The
revised rules governing the issuance of driver’s licenses aim to ensure
the capability of the driver as well as streamline the application
process. The reformed process is expected to take effect within the
first half of November 2015, and will cover all four types of licenses.
As
part of its agency-wide reform program, the Land Transportation Office
(LTO) is set to implement the revised rules governing the issuance of
driver’s licenses in the coming days, with the publication of five
Administrative Orders (AOs) next week.
“The
revised rules will serve 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 Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya.
The
AOs will take effect 15 days after publication, or within the first
half of November. They will cover all four types of licenses issued by
the LTO, namely:
- professional driver’s licenses (PDLs);
- non-professional driver’s licenses (NPDLs);
- student’s permits (SPs);
- and conductor’s licenses (CLs).
Higher Standards, Stricter Rules for PDLs
The LTO is imposing higher standards and requirements for professional driver’s license (PDL) applicants:
- Applicants for PDLs to operate light vehicles must have had a valid SP for at least 6 months prior to the application.
- In cases of heavy vehicles, the PDL applicant must have either a valid NPDL for at least 1 year prior to the application, or a valid PDL to operate light vehicles for at least 6 months prior to the same.
Currently, a 5-month holder of an SP or a 4-month holder of an NPDL may apply for a PDL.
At
the same time, the agency is tightening its eligibility criteria by
disqualifying PDL applicants who have had two or more citations for
reckless driving during the validity period of their existing license.
This is meant to incentivize disciplined, law-abiding, and orderly
driving among would-be PDL applicants.
These
restrictions will apply to the four types of PDL examinations: those
for tricycles, for light vehicles, for heavy vehicles, as well as for
conductors.
More Convenient Rules on Medical Certificates
For
the convenience of applicants, the LTO will begin accepting medical
certificates issued by any duly-licensed and practicing physician,
instead of restricting these to accredited doctors stationed at LTO
offices.
This
will allow applicants to have themselves examined by a doctor of their
own choosing, at a time and place convenient to them. However, the
revised rules require that a medical certificate submitted during
application should have been issued no more than 15 days prior. The LTO
will not accept medical certificates which are over 15 days old.
For
uniformity, the LTO will provide a Medical Certificate form which will
be free of charge and will be available for downloading from the DOTC
and LTO websites. The form must state that the applicant is physically
and mentally fit to drive, as well as the condition of their hearing and
eyesight.
Merit System for License Renewals
The
LTO will also implement a merit system to incentivize good behavior and
disciplined driving among license holders. Currently, licenses have a
3-year validity period based on the license holder’s date of birth.
Under
this new system, a PDL or NPDL holder who has not committed any
violation during the 3-year validity period will be entitled to a 5-year
validity period for their next license upon renewal. For those who have
committed a violation, they will be eligible for the regular 3-year
validity period only upon renewal.
Changes in the Application Process
Lectures
or seminars prior to the written and practical examinations will no
longer be conducted by the agency. Instead, the LTO will release
reviewers containing all possible questions to the public. The reviewers
will be given to those who are issued SPs, and will be made available
to anyone at LTO offices and on the websites of the DOTC and the LTO.
Applicants
who fail the Basic Driving Theory Test and/or the Practical Driving
Test twice shall not be allowed to apply for the same within a period of
1 year. An applicant who fails either of the tests for the third time
will not be allowed to apply for a period of 2 years.
Lastly,
the minimum age requirement for SPs will be raised from the current 16
years old to 17 years old. In the same vein, the minimum age for NPDL
applicants will be raised from 17 years old to 18 years old.
Full credits to www.gov.ph
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