DRIVER’S LICENSE | LTO says seminars for 10-year driver’s license renewal are free

October 29, 2021 , 05:54 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(October 29, 2021) – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday said the seminars for motorists seeking to renew driver’s license for 10 years are free after mounting public criticism, its chief said.

Retired general Edgar Galvante said some accredited driving schools will offer for free the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) seminars, but these five-hour seminars are free at government centers. The driving schools are filling in for the limited capacities at the agency.

The seminars are also available online for motorists to view the required driving materials and can later take evaluation exams to receive the CDE certificates.

“Ito’y walang bayad sana alalahanin nila yon,” Galvante said in radio program ‘Ted Failon at DJ Chacha sa Radyo5.’ “Kung may nagooffer na they will go through the seminar magbabayad ng ganon walang bayad ito sa LTO.”

On Thursday, the LTO’s national office started offering driver’s licenses with an extended validity period of 10 years from 5 years, for the purpose of easing access to government services. Other LTO offices in Metro Manila will also offer the same 10-year driver’s license on November 3.

The extended license will be made available for those who are seeking to renew their licenses and have no traffic violation record. Applicants who have a traffic violation record in the past can only renew for another five years, the agency said in a Facebook post.

On the same day, LTO required all renewal applicants to attend CDE seminars before they can renew their licenses.

The law revamping the process of distributing drivers’ licenses does not impose enhancement programs among applicants, but the LTO decided on the matter based on the implementing rules and regulations of the measure, Galvante said.

“Kung ano man ung pinapatupad, eh hindi naman sinasabi nun kung paano mo gagawin kumbaga parang general at kung uung sense na parang maaaccomplish ung goal ng probisyon na iyon at ayun ang iniimplement ng ahensya,” he said, noting that the law seeks to improve the behavior of drivers in public roads.

The move had drawn mixed reactions. While some believed this will help ensure the skills of licensed drivers, others expressed concerns that this will put additional burden on the time and finances of drivers. Some also warned that driving schools will take advantage of the policy to profit from drivers.

Galvante assured the government is preparing to put its foot down in case driving schools start charging renewal applicants just to give away CDE certificates.

“Pag ikaw ay nagparticipate sa ilegal, baka di mo makuha yung inaasam-asam mong lisensya, kasi pwede kang masuspend or even banned for life kung nag-iinvolved ka sa mga ganyang hakbangin,” he said.

(MM)

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