An Expat’s Guide to Driving Schools in the Philippines

Looking to take to the roads of the Philippines? Then it’s time to find a driving school!

The good news is, learning how to drive in the Philippines isn’t that hard. While other countries have made the licensing process notoriously difficult, the Philippines LTO (Land Transportation Office) has made theirs not nearly as rigorous. 

This expat guide provides an overview of the different driving schools in the Philippines and what they can offer. We’ll even cover online classes and motorcycle driving schools, laying out everything you need on the table. 

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Why Learn to Drive Through a Driving School

Expats are adventurous and curious — that’s why I moved here in the first place! And for the longest time, I endured outrageous cab fares and long jeepney rides just to travel. But once I had a family, there was just no way around it. I needed to get my license and buy a car.

If you’re an expat, you’ll want maximum independence and mobility. Driving your own car lets you travel conveniently, explore, and not depend on public transit or ride-hailing apps. 

While navigating the city during non-peak hours is simple enough, the struggle is very real during peak hours (4:30 PM – 6:00 PM). With long wait times for sardine can-tight jeepneys and buses or expensive ride-hailing fares, the grind will slowly but surely drain your energy. 

Now that I’ve said my piece, let’s discuss the benefits of signing up for a driving school:

Learn From Certified Driving Instructors

While you could learn how to drive from a family member or friend, this isn’t always recommended. A professional instructor will teach you the fundamentals in a safer, more comprehensive way. They can also quickly correct any poor driving habits you may have.

Learn the Rules of the Road via a TDC

You’ll first be required to take the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and pass the exam before taking the practical exam.  

The TDC is provided by driving schools and LTO Driving Education Centers, where you’ll learn all the necessary driving laws i.e Anti-Distracted Driving Act and transportation coding, along with more general rules such as understanding speed limits, efficient lane changing, and other basic driving skills.

Structured Courses to Streamline the Driving Process

Whether you do an 8 or 15-hour course, driving schools provide a structured plan to accelerate the learning process. This enables students to learn gradually and more efficiently. Contrast this to a relative insisting you immediately drive on the freeway and the difference is night and day.

Courses are also diverse, catering to your experience level. There are courses for absolute beginners, refresher courses, and advanced driving courses.

You’ll Adopt a Safety-first Mentality

Many driving schools incorporate defensive driving techniques into their courses. This safety-first approach to driving helps drivers anticipate and react quickly to standard, abnormal, or hazardous situations. Furthermore, you’ll learn all safety protocols for passengers and pedestrians.

Safer Than Learning from Friends and Family

It’s one thing knowing how to drive and another teaching someone to drive. Teaching goes beyond the technical aspects of driving, as being patient and understanding are important too. Furthermore, if your friend is not up to date on the LTO requirements, you could end up in trouble. 

In addition to professionals teaching you the correct way, they can also better recognize when you’re ready for the open road. With family and friends, it’s too easy to assume you are ready even if you aren’t.

Driving Schools Assist You in Getting Your Driving License

Many driving schools assist with the LTO application process. This could be from lending a vehicle for your driving test to helping you obtain your student permit and driving license. Just be sure to confirm with the school before enrolling in a course.

Driving Curriculum

Regardless of which driving school you sign up with, the driving curriculum proceeds in the same way.  

The course is set rigorously by LTO (Land Transportation Office) and all driving schools are expected to follow these steps and curriculum strictly. So in terms of options, there is none. It’s going to be the same material provided by LTO whichever school you will go to.

For example, the TDC will always be 15 hours whether you learn at LTO or at the driving school.

Theoretical Driving Course (TDC)

You can take the theoretical driving course (TDC) at a LTO-accredited driving school. 

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They provide materials and classrooms for lectures. Many schools also offer online courses where you can learn at your own pace. 

The course is pretty extensive, taking 15 hours to complete and covering topics to help you understand road signs, rules, and regulations for driving in the Philippines including::

• Road signs and markings, traffic regulations, and road courtesy
• Laws and directives created by the LTO
• How the LTO (Land Transportation Office) works and its evolution over time
• How automotive parts and accessories operate
• How to safely check a vehicle for any mechanical defects
• The steps necessary to obtain your driver’s license

Price

You should expect to pay around ₱2,000 (around $36.72) to take their TDC at the driving school. 

