THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday started issuing driver’s licenses valid for 10 years but this can be availed only by drivers renewing their licenses without violations on file.
The agency said drivers with violations will only be given a five-year extension.
Motorists renewing their licenses are also required to take comprehensive refresher seminars and exams. This also applies to new applicants for licenses.
These are some of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 10930 that amended the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
“The law wants to make sure that only qualified motorists who possess both driving skills and knowledge of road safety and road courtesy are given the privilege to drive motor vehicles,” said LTO chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante.
The rollout of the licenses valid for 10 years will start at the LTO’s Central Office- Licensing Section and the Quezon City Licensing Center. Not all LTO offices will be able to issue licenses valid for 10 years.
A week after the pilot run at the LTO Central Office and at the QCLC, licenses valid for 10 years will be issued by other LTO offices in Metro Manila. — Noel Talacay
The seminar will be conducted for a maximum of five hours and are offered free in driver’s education centers and for a fee in LTO accredited driving schools. Motorists can also take the seminar online via the LTO’s LTMS portal. Motorists who fail the exams after the seminar will be required to retake the test.
Motorists applying for renewal of their expired driver’s licenses need to register for free at the LTO Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) via portal.lto.gov.ph, or can be assisted through the process by LTO frontliners in all LTO offices.
