Transport or Bus Conductors, like drivers, are required to secure a Conductor’s License (CL). It is a type of license released by the Land Transportation Authority (LTO) to bus conductors as proof that they have the necessary skills and qualifications to work and assist the drivers of buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Also Read: LTMS 101: How to Register LTO Online Portal
Though not many know about it, the need for a Conductor’s License in the Philippines is mandated by the law. It was explicitly stated in Section 32 of Republic Act 4136, also known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code.”
What is a Conductor’s License (CL)?
A Conductor’s License is a type of license or permit released to bus conductors only. This is issued by the Land Transportation Authority (LTO) under the mandate of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
Under the law, all bus or transport conductors must secure the license from the Bureau to verify that they are qualified to assist the driver in fare collection, checking and issuing tickets, and in ensuring the safety of the passengers and cargo before they can be employed by any public service operator. The law also explicitly states that it is the conductors who are liable for any form of violation regarding overloading of passengers or freight or cargo beyond its registered carrying capacity.
Some of the other responsibilities that licensed transport conductors are expected to carry out include:
- collecting and issuing tickets, passes or fares
- checking the validity of issued tickets
- attending to the passengers
providing assistance regarding boarding, seating and luggage particularly to the elderly, sick, disabled, or injured passengers; - opening and closing doors for passengers;
- performing safety checks prior to departure
- signaling to drivers to stop or proceed when passengers disembark
- greeting passengers, checking boarding transportation equipment, and announcing routes and stops
ensuring that safety regulations are observed - responding to passengers requests and complaints; and
- taking charge of appropriate actions in cases of emergencies or accidents
Much like a professional Driver’s License, the Conductor’s License is issued to qualified conductors who successfully completed the 20- instead of 60-item written assessment and the orientation or enhancement program, regardless of whether he can or cannot drive. The guidelines and procedures for the issuance of the Conductor’s License are governed by the Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations as provisioned by RA 10930.
Also Read: LTO Extends Validity of Expiring Driver’s Licenses
With a valid conductor’s license on hand, an individual may secure work under the following capacities:
- Bus conductor
- Bus inspector
- Cable car conductor
- Passenger car conductor
- Railway passenger train guard
- Road freight conductor
- Ticket inspector (public transport)
- Train conductor
- Transport conductor
Validity of the LTO-issued Conductor’s License
A new LTO-issued Conductor’s License (CL) is valid for a maximum of five (5) years until the fifth birthday since the license was released, unless sooner revoked or suspended. A holder of a Conductor’s License who has not committed any violation/s during the five (5) year period preceding its expiration shall be entitled to renewal of the same license with a validity period of ten (10) years.
Fees or Costs of a Conductor’s License
Regular fees:
License/ Permit fees: Php 585.00
Application Fee: Php 100.00
Computer Fee: Php 67.63
Overall Total: Php 752.63
Additional Penalty fees:
Expired for one (1) day up to one (1) year: Php 75.00
Expired for more than one (1) year up to two (2) years: Php 150.00
Expired for more than two (2) years: Php 225.00
For On-time Renewal: Applicants only need to pay the license and (1) one computer fee
For those with 1-day to 2 years expired licenses: They need to pay the license, penalty, and (1) one computer fee
For Re-examinees: They need to pay the application, license, penalty and (2) two computer fees.
Other fees:
Replacement Fee: Php 225.00
Certification Fee: Php 100.00
Clearance Fee: Php 30.00
Duplicate Fee: Php 50.00
Revision of Records: Php 100.00
Qualifications
As per RA 10930, obtaining a Conductor’s License (CL) requires applicants to satisfy the following qualifications at the very least:
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years old;
- Must be physically and mentally fit to work
- Must not have any contagious diseases;
- Must be able to read and write in Filipino and/or English, or any major dialect;
- Must not have any unsettled traffic violation;
- Must not be a drug user or alcoholic
Must be clean, neat, and presentable - For new applications and those with dormant license (who has not renewed their CL for over two (2) years): Must have attended and passed the theoretical examination from either the LTO Driver’s Education Center, the LTO-accredited Driving School, or the LTO Accredited Tesda Training Center
- For those seeking to renew the five (5) year Conductor’s License for the first time: Must have completed the Conductor’s Enhancement Program (CEP) prior to application
- For those seeking to renew their Conductor’s License with Examination [Expired for more than two (2) years] and/or with five (5) to nine (9) Demerit Points: Must have completed the Conductor’s Re-orientation Course
- For those seeking to renew their Conductor’s License with Examination [Expired for more than two (2) years] and/or with ten (10) or more but less than forty (40) Demerit Points: Must have completed the Conductor’s Re-orientation Course and passed the Theoretical Examination
Also Read: Applicants to Submit Medical Certificates thru LTO Online Only
Requirements