Why Take the TDC With a Driving School

You’re probably wondering why to take the TDC with a driving school if it’s available at the LTO for free. 

Let’s go through some benefits of taking the TDC with a driving school:

No Waiting in Line

As TDCs are free with LTO driver’s education centers and in high demand, it can take weeks to secure a slot. You’ll also need to go to the site to register, which can be inconvenient if you don’t live nearby. 

Driving school courses, meanwhile, can be booked online at your convenience with minimal waiting times. 

Online Classes are Available

Many driving schools offer TDC online classes for individuals unable to attend physical classes. Online classes consist of modules and quizzes related to the TDC that can be completed at your own pace.

Written Examination

After you complete the TDC course from the driving school, they will help you arrange a written examination at the LTO office.

You’ll need to pay an examination fee of ₱167.63 (around $3), which can be paid directly at the LTO office before taking the test. 

The exam is multiple choice, with 40 items for non-professional and 60 for professional exams. You’ll need to get at least a 75% score to pass either. 

In the exam itself, you’ll be tested on your knowledge of the following:

• Parking rules and restrictions
• Proper road positioning
• What to do in case of an emergency
• Consequences of violating traffic laws
• General driving understanding and so on

If you fail, which many do, you can retake the written exam one month later. However, failing a second time means waiting an entire year to retake the test — not good!

Once you’ve passed a written examination, you’ll receive a student permit on the same day.

You will also get a paper copy of Certificate of Completion. We recommend photocopying it as a backup.

Practical Driving Course (PDC)

At the driving school, you can take a practical driving course, which is required to get a driver’s license in the Philippines.

The practical driving course teaches you how to drive in different scenarios, including basic driving, reverse parking, three-point turns, and much more, which will help you pass a driving license. 

There are many driving course packages available, ranging from manual to automatic vehicles, and even offer an Advanced course that covers more advanced techniques. 

How Many Hours Should I Take? 

Driving schools have different packages and driving hours. A-1 Driving School, for example, offers more extensive packages with longer training times:

• Beginner: 20-30 Hours
• Intermediate: 10-15 Hours 
• Refresher: 8 Hours 

If you are new to driving, it’s recommended to take a 20-30 hour driving course from a driving school, as it will help you have all the skills required to pass the driving examination. 

If you know how to drive, you can take an 8-hour refresher course. 

Price

You should expect to pay around  ₱2,500 to ₱8,000 (around $46 to $147) for the practical driving course. 

Optional Private Driving Lessons with a License Holder

Many expats familiarize themselves, first, with the local roads before enrolling in a driving school. If you’re in the same boat, you could ask a license holder from the driving school to join you for a few private lessons. 

Ideally, you’ll want to master the basics in less-populated areas first. These places typically include subdivisions, provinces, and even Metro Manila’s outskirts. 

Because fewer cars are on the road, it’ll be easier for you to practice and get used to the driving environment.

Once you’re comfortable, you can move up to busier public roads. However, try to avoid congested areas at peak times i.e. Edsa or Quiapo, as these places can be time wasters for novice drivers. You’ll also want to find spacious roads, as the city has narrow streets full of illegally parked vehicles.

Remember, even with a student permit, you’re still not allowed to drive alone. You must have a license holder accompany you at all times. 

What are Driving Instructors Like in the Philippines?

Ordinarily, professional driving instructors are what you’d expect: kind, patient, and knowledgeable about driving. However, some have their teaching style, with many expats describing their teachers as strict but fair and others as more relaxed. It’s even fairly normal for teachers to yell at their students if mistakes are made, but this isn’t always the case.

Unfortunately, some instructors will ask for bribes to ask for ‘tips’. Many expats have mentioned instructors giving their unfortunate life stories to guilt them into giving a tip, which is unacceptable. If you find yourself in this situation, tell your driving school immediately and switch instructors. Unfortunately, expats are particularly susceptible to this kind of behavior due to their perceived wealth — always stand your ground and politely refuse.

To get a better sense of the instructor’s teaching style, ask your driving school or get a referral from another ex-pat to get a reliable instructor.

Driving Schools in the Philippines By Region

As mentioned, driving schools vary in different ways. From the packages they offer to their prices, you’ll have to compare a few schools before you settle on one. Let’s take a look at some popular driving schools, by area. 

