It is the 11th hour of the year 2016. And when we speak of the 11th hour, what we actually mean is that we are in the later part of the year where we are very close to switching calendars and are very eager to collect coffee stamps to get our 2017 planners.
However, before taking the big leap towards 2017, have you ever thought and pondered about how far you’ve gone in reaching your goals and achieving your resolutions for 2016?
Every new year, we make it a point that we learn something new. And you know what I’ve noticed as one of the most common new year’s resolutions of guys like you and me? Learning to drive.
Now if you feel you are lagging behind on your 2016 resolution to learn to take the wheels, then don’t worry because it’s not yet late. You have roughly a month to learn driving, perhaps through the Christmas break. And so with this thought, I’d like to help you by giving a rough guide on the current prices and offerings of three of the most popular driving schools in the country starting with…
Smart Driving School
Established in the year 2000 in España, Manila, Smart Driving School has grown from one branch to now over 50 branches.
Their driving rates are divided into several schemes which are detailed as follows.
Manual Transmission
| 5 hours | 7 hours | 10 hours | 15 hours | 20 hours | |
| Regular course (1 hr per day) | Php 2,200 | Php 3,100 | Php 4,400 | Php 6,600 | Php 8,800 |
| Special course (2 hours per day) | Php 2,800 | Php 3,900 | Php 5,500 | Php 8,250 | Php 11,000 |
For manual transmission driving lessons, Smart Driving School offers sedans and Toyota Wigo or whichever is available.
Automatic Transmission
| 5 hours | 7 hours | 10 hours | 15 hours | 20 hours | |
| Mitsubishi Lancer / Toyota Altis / Toyota Vios / Honda City | Php 5,000 | Php 7,000 | Php 10,000 | Php 15,000 | Php 20,000 |
| Toyota Innova | Php 5,800 | Php 8,100 | Php 11,500 | Php 17,000 |
Php 22,500
|
| Toyota Fortuner / Mitsubishi Montero | Php 6,800 | Php 9,500 | Php 13,500 | Php 20,000 | Php 26,500 |
Training Center (5hrs): P2,500
Inclusions:
• Free License Processing Assistance
• Free 7 hours seminar
• Can request for a copy of the Powerpoint Slides of the lectures
Lecture Contents:
• Pre-Driving Seminar (Introduction)
• Proper Handling (ex. Steering Wheel, etc.)
• Defensive Driving
• Traffic Rules and Regulation
• Preventive Maintenance
Other Information:
• Instructors – whoever is available; students can request for a specific instructor for P100/hr
• Payment – cash or credit card
• Driving Safety Handbook can be purchased for P300
A-1 Driving
Being a product of A1 Driving School myself, I’d say that they are one of the premier schools in the country which has a wide array of cars, full-scale driving facilities and very comprehensive lectures.
Their pricing matrix is more granular as they have a variety of cars, services and facilities to choose from as outlined below.
Manual Transmission
| 5 hours | 7 hours | 10 hours | 15 hours | 20 hours | 30 hours | |
| Sedan (Vios, Altis, Mazda 3) | Php 3,400 | Php 4,700 | Php 6,600 | Php 9,800 | Php 12,800 | Php 18,700 |
| AUV/MPV/Pick-Up (Mitsubishi Adventure, Innova, Hilux) | Php 5,800 | Php 7,800 | Php 11,000 | Php 16,400 | Php 21,700 | Php 31,000 |
Automatic Transmission
| 5 hours | 7 hours | 10 hours | 15 hours | 20 hours | 30 hours | |
| Sedan (Vios, Altis, Mazda 3) | Php 6,100 | Php 8,500 | Php 12,000 | Php 17,700 | Php 23,300 | Php 33,800 |
| AUV/MPV/Pick-Up (Mitsubishi Adventure, Innova, Hilux) | Php 7,200 | Php 9,900 | Php 13,700 | Php 20,400 | Php 26,500 | Php 38,800 |
| Compact SUV (Honda CRV) | Php 8,000 | Php 10,800 | Php 15,200 | Php 22,500 | Php 29,200 | Php 42,800 |
| Midside SUV (Toyota Fortuner) | Php 8,200 | Php 11,200 | Php 15,600 | Php 23,200 | Php 30,200 | Php 44,300 |
Training Center (5hrs):
| Sedan | AUV/MPV/Pick-up | Compact SUV | Midsize SUV | |
| Manual | Php 2,500 | Php 4,400 | ||
| Automatic | Php 3,500 | Php 5,400 | Php 6,000 | Php 6,200 |
Inclusions:
• Free Lectures
• Long-Distance Driving
Licensing Assistance:
Student Permit – P700
Non-Professional – P1,800
Lecture Contents:
• Classroom Orientation
• Proper Handling
• Road Safety Lecture
Other Information:
• Instructors – whoever is available
• Payment – cash, check or credit card
Socialites Excellent Driving School
Socialites has been in existence since 1969 and out of the three driving schools featured in this blog post, they are the ones that has rates which are easy on the pocket as you will see below.
