Drivers with 5, 10-year license don’t need periodic medical exam anymore

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has abolished the need for periodic medical examinations for drivers with a five and 10-year license validity.

Drivers with a five or 10-year license validity don't need periodic medical exams anymore

To keep you up to speed, the government agency imposed periodic medical exams when it rolled out extended validity of driver’s licenses of up to 10 years. It aims to ensure that drivers granted the extended validity are still fit to drive.

Drivers with a 5-year license validity were required to undergo a periodic medical exam in the third year, while those holding a 10-year license validity had to carry it out in the fourth and seventh years.

According to LTO’s data and consultations, the periodic medical examination doesn’t prove that it can prevent road crashes.

With that being said, medical examinations are now only required 60 days before or on the specified renewal date of either a five or 10-year driver’s license validity. Individuals who wish to undergo periodic medical examinations are still welcome.

Drivers can still undergo periodic medical exams if they wish to do so

But for Filipinos with driver’s licenses who are working or living abroad, the LTO is mandating them to provide a medical examination within 30 days of arriving in the country before they can be allowed to drive.

“Kami sa LTO ay naniniwala na ang hakbang na ito ay nagdudulot ng bahagyang ginhawa sa publiko dahil bukod sa hindi na sila kailangang gumastos na paulit-ulit para sa medical examinations, maiiwasan din ang dagdag-abala lalo na sa mga mahahalaga ang oras para sa trabaho. Nasa pagkukusa na lang ngayon ng bawat indibidwal kung nanaisin nilang sumalang sa medical examination,” said Tugade.

(We at LTO believe that this initiative will give convenience to the public because aside from reduced costs of periodic medical examinations, the valuable time of individuals, especially those who are working, will not be hindered. But individuals can still undergo medical examinations if they wish to do so.)

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