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| The LTO offers a free 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) to new drivers and applicants who wish to obtain a Student-Driver's Permit prior to obtaining a driver's license. Know how to enroll for a free TDC here. |
(UPDATED 06/05/2022) Since April 6, 2020, new drivers who want to obtain a Student-Driver's Permit must enroll in a 15-hour Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) or any LTO-accredited Driving Schools due to Memorandum Circular 2019-2176.
Applicants do not need to be concerned if their budget does not allow them to enroll in a TDC lecture because LTO provides it for free at their education centers throughout the Philippines.
After completing the course, the applicant will receive a TDC certificate, which they will need to obtain a Student-Driver's Permit. The purpose of obtaining a TDC certificate is to ensure that applicants are disciplined individuals who understand traffic rules when driving.
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What is Theoretical Driving Course (TDC)?
The TDC, or Theoretical Driving Course, is required for new drivers and applicants who seek to have a driver's license for the first time. They will be given a certificate after completing the 15-hour TDC lecture, which is one of the requirements for obtaining a Student-Driver's Permit.
Once an individual gets a Student-Driver's Permit, they will be allowed to get a non-professional driver's license after completing the necessary steps set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of the Philippines.
What are the requirements to get a TDC?
If you're able to get a schedule for the Theoretical Driving Course at any LTO office, you must provide the following:
- PSA/NSO Certificate of Live Birth (Original and Photocopy);
- A photocopy of one (1) valid government-issued identification card;
- If married, a photocopy of the marriage contract is required;
- One (1) piece of 2 x 2 ID photograph; and
- A printed copy of the Theoretical Driving School Student List with the student's name highlighted.
How can I avail myself of a free LTO Theoretical Driving Course?
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| Every week, the official Facebook Page of an LTO Drivers Education Center (DEC) will post an enrollment form. That's why applicants need to be vigilant so that they can avail of the free Theoretical Driving Course. |
To avail of a free 15-hour LTO Theoretical Driving Course, you must first check the official social media page of the nearest LTO office in your area, as they will be posting an online form each week for those who wish to reserve a slot.
If you are successful in obtaining a slot, you will be required to visit the LTO office and submit the necessary requirements. The TDC is to be completed in three days at a rate of five hours per day. The attendee should arrive at the center as early as 8:00 a.m. on the first day of orientation.
List of LTO - Drivers Education Centers
You may check the updated list of LTO Driver's Education Centers (per Region), where you can get a free LTO Theoretical Driving Course.
Simply follow the Facebook page of the LTO's regional office nearest you and wait for an announcement or inquire about the next Theoretical Driving Course schedule.
Region 1
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| La Union |
LTO Region 1 - Drivers Education Center (DEC) |
LTO Regional Office, Aguila Road, Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union |
0726193105 |
LTO - R1
LTO CARS |
Region 2
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Cagayan |
LTO Region 2 - DEC |
Main Avenue, San Gabriel, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan |
09357828582 |
LTO - R2 |
Region 3
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Pampanga |
Main DEC |
LTO Bldg., Government Center, Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga |
0454551764 |
LTO - R3 |