Application for a Conductor’s license in the Philippines require the applicants to secure, present, and submit the following documentary requirements:
- Duly-accomplished Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) Form
For New Conductor’s License Application
- Electronically-transmitted medical certificate from any of the LTO-accredited medical clinic nationwide (One (1) photocopy and presentation of the original medical certificate)
- Presentation of the original and submission of one (1) photocopy of any of the following proof of identification:
- PSA Birth Certificate
- Philippine Identification Card
- Passport
- PSA Certificate of Marriage for married women
- Any of the following clearances:
- NBI Clearance
- Police Clearance
- Court Clearance
- Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)
For those Intending to Change their Civil Status
- PSA-Authenticated Marriage Contract
For those who need a Change of Address
- Barangay Clearance, with the applicant’s complete address
- Proof of billing statement
For Changes in any Other Personal Details
- Presentation of the original and submission of one (1) photocopy of any of the following proof of identification:
- PSA Birth Certificate
- Philippine Identification Card
- Passport
For Lost or Mutilated Conductor’s License
- Affidavit of Loss
- Proof of the mutilated license (if available)
For Advanced Renewal
- Electronically Transmitted Certificate of Completion of Conductor’s Enhancement Program (CEP) for the initial renewal of DL with five (5) years validity
- Presentation of original Conductor’s License
- Submission of Certificate of Completion of Conductor’s Re-orientation Course for applicants with five (5) to nine (9) demerit points
- Plane ticket
For OFWs and Filipinos Living Abroad
- Presentation of one (1) photocopy of passport (first page, visa page, and departure from the Philippines and latest arrival overseas)
- Presentation of original Letter of Authority if sending an authorized representative
- Submission of Certificate of Completion of Conductor’s Re-orientation Course for applicants with five (5) to nine (9) demerit points
For Renewal of Expired Conductor’s License with five (5) to nine (9) Demerit Points
- Certificate of Completion of Conductor’s Re-orientation Course
For Renewal of Expired Conductor’s License with ten (10) or more Demerit Points
- Certificate of completion of Conductor’s Re-orientation Course
- Proof of completion of Automated Theoretical Examination
Note: In areas where no PSA branches or offices are available, applicants may present the original and photocopy of their birth certificate validated by the Office of the Local Civil Registry with attached Official Receipt.
Step-by-step Procedure in Applying for a Conductor’s License
Applying for a Conductor’s License is done via the Land Transportation Office (LTO), whether it’s online or otherwise.
If you are interested in securing one, here are the steps that you should follow:
In-Person
- Visit your preferred LTO licensing office near you.
- Proceed to the Customer Service Counter and have your documents checked for completeness
- Secure a Conductor’s License Application Form.
- Secure a queue number and wait for your turn.
- When your number is called, proceed to the transaction counters.
- Submit the application form along with all your documentary requirements to the Evaluator.
- Wait for your turn and proceed to the Phototaking/Signature Area to have your picture and signature taken.
- Proceed to the Cashier when your name is called to pay the application fee and keep the Official Receipt (OR).
- Proceed to the Testing Area and present the Official Receipt (OR) to take the written exam.
- After passing the written exam, proceed to the Cashier when your name is called and pay the necessary fees for the license. Keep the Official Receipt (OR).
- Proceed to the Releasing Counter, present the Official Receipt and claim the temporary license or card type license.
Online
Application for and Renewal of the LTO Conductor’s License (CL) may also be done online through the LTMS portal (portal.lto.gov.ph). The Conductor’s License must be claimed at the chosen LTO Office though.
To apply for a conductor’s license online, simply follow these steps:
- Register at the Land Transportation Management System (LTO-LTMS) portal.
- Click the ‘Register’ tab at the top of the LTMS homepage.
- When prompted for your license/serial number, click No.
- Enter your basic personal information like your name, address, contact information, and date of birth.
- Once completed, verify your LTO LTMS account using the verification link sent to the e-mail address you provided within 24 hours.
- You will be prompted to create your password.
- Once registered, sign in to your account using your new password.
- Once logged in, select ‘Licensing’ on the LTMS dashboard to access the online license application portal.
- Complete the online licensing application form, especially the fields with red marks as they are vital in your application including the following:
- educational attainment
- place of birth
- eye color
- height
- weight
- emergency contact person, and
- complete address
- Once done, click ‘Apply Changes.’
- You’ll be redirected to the dashboard so you will need to click ‘Licensing’ again.
- Read and accept the LTMS’ Terms of Use.
- Once done, you will need to select the appropriate details, including:
- Type of license (Conductor’s License);
- Type of application (New Application, Renewal, Revision of Records, Replacement, etc.); and
- The preferred appointment schedule and LTO office.
Note that in the event of dormant licenses or those that have not been renewed for two (2) or more years, you will need to follow the same procedure to secure a Conductor’s License (CL).
