only
Expired up to 1 year₱660₱585 + ₱75 penalty
Expired 1 to 2 years₱735₱585 + ₱150 penalty
Expired more than 2 years₱910₱100 application + ₱585 + ₱225 penalty, plus exams

Source: LTO Citizen's Charter (2026, 1st Edition). The medical certificate and any unpaid violations are paid separately.

How to renew

The Charter's walk-in process takes about 2 hours from submitting complete requirements:

  1. Get a queue number

    at the LTO licensing office and wait to be called.

  2. Submit your requirements

    at the Client Service Officer window. Staff check them and update your details.

  3. Pay at the cashier

    and get your official receipt.

  4. Biometrics

    Your fingerprints, photo and signature are captured.

  5. Get your card

    Present your receipt, verify with a fingerprint scan and claim your new license.

You can also start the process on the LTMS portal.

Fees and late renewal penalties

From the LTO Citizen's Charter (2026, 1st Edition):

Your situationWhat you payTotal
On time or advance renewalLicense renewal fee ₱585₱585
Expired 1 day to 1 year₱585 + ₱75 penalty₱660
Expired more than 1 year, up to 2 years₱585 + ₱150 penalty₱735
Expired more than 2 years (retake the exams)₱100 application + ₱585 license + ₱225 penalty₱910

The Charter doesn't charge a separate application fee for plain renewals. The ₱100 application fee applies only when you have to take the exams. Storing your license with the LTO before it expires means no penalty when you reactivate it.

Renewing from abroad (OFWs)

Filipinos working or living abroad can renew through an authorized representative:

  • Your representative submits your requirements with a letter of authority and a photocopy of your passport (first page, visa page, and your departure and latest arrival stamps).
  • The fee is ₱585 without penalty. The official receipt serves as your temporary driver's license.
  • Within 30 days of arriving in the Philippines, you go to the same LTO office for biometrics and photo capture, with your electronically transmitted medical certificate, passport and official receipt.

Expired more than two years

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you can't do a plain renewal. You apply for renewal with examination: pay the ₱100 application fee, pass the theoretical and practical exams, then pay the license fee and penalty. The same process applies if you have 10 to 39 demerit points.

Sa Tagalog: paano mag-renew ng lisensya?

Para mag-renew ng lisensya sa LTO, dalhin ang lumang lisensya at medical certificate mula sa LTO-accredited clinic, at bayaran muna ang anumang traffic violation. Kung on time, ₱585 lang. Kung expired na: ₱660 (hanggang 1 taon) o ₱735 (1 hanggang 2 taon). Kapag lampas 2 taon nang expired, kailangang mag-exam ulit at ang kabuuan ay ₱910. Valid ang lisensya nang 5 taon, o 10 taon kung walang violation.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the LTO license renewal fee in 2026?

₱585 if you renew on time, per the LTO Citizen's Charter (2026, 1st Edition). If it's expired, it's ₱660 (up to 1 year), ₱735 (1 to 2 years) or ₱910 (more than 2 years, with exams).

What is the penalty for an expired driver's license?

₱75 if expired 1 day to 1 year, ₱150 if more than 1 year up to 2 years, and ₱225 if more than 2 years. After 2 years you also retake the theoretical and practical exams.

Do I still need the CDE to renew?

Only for the first renewal of a 5-year license. It's not required if your student permit was issued on or after 3 August 2020, or you renewed to your current license on or after 28 October 2021.

How do I get a 10-year driver's license?

Under RA 10930, you're entitled to a 10-year license at renewal if you committed no traffic violations during your 5-year license period, subject to the LTO's restrictions.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes, for the same ₱585. If you're leaving the country, the Charter allows advance renewal up to one year before expiry with your plane ticket.

How can an OFW renew a driver's license?

Through an authorized representative with a letter of authority and passport copies, for ₱585. The receipt serves as a temporary license, and you appear at the same LTO office within 30 days of arriving for biometrics.

Document

LTO student permit

Requirements, the ₱250 fee and validity rules for the student-driver's permit.

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Valid IDs in the Philippines

The IDs most offices accept, and which to bring for your clearance.

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NBI clearance renewal online

Quick Renewal with home delivery, and when you still need a branch visit.

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Sources

Last checked 4 October 2026. See how we research and the updates log.