Cebu City

A&A Driving School

A&A driving school is exclusive to Cebu and renowned for its safety-first approach and customer service. It’s got a few stand-out features, such as their pickup and drop-off free services and assistance in LTO paperwork.

The school also has a solid social media presence and ratings. They have 902 reviews with an average of 4.9/5 stars with positive feedback from their students. As they’re so popular, there’s even a waiting list for the courses.

Here, students can learn how to drive automatically, manually, or even both. Combo packages are available, and the instructors are certified by the LTO.

• Location: V.Rama Ave, Cebu City
• Course prices: ₱3,000 to ₱5,500 (around $55 to $92)

Best Driving School

Since its launch in 2007, Best Driving School has become one of the best-rated schools in Cebu. Its qualified trainers have taught thousands of drivers, with their founder Mr. Legados being a TESDA-certified trainer and assessor himself.

What makes this school stand out is its customizability. Vehicle options are plentiful, allowing students to learn in up-to-date models, with the choice of manual and automatic transmissions. Courses are also diverse, ranging from long drive sessions that last up to 4 hours to a tandem course that involves two drivers in the same car.

Location: Dona Esperanza Subd. Katipunan St, Cebu City

Course prices:

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• 10-hour course – ₱5,000 to ₱6,200 (around $92 to $114)
• 20-hour course – ₱9,800 to ₱11,800 (around $180 to $217)
• Customized course – ₱650 to ₱750 per hour ($12 to $14)

Alright Driving School

Like A&A Driving school, Alright Driving School takes a safety-first driving approach. Its primary focus is to teach defensive driving techniques, i.e. how to observe, anticipate and react to other drivers’ actions. While course choices aren’t as packed as the first two, its affordable prices and patient instructors make up for it.

• Location: Ybanez Compound Road, Cebu City
• Course price: ₱4,200 to ₱5,200 ($77 to $95)
• Price per session: ₱1,000 to ₱1,200 ($18 to $22)

Davao City

A1 Driving

A1 Driving School is a multi-branch driving school, featuring 80 branches across the country. Courses are unique, ranging from beginner programs to advanced safety classes for experienced drivers. They even have bus and truck courses, off-road and rural driving, and a refresher course for drivers who need to re-familiarize themselves with the road. 

Because of its variety of courses, A1 Driving School caters to new and experienced drivers.

Location: Ground Floor, 52 JM Building

Course prices:

• Premium Course – ₱3,200 (around $59)
• Executive Course – ₱6,400 (around $118)
• Rush Course – ₱4,200 (around $77)
• Training Center Course – ₱2,500 (around $46)
• Car Maintenance 101 – ₱800 ($15)

TeamAces Driving Academy

TeamAces Driving Academy is renowned for its streamlined booking system that lets students reserve and schedule online. They were also among the very first driving schools to offer online lectures.

Besides their convenient booking system, their courses are extensive and highly informative. You can try their Rush Course, which involves a 1-2 day class of straight driving, or their Executive Course. A combo course that trains students in both manual and automatic is also available. 

• Location: Aldor Dormitel, Veloso Street, Obrero, Davao City
• Course prices – ₱3,000 to ₱10,400 ($55 to $191)

Maneuver Driving Academy

Maneuver Driving School isn’t the biggest driving school in Davao City, but its affordability, professionalism, and commitment to teaching make it outstanding. Courses and vehicle choices are fairly slim pickings, as you’ll only find beginner and refresher courses with Sedan cars available.

If you want a no-frills driving school that emphasizes teaching quality, consider the Maneuver Driving School.

• Location: 104 McArthur Highway, Bangkal, Davao City
• 5 to 20-hour courses – ₱2,600 – ₱15,000 (around $48 – $276)

Marikina

Smart Driving School

Smart Driving School is one of the newer driving schools on the block, equipped with up-to-date facilities and vehicles. Combine this with receiving the Most Outstanding Driving and Training School award in 2017 and 2018, and you’ll know experience doesn’t always equal excellence. 

A significant factor that makes this school special is its assurances to new drivers. Their guidelines and philosophy ensure that every student passes their course and can shortly drive on the road with confidence. 