Also Read: LTMS 101: How to Register LTO Online Portal
Important Reminders
Here are some important reminders that those who are seeking to secure an LTO-issued Conductor’s License needs to remember:
- A Conductor’s License (CL) is a document required by the LTO before an individual can legally work as a bus conductor in the Philippines.
- The first Conductor’s License issued during new applications has a validity period of three (3) or five (5) years.
- Renewal may result in the issuance of a Conductor’s License with a five- or ten-year validity.
- Even dormant licenses can be renewed in person or online via the LTO LTMS.
- The process of securing a Conductor’s License is almost the same as the application for a Professional Driver’s License.
- Those who will be applying the conductor’s license but still hold the 3-year validity license cards, are required to personally appear at the chosen LTO Office to undergo the biometric capturing process as part of the requirements for the printing of the 5-year validity license cards.
Renewal of Driver’s and Conductor’s License in Video
If the guide seems too complicated, you may opt to watch the simplified version of the step-by-step procedure in renewing a driver’s or conductor’s license, as shown by Youtube vlogger Christine Diane.
Watch her talk about the renewal process in this video below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions and answers regarding the Conductor’s License.
1. Where can I find the Conductor’s License number?
If you have a Conductor’s License already, then this is the same as the serial number on your ID. If you don’t have one yet, then you’d want to skip this portion when registering online for an LTO LTMS account.
2. How much does it cost to get a Conductor’s License in the Philippines?
Depending upon whether you are a first-time applicant or a re-examinee or are simply seeking for a renewal or a replacement of your conductor’s license, these are the fees associated with securing one:
Regular fees:
License/ Permit fees: Php 585.00
Application Fee: Php 100.00
Computer Fee: Php 67.63
Overall Total: Php 752.63
Additional Penalty fees:
Expired for one (1) day up to one (1) year: Php 75.00
Expired for more than one (1) year up to two (2) years: Php 150.00
Expired for more than two (2) years: Php 225.00
For On-time Renewal: Applicants only need to pay the license and (1) one computer fee
For those with 1-day to 2 years expired licenses: They need to pay the license, penalty, and (1) one computer fee
For Re-examinees: They need to pay the application, license, penalty and (2) two computer fees.
Other fees:
Replacement Fee: Php 225.00
Certification Fee: Php 100.00
Clearance Fee: Php 30.00
Duplicate Fee: Php 50.00
Revision of Records: Php 100.00
3. Can I use the LTO-issued Conductor’s License in lieu of a Driver’s License?
No. Conductor’s License is exclusively for bus conductors. It differs from a Driver’s License and cannot be used as such. Having said though these two are issued by the same regulatory body, LTO, they have very different purposes and cannot be used interchangeably.
4. Do I need to enroll or complete a seminar at a driving school to get a Conductor’s License?
Yes. First time renewal of the five-year Conductor’s License will need to complete and secure a completion certificate for the Conductor’s Enhancement Program (CEP) designed by the LTO from any LTO-accredited institution. Those who are renewing with demerits will also need to complete a Conductor’s Re-orientation Course to be able to proceed.
5. Can I renew my Conductor’s License before it expires on the last working day prior to my birthday?
Yes. There is a separate process for advance renewal so it is possible to secure a renewal prior to expiration of your Conductor’s License
Summary
Securing a Conductor’s License from LTO may not be all that popular as opposed to securing a Driver’s License. It is equally important though, as both are mandated by the law. Even the process for application and renewal of both licenses are quite similar, with a few exceptions, like that of the classifications/restrictions.
So, if you intend to seek a career as a conductor, then it’s best to secure a Conductor’s License (CL) from the Land Transportation Authority (LTO) to prove that they have what ot takes to carry out the duties of a transport conductor in assisting the drivers of buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the country.
Contact Information
For inquiries or concerns regarding the aplication or renewal of the Conductor’s License, you may reach out to LTO via the following contact information:
Via the LTMS portal: Visit the LTO’s official website and fill out their Contact Us form.
Via phone call: You may contact them at their telephone number (632) 922-9061 to 66.
Via email: You may also send them an email at clientcare@lto.gov.ph.
Via the LTO Text Hotline Service: You may use LTO’s nationwide SMS service for drivers and vehicle owners by typing LTOHELP and sending it to 2600
By visiting the LTO office: For information, you may check this list of Complete LTO branches for the one closest to you.
Also Read: List of Land Transportation Office (LTO) Branches in the Philippines
Note that the LTO Text Hotline service is available during office hours on weekdays. If you avail this service after 5 PM, you won’t get any replies, but you will still be charged a Php 2.00 fee, as it is the fee using that service.
For further queries and assistance, you may also contact LTO using their Contact form available via this link: https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/f?p=PUBLIC_PORTAL:CONTACT_US:115716301949471:::::