ILOILO City – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Western Visayas will start issuing drivers’ licenses valid for five to 10 years beginning tomorrow, Dec. 1.
Motorists may apply at LTO Region 6 in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro district or any LTO branch offices, said Atty. Allan Sacramento, acting chief of LTO-6 operations division.
The issuance of the drivers’ licenses valid for five to 10 years is in line with the provisions of Republic Act 10930 (an act rationalizing and strengthening the policy regarding driver’s license by extending the validity period of drivers’ licenses).
Under the law, according to Sacramento, the new licenses valid for 10 years will be given to holders who do not have any traffic violations – in the last five years – on file. Otherwise, they will be issued renewed licenses that are only valid for five years.
But applicants of new drivers’ licenses and those renewing expired ones must first secure a certification of completion of the comprehensive driver’s education (CDE), according to Sacramento.
“Even if entitled ka sa five- or 10-year validity driver’s license, you still have to undergo CDE to get the certification,” he added.
The CDE is composed of a refresher seminar and an examination designed to ensure that “only deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills and (are) knowledgeable (of) road safety and proper road courtesy” will have their licenses renewed.
The CDE seminar would take a maximum of five hours to complete. It consists of video and written materials provided by the LTO.
The examinations would be held at driver’s education centers (DECs). Region 6 has two of such: LTO-6 office and the LTO office in Kalibo, Aklan. Those who want to take the exams there must set an appointment.
The exams could also be taken online by logging in to LTO’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal.
How is it done?
“Mayroon tayong audio-visual materials doon at mga printed materials na pwede nilang i-review. After that they can have the validation exam. Pagkapasa nila doon automatically magpi-print ng certificate na ise-send doon sa kanilang email address,” Sacramento explained.
Exams taken in DECs or online would be free, he said.
However, he added, if motorists opt to take the exam at LTO-accredited driving schools, these schools may charge fees.
There would be unlimited takes on the exam. No one is also exempted.
By the time a driver qualifies for a five- or 10-year driver’s license extension, they must then undergo a periodic medical exam (PME), said Sacramento.
Five-year driver’s license holders must undergo a PME on the third birth date of the license’s issuance.
Holders of 10-year drivers’ licenses, meanwhile, must undergo two PMEs: the fourth and seventh birthdates of the issuance.
Drivers can take the PME at any LTO-accredited medical clinic or government health facility, said Sacramento.
A registered physician would conduct a general examination on the license holder, he said.
The physician would then issue a medical certificate containing the results of the PME./PN