Their only drawback is that vehicle conditions may vary depending on the branch. Popular branches that accommodate more drivers are known to have worn-out cars than other less well-known branches. 

Students can expect to learn in the following vehicles: sedan cars, Toyota SUVs, and MPVs.

• Location: Marcos Highway, San Roque, Marikina City
• Course prices: ₱2,200 – ₱8,160 (around $40 – $150)

Makati

Prestige Driving School

Want to gauge your driving capabilities before you get out on the street? Prestige Driving School has the unique distinction of offering driving assessments that evaluate your driving skills. You take the test, and the school provides a full report card outlining areas that need improvement.

The driving school also features courses based on different vehicle models.

• Location: 4334 DAYAP ST, corner Filmore St, Makati, Metro Manila
• Course prices: ₱2,199 – ₱34,999 (around $40 – $640)

Socialites Driving Institute

Socialites Driving Institute was the first driving school in the Philippines, launched back in 1969. It offers a comprehensive range of driving courses, which include:

Rush course: 8-10 hours

Beginner course: 12-15 hours

Advanced course: 20-30 hours

Executive course

Online lecture

Classroom lecture

Vehicle types are also diverse, allowing students to ride and learn in a Sedan, MPV, SUV, and Pickup. 

• Location: Room 202 Jackson Building, Pasay Road corner Makati Ave., Makati City
• Course prices: ₱3,500 – ₱18,000 (around $64 to $331)

Universal Driving School

Universal Driving School lets you pay by the day if hourly pricing schemes aren’t your thing. Here, you’ll get a full education on driving, ranging from vehicle troubleshooting to road safety.

Unfortunately, the school could use more variety when it comes to courses. There are only beginner and refresher courses, unlike other schools which offer executive or long drive sessions.

Location: 31st Avenue cor. JP Rizal Extension East Rembo, Taguig

Course Prices:

• Beginner’s course (for 10 days) – ₱4,800 upwards (around $88)
• Beginners Course (for 15 days) – ₱7,200 upwards (around $132)
• Refresher Course (for 5 days) – ₱2,500 upwards (around $46)
• Refresher Course (for 7 days) – ₱3,400 upwards (around $62)

Quezon City

Xcel Driving School

Xcel Driving School is an institution that offers motorcycle courses as well as driving lessons. It has twelve branches, spanning Metro Manila and Rizal.

Driving courses range from 8 to 30 hours, covering topics such as mechanical operations, lane positioning, proper maneuvers, road safety, and more. Vehicle choices include a Sedan and SUV in both automatic and manual transmission.

Overall, there are four courses – Special, Rush, Xcel, and Executive. And if you feel you’re not being properly taught, the company even offers a money-back guarantee. It’s a great incentive for expats who need a little reassurance.

• Location: 71 Commonwealth Ave, East Fairview, Quezon City
• Course prices: ₱5,000 – ₱33,000 (around $92 – $606)

LDM Driving Institute

This driving school is brimming with positive reviews from Facebook and Google, averaging 4.9/5 and 5.0/5, respectively. They’re also on the cheaper side, fantastic for expats and locals alike.

Their courses at first glance appear fairly limited, with the company only advertising 8-hour packages. You’ll have to contact them directly if you need a more extended package. Vehicles on offer are Sedans, Innovas, and motorcycles.

A small red flag for expats is that their website is only in Tagalog. Although this doesn’t detract from their service quality, it might make interacting with instructors difficult if English isn’t their strong suit. Always ask for a bilingual instructor beforehand.

• Location: 1151 Quirino Hwy, Novaliches, Quezon City
• Price: $2,000 – $5,000 for 8 hours (around $38-$92)

Metro Manila

Metro Manila includes all of the above cities and many more. As such, nationwide schools like Smart Driving School and A1 Driving School have an even bigger presence here. You’ll have no shortage of pickings, as driving schools range from budget-friendly to more luxury options.

Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC)

The HSDC is one of the few driving schools nationwide that provide motorcycle training courses. There are two driving courses – beginner and refresher, which are available during the day and night. They also have seminar courses that teach pedestrian and road awareness.