Region 4A
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Laguna |
LTO R4A DEC |
2/F Mvic Bldg., Maharlika Highway, San Benito, Alaminos, Laguna |
0495466415 |
LTO - R4A |
Region 4B
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Oriental Mindoro |
LTO - R4B Driving School (DS) |
Tawiran, City of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro |
0432887143 |
LTO - R4B |
| Marinduque |
LTO - Boac DS |
Bangbangalon, Boac, Marinduque |
423111526 |
LTO - Boac |
| Romblon |
LTO - Romblon DS |
Tabing Dagat (Pob.), Odiongan, Romblon |
0425675199 |
LTO - Romblon |
| Palawan |
LTO - Palawan DS |
Valencia St., San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City (Capital), Palawan |
0484340562 |
LTO - Palawan |
| Occidental Mindoro |
LTO - San Jose DS |
Municipal Compound, Barangay 7 (Pob.), San Jose, Occidental Mindoro |
09083305768 |
LTO - San Jose |
| Occidental Mindoro |
LTO - Sablayan DS |
Tuburan Poblacion (Lumangbayan), Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro |
09207889419 |
LTO - Sablayan |
| Occidental Mindoro |
LTO - Mamburao DS |
Payompon, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro |
09157552968 |
LTO - Mamburao |
Region 5
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Albay |
LTO - R5 DEC |
Legazpi City (Capital), Albay |
09954977825 |
LTO - R5 |
| Albay |
LTO - Ligao DEC |
LTO Ligao Zone 4, Ligao, Albay |
7420872 |
LTO - Ligao |
| Albay |
LTO - Tabaco DEC |
Bldg. Pawa Quinale, Cabasan (Pob.), Tabaco, Albay |
7420872 |
LTO - Tabaco |
| Camarines Sur |
LTO - Iriga DEC |
Bldg. Iriga, Iriga City, Camarines Sur |
7420872 |
LTO - Iriga |
| Camarines Sur |
LTO - Ragay DEC |
Andaya Highway, Banga Caves Ragay, Camarines Sur |
7420872 |
LTO - Ragay |
| Camarines Norte |
LTO - Daet DEC |
San Gregorio Village, Mancruz, Daet, Camarines Norte |
7420872 |
LTO - Daet |
| Camarines Sur |
LTO - Naga DEC |
Lcc Mall Compound, Sabang, Naga City, Camarines Sur |
7420872 |
LTO - Naga |
| Albay |
LTO - Legazpi DEC |
Bgy. 27 - Victory Village, South (Pob.), Legazpi City, Albay |
7420872 |
LTO - Legazpi |
| Sorsogon |
LTO - Irosin DEC |
Bldg. Poblacion, San Julian (Pob.), Irosin Sorsogon |
7420872 |
LTO - Irosin |
| Camarines Sur |
LTO - Partido DEC |
Bldg., Fuentabella Highway, Tigaon, Camarines Sur |
7420872 |
LTO - Partido |
| Camarines Sur |
LTO - Pamplona DEC |
Bldg. St. Del Rosario, Pamplona, Camarines Sur |
7420872 |
LTO - Pamplona |
| Camarines Norte |
LTO - E-Patrol DEC |
Bldg. St. Poblacion, Talisay, Camarines Norte |
7420872 |
LTO - E-Patrol |
| Sorsogon |
LTO - Sorsogon DEC |
Cabid-an, Sorsogon (Capital), Sorsogon |
7420872 |
LTO - Sorsogon |
| Catanduanes |
LTO - Virac DEC |
San Isidro Village, Virac (Capital), Catanduanes |
7420872 |
LTO - Virac |
| Masbate |
LTO - Masbate DEC |
LTO Masbate, Airport Rd., Masbate, Masbate |
09107799580 |
LTO - Masbate |
Region 6
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Iloilo |
LTO - Iloilo DEC |
Quintin Salas, Iloilo City, Iloilo |
09398725995 |
LTO - Iloilo |
| Negros Occidental |
LTO - Neg. Occ. DEC |
Cottage Rd., Bacolod City, Negros Occidenta |
09610517430 |
LTO - Neg. Occ. |
Region 7
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Cebu |
LTO - R7 DEC |
N. Bacalso Avenue, Pahina Central, Cebu City, Cebu |
0923726363 |
LTO - Cebu |
Region 8
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Leyte |
LTO - Tacloban DEC |
Army Rd., Brgy. 2, Tacloban City |
09338295421 |
LTO - R8 |
| Biliran |
LTO - Naval DEC |
Calumpang, Naval, Biliran |
09777914349 |
LTO - Naval |
| Leyte |
LTO - Ormoc DEC |
Ormoc City, Leyte |
09165140952 |
LTO - Ormoc |
| Samar |
LTO - Calbayog DEC |
JD Avelino St., Calbayog City, Samar |
09173112653 |
LTO - Calbayog |
| Leyte |
LTO - Carigara DEC |
Makabenta St., Ponong (Pob.), Carigara, Leyte |
09562362273 |
LTO - Carigara |
Region 9
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Zamboanga del Sur |
LTO - Zamboanga DEC |
Veterans Ave., Santa Barbara, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur |
