The Transport Department said on Friday it would implement new rules governing the issuance of driver’s licenses by next month to ensure the safety of the passengers.
“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,” Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said.
Abaya said the administrative orders, which will be published today, will cover all four types of licenses issued by the Land Transportation Office namely the professional driver’s licenses, non-professional driver’s licenses, student permits, and conductor’s licenses.
Under the new rules, LTO will implement a merit system to incentivize good behavior and disciplined driving among license holders.
A PDL or NPDL holder who has not committed any violation during the three-year validity period will be entitled to a five-year validity period for his/her next license upon renewal. For those who have committed a violation, they will be eligible for the regular three-year validity period only upon renewal.
Currently, licenses have a three-year validity period reckoned from the holder’s date of birth.
The LTO is also imposing higher standards and requirements for professional driver’s license applicants, with a view to restricting the industry to truly qualified drivers.
For instance, applicants for PDLs to operate light vehicles must have had a valid SP for at least six 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.
LTO is also 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.
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.