LTO wants driving schools to have standard rates

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has held a meeting together with representatives of local driving schools. The said meeting facilitated a discussion to standardize the prices for the theoretical driving course (TDC) and practical driving course (PDC) that these driving schools are offering. 

The meeting was led by LTO Executive Director Giovanni Lopez

The meeting was spearheaded by LTO Executive Director Giovanni Lopez. Specifically, both parties involved were looking for a way to implement a reasonable adjustment in the fees that driving schools are charging for their courses.  

It was not revealed if these fees will increase or become cheaper, but it was mentioned that the prices should be fair for both the driving school businesses and driver’s license applicants. Likewise discussed during the event were new policies and guidelines for accrediting a driving school. 

Note that under Republic Act 10930, the LTO requires driver’s and student license applicants to have undergone training in vehicle operation and driving rules and regulations. This can be provided by the existing driving schools around the country via the PDC and TDC respectively. Previously, a complete list of accredited LTO driving schools nationwide was released.  

As said above, no fee adjustments in part of the technical driving schools were implemented for now, so we aren’t aware yet as to how it will end up affecting the total fee one has to fork out for a driver’s license. Adjustments for the process of the LTO accreditation of a driving school are yet to be published as well.   

In attendance were representatives of various driving schools

Do remember, however, that the LTO says that it is on a mission to make driver’s license fees more affordable. These efforts were started back in February 2023, as directed by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade. 

Under this initiative, consultations with the LTO-accredited driving schools regarding a standardized fee were started. Talks between accredited clinics and the LTO were also commenced for their medical certificate fees.  

As a side note, the LTO charges Php 685 for driver’s licenses and Php 250 for student permits. That fee is on top of other fees including the required practical and theoretical courses, and the medical certificate to determine the fitness of a prospective driver’s license holder.  

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