The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday clarified that it is against the removal of the Comprehensive Drivers’ Education (CDE) requirement for the renewal of drivers’ licenses with a 10-year validity period. This came in as a response to prior reports suggesting otherwise.
Upon releasing their statement, Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar added that the department submitted a comment to Congress, which states that ”the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has the jurisdiction to impose restrictions on the renewal of the driver’s licenses for 10 years, which includes the requirement of the CDE.”
She added that ”the issuance of a CDE certification of completion is a function necessary or incidental to the power of the LTO to issue driver’s licenses.”
Villar, however, said the law states that the function pertains to the LTO itself and does refer to authorizing LTO-accredited driving schools or institutions to exercise the power.
Pursuant to Republic Act 10930 which amends the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, the LTO started implementing the CDE in late October of last year wherein – among others – driver’s license validity periods are to be extended from five to 10 years from the previous three years for drivers with no violations.