Solon wants LTO to suspend driving education test for license renewal

Since last year, House of Representative Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez has been making a case that Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) should be suspended.

Solon wants LTO to scrap CDE

Fast forward to today, Rodriguez once again urged LTO to suspend the 8-hour long driver education test. As a little recap, the CDE was introduced as a refresher course to those who want to renew their driver’s licenses. Considering that LTO started to roll out the 10-year driver’s license validity, the government agency thinks that it would be proper for drivers to be enlightened with road rules and courtesy.

The Deputy Speaker argues that the CDE can cause the COVID-19 Omicron variant to rapidly spread as the sessions are usually held in cramped spaces in malls. This is the case if the individual chooses to take the CDE in LTO offices or LTO-accredited driving schools. Despite observing social distancing, it is still important for rooms to provide good ventilation to avoid the spread of the virus.

“The converge of people at this time in LTO offices, many of which are just cramped spaces in malls could be a virus super spreader. I’m sure LTO officials and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade are aware of this,” said Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez.

The CDE is said to make drivers' lives, specifically PUV drivers, more challenging

Another case the deputy speaker pointed out is that the CDE only burdens drivers as LTO-accredited driving schools ask for around Php 3,000 to Php 5,000. In today’s time when public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers are having trouble receiving financial assistance from the government, paying the said fee for the driver education test can be a concern for them. However, the CDE is free of charge if done through the LTO online portal. 

Rodriguez continues by saying that LTO has a system for traffic offenders where they receive a road refresher course. As such, he thinks that the CDE is unnecessary and only burdens the motoring public.

“Repeat offenders whose licenses are confiscated are even required to attend a seminar on complying with driving and traffic rules before their licenses are released. So the renewal test is clearly superfluous,” Rodriguez added.

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