Manual Transmission (1 hr per day)
| 5 hours | 7 hours | 10 hours | 15 hours | |
| Hyundai Accent | Php 2,500 | Php 3,500 | Php 5,000 | Php 7,500 |
Automatic Transmission (1 hour per day)
| 5 hours | 7 hours | 10 hours | 15 hours | |
| Toyota Vios | Php 3,500 | Php 4,900 | Php 7,000 | Php 10,500 |
Inclusions:
• Free Lectures (even after your hours)
Lecture Contents:
• Driving Principles, Hanging, Backing, Maneuvering
• LTO Code, Parking, Traffic Rules and Regulations
• Ignition and Breaking System
• LTO for Non-Prof, Porto Clinic, Driving in a Flooded Street
• LTO Exam for Prof, Tips in Buying a Car
• Car Servicing
• Defensive Driving
Other Information:
• Instructors – one trainer all throughout
• Payment – cash or check
• Additional P50 per hour should you want to extend your session
* * * *
There you have it. Those are the 2016 rates of three of the most popular driving schools in the country. Note that price may change without prior notice so this serves only as a rough guide for guys out there who would like to learn how to drive before the year ends.
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31 comments
nice post chris! very helpful!
Hi Ralph, you’re welcome. I’m glad you liked this story.
I am really interested to learn driving but I don’t know which has the best service out there. Any recommendation? It’s hard to have a tutor that has no patience at all. LOL
http://www.wizardandi.com
Andi – try A1.
Hi,
Do you have the price for driving license test? Thank you!
Hello Chris,
I don’t have a car yet but I would like to have driving lessons.
Are there any available cars for them to lend during the session?
I would like to start with a small car.
Chester – yes, that is definitely the idea. They provide their own cars that you will use during the training.
Hi. Just want to query does any of these drving schools offer more than an hour of lessons? Im an ofw and my days in Philippines are limited and would like to maximize my stay there. Thanks in advance.
April – I think A1 offers at most 2 hours per day if I remember correctly.
Hi Chris,
Do you have any idea how long (hrs) would it usually take to finally learn driving automatic sedan?
Third – for referesher courses (meaning you already had driving lessons before), 5 to 7 hours should be sufficient.
But if you are a beginner student, I strongly suggest 15 hours, no more no less. After the 15 hours, you should practice on your own car. 🙂
From my perspective, Smart Driving School is cheaper than A-1 right? But what do you prefer for a refresher and need an assistance to get a license on a tight budget?
And another question, don’t they have any email address or website to inquire to? Not just a telephone number.
Jirvs – Smart seems cheaper. I don’t have an experience with them yet, but if you would ask me, I’d pick A1.
Good morning. Is it still posible for a 66 years old senior citizen to learn how to drive a car(SUV automatic) ? I’m planning to enroll at A1 School as per advised by my son. Your comment/recommendation will be highly appreciated. Thank you and more power. God bless.
Hi Robert, yes that is possible. I believe there is no age limit so go ahead. I also tried A1 and that is my personal favorite of all the driving schools listed.
Good luck and God bless too! Tell me how your driving lessons go. Have fun!
Good afternoon! Base on the tables above, ate the payment for the training centers different from the 5 hour rate of driving manual trans.?
Good afternoon! Base on the tables above, ate the payment for the training centers different from the 5 hour rate of driving manual trans.? Thank you
hi
Can i drive if i have vietnam driving licence ?
thank so much
Ano meaning ng Training Center na isa sa mga options dyan?
thank you Chris for the information you provided.
Irene – welcome! and thanks for dropping by the blog.
Rey – sorry for the super late reply. Training Center is their facility where you can drive. Not an actual road with experienced drivers, but more of an exclusive zone where you can practice without actual cars until you gain enough confidence to drive the city traffic.
You may also try Prestige Driving school they also offer driving lesson at a very affordable price. They also hAve good reviews. I personnaly had my driving lesson there.
Courtney – thanks for the recommendation. Where are their locations and what are their prices?
Hi Chris, I have the best recommendation here in Tacloban Area, you may feature it anyways 🙂
I like your Vlog 🙂 , Hope you have one for investments and insurances!
Which driving school did you go and finally learned how to drive..i wanted to go for the same school you enrolled before.thanks
This is very helpful. Thanks!
Brenda – I went to A1. Try them. They are good!
Claudine – You’re welcome!
please avoid APLUS driving school in españa, very incompetent instructors and mga hnd nag seminars mga instructors nila and nagtitipid sa gas kapag nagtuturo na, and mga tamad magturo
waste of money for APLUS driving school,
wla man lng idea ung instructor for defensive driving.. tae kayo sna makabangga kotse nyo