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| LTO-10 Regional Dir. Hilarion Ulep |
CAGAYAN de Oro City (BEN BALCE/ Golden Journal) - The revised rules governing the issuance
of drivers’ licenses through administrative orders are now being imposed in the
region, Land Transportation Office (LTO) officials said Monday.
Northern Mindanao Land Transportation Office regional
director Hilarion Ulep said the Department of Transportation and Communication
(DOTC) has revised the rules and guidelines governing the issuance of drivers’
licenses serving two purposes.
“First, they will better ensure the fitness and
capability of license card holders to drive on our streets and second, they
will streamline the application process and make it more convenient for the
public,” said Ulep.
Ulep said the revised rules have covered all four types
of licenses issued by the LTO – professional, non-professional, student permit,
and conductor’s license.
“Revised on driver’s license examinations also included
and imposed starting last month,” said Ulep.
The new rules took effect after the five administrative
orders have been published last October this year.
“The LTO will no longer conduct lectures and seminars
prior to written and practical examinations but instead release reviewers
containing all possible questions,” Ulep explained.
Instead, holders of a student’s permit will be given
reviewers available at LTO offices as well as online through the DOTC and LTO
websites, according to Ulep.
In the orders, those who fail the basic driving theory
and practical driving tests twice will not be allowed to reapply within a year
while those who fail the tests for the third time cannot apply for two years.
It also said the LTO raised by one year the minimum age
requirement for those seeking a student permit and a non-professional driver’s
license.
Applicants for a student permit must be 17 years old –
previously 16 years old – and those seeking for a non-pro license must be 18
years old from the current qualification of 17 years old.
Motorists aspiring for a professional driver’s license
must have a valid student driver’s permit for at least six months. The current
guidelines allow applicants to have a five-month student’s permit or a non-pro
license for four months.
Applicants for a professional driver’s license will be
disqualified if they have incurred at least two citations for reckless driving.
“This is meant to incentivize disciplined, law-abiding,
and orderly driving among would-be... applicants,” Ulep said.
The restrictions will apply to all applicants for a
professional driver’s license: drivers of tricycles, light vehicles, heavy
vehicles, and conductors.
Under the new rules, the LTO will accept a medical certificate
issued by a licensed and practicing physician. This means applications will no
longer be restricted to be certified by accredited doctors stationed at the LTO
office.
“This will allow applicants to have themselves examined
by a doctor of their own choosing, at a time and place convenient to them,” he
said.
The LTO will provide a downloadable medical certificate
form from the DOTC and LTO websites.
“It should state, among others, that the applicant is
physically and mentally fit to drive, as well as what the condition of his or
her eyesight and hearing is,” Ulep said.
Under the new system, the LTO will extend the validity
period of professional and non-professional driver’s licenses whose holder have
not committed any violation.
“A motorist with a clean record is entitled to a
five-year validity period when license is renewed,” Ulep stressed.
A driver’s license is currently valid for three years.
(With reports from DOTC)
