ILOILO City – Beginning next month, applicants for “student permit” would be required to take a 15-hour theoretical driving course in accredited driving schools, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6.
A student permit, sometimes called student license, is an official document from LTO that authorizes the holder to drive a vehicle in the presence of someone with a professional or non-professional driver’s license.
This new requirement aims to address concerns over the growing number vehicular accidents (12,000 deaths annually), according to LTO-6 officer-in-charge Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan.
LTO central office issued Memorandum Circulation 2019-2167 (Rules and Regulations on Accreditation, Supervision and Control of Driving Institutions, and on Standardization of Driver Education) last Dec. 5, 2019 imposing the 15-hour theoretical driving course.
No student permit would be issued to an applicant who has not completed the course, said Geduspan.
The course will tackle the following traffic laws:
* Republic Act (RA) 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code)
* RA 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999)
* RA 8750 (Seatbelts Use Act of 1999)
* RA 8794 (An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle User’s Charge on All Types of Motor Vehicles and for Others Purposes)
* RA 10054 (Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009)
* RA. 10586 (Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013)
* RA 10913 (Anti-Distracted Driving Act)
Geduspan said LTO-6 is now in the process of accrediting driving schools for the 15-hour theoretical driving course.
In the current practice to secure a student permit, LTO simply requires the applicant to submit a birth certificate (true copy) and medical certificate.
“Wala gani sang examination,” said Geduspan.
Also included in the theoretical driving course are the following:
* traffic signs, signals, pavement markings, and road right of way
* hazard scanning and recognition, and road crash risk reduction
* functions of automotive assemblies and accessories
* cockpit drill and driving maneuvers
* parking techniques such as the three-point turn, parallel, reverse, and angle parking
* fuel conservation tips and techniques
* vehicle safety checks and basic trouble shooting cum practicum
* road courtesy, discipline and defensive driving practices
* detailed topics / concepts for the safe operation of motorcycle and light motor vehicles
* driver’s license and motor vehicle registration requirements and processes
* basic organization and functions of LTO/PN
