Penalties of Driving Without a License

Just today, February 6, 2014, Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III renews his driver's license, two days before he turns 54, at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tayuman, Manila (Sourced from Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines webpage, February 6, 2014).

The act of our President only shows that everybody is ought to have a driver's license and also to have it renewed.  No one is above the law.  Thus, even if he already occupies the highest position of the land, it does not mean that he is exempt from complying the laws.

Hence, if the President possesses the necessary driver's license and sees to it that the same is renewed, the more that ordinary citizens of this country do the same.

What are the types of driver's license in the Philippines?

According to this site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver%27s_license_in_the_Philippines we have three types of driver's license in the Philippines.  These are:

1.  Student Permit  

2.  Non-Professional Driver's License

3.  Professional Driver's License

The minimum age for driving in the Philippines is 16 years old provided that they must have a student permit and must be accompanied by a person with valid driver's license.

An applicant can only apply for a Non-Professional Driver's License one month after acquiring a "Student Permit" and 6 months after for a Professional Driver's License.

An applicant must both pass the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Written Exam and Driving Exam before being granted with a Non-Professional Driver's License.  If the applicant fails the tests, the applicant should wait for another month before being able to take the tests again.

You must present the Official Receipt (Blue Paper) when applying for a Non-Professional or Professional driver's license.

Age Requirements for licenses:

• 1) Student Permit - Must be at least 16 years old
• 2) Non-Professional - Must be at least 17 years old
• 3) Professional - Must be at least 18 years old

Restrictions:

• Restriction 1 - Motorcycles/Motorized Tricycles
• Restriction 2 - Vehicle up to 4500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight
• Restriction 3 - Vehicle above 4500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight
• Restriction 4 - Automatic Clutch up to 4500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight
• Restriction 5 - Automatic Clutch above 4500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight
• Restriction 6 - Articulated Vehicle 1600 kg Gross Vehicle Weight & Below
• Restriction 7 - Articulated Vehicle 1601 kg up to 4500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight
• Restriction 8 - Articulated Vehicle 4501 kg & above Gross Vehicle Weight

Note: Restrictions 1, 2, & 4 only for Non-professional driver's license.

What are the penalties for driving without the necessary driver's license or with an expired driver's license?

According to www.lto.gov.ph, the following are the fines and penalties to be imposed in connection to a driver's license. 

Violations in Connection with Licensing
1. Driving without License	1,500.00
2. Driving without delinquent of expired license	400.00
3. Driving with suspended or revoked or improper license	1,000.00
4. Failure to carry Driver’s License	200.00
5. Failure to sign Driver’s License	200.00
6. Driving under the influence of liquor.	5,000.00
and two (2) months suspension of driver’s license	5,000.00
for the 2nd offense and three (3) months suspension of driver’s license	6,000.00
for subsequent violations after the 2nd offense and six months suspension of driver’s license; after 3rd offense automatic revocation of driver’s license	7,000.00
7. Driving under the influence of drugs	10,000.00
8. Allowing an unlicensed/improperly licensed person to drive motor vehicle.	1,000.00
suspension of plates, registrations and Driver’s License for 2 months
9. Possession and use of fake/spurious Driver’s License	2,000.00
if the drivers has been issued an authentic license, it shall be suspended for 1 year in addition to the fine
if the driver has not been issued an authentic license, he shall be disqualified, to secure a Driver’s License for a period of two (2) years.
10. Conviction of the driver of a crime using a motor vehicle	3,000.00
11. Student driver operating a MV without being accompanied by a Licensed driver	500.00
12. Unlicensed conductor of a motor vehicle for hire	500.00
13. Operating / driving a motor vehicle which is unregistered / improperly Registered
if committed by the driver without the knowledge and Consent of the owner/operator	2,000.00
if the driver is also the processor of the subject motor vehicle	4,000.00
in both cases the motor vehicle shall be impounded or the plates if any shall be confiscated and shall not be released until properly registered.
14. Operating a motor vehicle with unregistered substitute or replacement engine, engine block or chassis	5,000.00
the subject MV shall be impounded until such parts are properly registered
15. Failure to carry certificate of registration or official receipt of registration	150.00
16. Operating /allowing the operation of MV with a suspended / revoked Certificate/Official Receipt of registration.	1,000.00
the subject MV shall be impounded and its plate held during the suspension
in addition to the original suspension the said MV and plates shall further be suspended for two (2) years.
17. Tourist operating or allowing the use of non Philippine registered Motor Vehicle beyond the 90 day period of his sojourn in the country.	5,000.00

So, to avoid the hassle of facing penalties and paying fines, we have to do on what has been expected of us.