09051551559 |
LTO - R9 |
| Zamboanga Sibugay |
LTO - Ipil DEC |
Poblacion, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay |
09051551559 |
LTO - Ipil |
| Zamboanga del Sur |
LTO - Pagadian DEC |
Tiguma HIghway, Tiguma, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur |
09051551559 |
LTO - Pagadian |
| Zamboanga del Norte |
LTO - Dipolog DEC |
Turno, Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte |
09051551559 |
LTO - Dipolog |
| Zamboanga del Sur |
LTO - Region 9 |
LTO Regional Office 9, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur |
09266401111 |
LTO - R9 |
Region 10
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Misamis Oriental |
LTO - CDEO District |
MVIS Compound, Zone 7 Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental |
09051551559 |
LTO - R10 |
Region 11
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Davao del Norte |
LTO - Panabo DEC |
J.P. Laurel, Panabo, Davao del Norte |
09285212630 |
LTO - R11 Panabo |
| Davao del Norte |
LTO - Tagum DEC |
Provincial Government Center, Tagum City, Davao del Norte |
0842166516 |
LTO - Tagum |
| Davao del Sur |
LTO - DLRO Buhangin |
Cabantian, Davao City, Davao del Sur |
09338799769 |
LTO - Buhangin |
| Davao del Sur |
LTO - DLRO Toril |
Felcris Supermarket, Toril, Davao City, Davao del Sur |
- |
LTO - Felcris Toril |
| Davao del Sur |
LTO - Metro Davao |
LTO MVIS Compound, Quimpo Blvd., Davao City, Davao del Sur |
09201144675 |
LTO - Davao City |
| Davao Oriental |
LTO - Mati |
Gov't Center - Dahican, Mati, Davao Oriental |
09460391168 |
LTO - Mati |
Region 12
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| South Cotabato |
LTO - R12 Main DEC |
Sta. Cruz, Koronadal, South Cotabato |
09174952000 |
LTO - R12 |
National Capital Region (NCR)
| City |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Las Piñas |
LTO - NCR West DEC (Las Piñas) |
Talon Uno, Las Piñas City |
- |
LTO - NCR |
| Pasay |
LTO - NCR West DEC (Pasay) |
Domestic Rd., Pasay City |
- |
LTO - NCR |
| Quezon City |
LTO - NCR West DEC |
Matalahib, Quezon City |
09356831967 |
LTO - NCR |
| Quezon City |
LTO - NCR RDEC (Quezon City Licensing Center) |
East Avenue, Pinyahan, Quezon City |
09356831967 |
LTO - NCR East |
| Quezon City |
LTO - NCR RDEC |
East Avenue, Pinyahan, Quezon City |
09356831967 |
LTO - NCR East |
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Benguet |
LTO - CAR DEC |
YMCA Bldg., Upper Session Rd., Baguio City |
0744231662 |
LTO - CAR |
Caraga Region
| Province |
Name |
Address |
Contact No. |
FB Page |
| Agusan del Norte |
LTO 13 - Butuan City DEC |
Dagohoy Pob., Butuan City, Agusan del Norte |
09983481292 |
LTO - Caraga |
How much is a theoretical driving course?
If you plan to take your Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) in a driving school that is accredited by the LTO, the fee will vary and may cost you more than P1,500.00. Meanwhile, there is no charge if you attend the LTO Drivers Education Center's FREE 15-hour lecture.
Can I get a student permit without a Theoretical Driving Course?
No, you can't get a Student-Driver's Permit unless you have completed a Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificate. It is one of the primary requirements for those obtaining their driver's license for the first time.
Aside from that, those seeking a student permit must provide a medical certificate, live birth, and other documents as specified by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Conclusion
To ensure a safe road for drivers, commuters, and others, it's an excellent idea for the Land Transportation Office and the Philippine government to have a stricter process and several courses for an individual to get their driver's license.
The Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) is beneficial because it teaches an applicant for a Student's permit to be safe on the road by adhering to traffic rules and regulations. —iTacloban
