LTO sets standard rates on driving school fees

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has set new standard rates for private driving school fees.

The agency is setting new and more affordable driving school fees

With the Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2390, or “Omnibus Guidelines on the Accreditation, Supervision, Control of Driving Institutions, and the Standardization of Driver and Conductor’s Education,” the government agency is addressing the concerns about overpricing on driving school fees.

The maximum Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) rate will be Php 1,000. It will be a significant update as outgoing rates average around Php 2,000. A TDC certification is mandatory for acquiring a student permit, which aims to teach applicants about road rules and regulations, and safe driving.

In addition to the new standard rate, the mandatory 15-hour TDC can soon be finished within two days only from three days. Applicants can clock seven hours on the first day, then another eight hours on the second day.

The estimated costs for acquiring an LTO license

Meanwhile, Practical Driving Course (PDC) rates will also get new standard rates. For your reference, you can check out the PDC rates for the corresponding license codes below:

• A and A1 – Php 2,500
• B, B1, and B2 – Php 4,000
• C, D, and CE – Php 8,000

A Php 50,000 fine and a six-month suspension of accreditation will be imposed on private driving schools that will exceed the new TDC and PDC standard rates. It will increase to Php 100,000 and a one-year suspension for the second offense, while the third offense will cancel or revoke driving school accreditation.

To note, the Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2390 will take effect on April 15, 2023.

“Ang mga bagong panuntunan na ito ay dumaan sa masusing pag-aaral ng technical working group at sumalang din sa serye ng mga konsultasyon sa lahat ng stakeholders,” said LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade.

(These new regulations have been studied by the technical working group and have also gone through a series of consultations with all stakeholders.)

LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade

Aside from new and more affordable standard rates on driving school fees, the LTO looks to bring down driver’s license fees. With it, the agency can aid those who wish to be granted the privilege to drive on Philippine roads.

Don’t miss the latest transport sector updates at Philkotse.com.