Location: East Service Road, South Superhighway, Parañaque City

Other driving schools available in Manila include:

• A1 Driving School
• TeamAces Driving Academy 
• Maneuver Driving Academy 
• Smart Driving School
• Prestige Driving School
• Socialites Driving Institute
• Universal Driving School
• Xcel Driving School
• LDM Driving Institution

Online Driving Lessons

Philippine driving schools come in all shapes and sizes. Some keep their operations offline and traditional, while others use the internet to offer virtual classroom lessons. These are theoretical lessons for students wishing to pass the TDC.

For many expats, attending an (almost always) all-Filipino class can be a little intimidating. While they will teach in English, given their heavy accent and slang, it’s often difficult to understand. Furthermore, the class environment can be a little restrictive and boring.

Online driving classes offer greater flexibility; students can take the class when they’re free, from any location, and learn at their own pace. 

Courses are composed of 2D animation video lessons usually in Filipino or English (best to confirm this first!), and modules can be repeated multiple times. After passing numerous quizzes, you’ll be required to take a final assessment exam.

Overall, online courses last for 15 hours.

As mentioned, not every driving school will offer online classes, but here are some that do:

• Smart Driving School – ₱2,050.00 (around $38)
• a1 Driving School – ₱2,300 (around $42)
• Socialites – ₱2,150 (around $40)
• Xcel driving school – ₱1,500 (Promo rate) (around $28)
• Prestige Driving school – ₱1,500 (around $28)
• Ldm Driving Institute – At Least ₱700 (around $13)

Motorcycle Driving Lessons in the Philippines

Motorcycles are awesome. You can breeze through traffic, get to your destination quickly and save on fuel. I always see it – motorcyclists whizzing past cars and navigating busy roads.

But, before you take to the streets, know that motorcycles offer a whole new set of rules regarding safety and driving. You’ll need an extra dose of caution and attentiveness, as you won’t have the luxury of a car’s body to protect you.

Like their driving counterparts, motorcycle courses have a set number of hours. For example, the Honda Safety Driving Center offers two courses that last three days and 1 1/2 day. You’ll then be required to undergo a riding skill assessment, which needs to be passed to get your Certificate of Completion.

Here’s what you can expect from a beginners motorcycle training course:

Day 1 – Automatic Driving

• Lecture discussing road safety and the components of a motorcycle
• A practical lesson where you’ll learn braking and throttle control

Day 2 -Semi-automatic driving

• Lecture about on-road techniques and tips i.e., what to do if you lose control of your bike
• A practical lesson where you’ll learn how to use the gear shifter

Day 3 – Manual driving on track

• Essential to advanced riding fundamentals such as parking, clutch control, static shifting, etc
• A practical lesson where you’ll apply these skills on a track

Day 4 – Manual driving on track

Complete all aspects of the training circuit, including riding through:

• A slalom
• Slow-speed sections
• Uphill and downhill sections, etc

List of Motorcycle Schools

Unfortunately, not all driving schools have access to their own tracks. However, there are standalone schools that cater to motorcyclists who want to learn the ropes.

Some of the most popular driving and standalone motorcycle schools include:

Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC)

• 1 1/2 days training – ₱4,600 (around $85)
• 3 days of training – ₱3,000 (around $55)

Smart Driving School

• 8-hour class – ₱3,000 (around $55)
• 20-hour class – ₱ 7,500 (around $138)

Xcel Driving School

• Beginners course 10 hours – ₱4,000 (around $73)
• Beginners course 20 hours – ₱7,000 (around $129)
• Refreshers course 8 hours – ₱2,500 (around $46)

EZ Auto Motorcycle Driving School 

• 8-hour class – ₱2,300 (around $42)

According to yoys.ph, an aggregator that lists different businesses, there are 296 motorcycle schools in the Philippines. As schools in less developed areas may need a more substantial online presence, it’s best to personally search for schools in your area. 

With that, you should be ready to hop on a motorbike and take the streets by storm!

Now, On to You

If you’re growing weary of public transportation, it’s time to learn how to drive. 

It can be scary, especially when you see others drive recklessly, but know that you can do it. And bad driving isn’t exclusive to Metro Manila, but other congested areas like Cebu City and Baguio City.

For expats who aren’t fluent or even familiar with the language, always ask for an instructor that speaks good English. You want to avoid being in a situation where you don’t understand the instructions or, worse yet, get into an accident due to miscommunication – “is diretso right or left?!”.

So get a license, buckle up, and go explore!