Drivers renewing license required to take driver’s education seminar

If you’re scheduled to renew your driver’s license soon, now’s a good time to brush up on your knowledge of traffic rules and driving etiquette. This is an additional requirement that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to implement. 

Motorists with licenses up for renewal will need to submit one more requirement

Previously, existing license holders only need to go to any LTO branch and submit themselves to a medical examination as part of license renewal procedures. With the rollout of the 10-year driver’s license validity, there will be an additional certification to serve as a prerequisite for renewing a driver’s license. 

“Ang lahat ng magre-renew ay kailangang dumaan sa Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) upang matanggap nila ang kanilang CDE Certificate,” the LTO said in its recent advisory. 

(All those who will renew their licenses must undergo the Comprehensive Driver’s Education [CDE] for them to receive their certificates)

The validity of licenses set to expire in October will be extended until December 31

The agency says that this is in accordance with Republic Act 10930, which empowers the LTO to promulgate prerequisites and guidelines to ensure that only deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills, knowledge of road safety, and proper road courtesy will be granted licenses. These include the conduct of theoretical and practical examinations that are appropriate for the type of license, vehicle, and restriction that a motorist is applying for. 

Drivers will need to attend a seminar that runs at a maximum of five hours, which can be conducted physically at the LTO’s Driver Education Centers free of charge, or at accredited driving schools for a fee. The service is also offered online via the LTO’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal. This will be followed by an exam comprising a 25-point questionnaire.

All applicants must pass the exam to obtain the CDE certification and qualify for license renewal. Those with no record of traffic violations may apply for a 10-year license validity. Meanwhile, those who have violations can only apply for a 5-year validity. 

The old process for license renewal will be followed in areas that don't have the 10-year license validity yet 

The new system will initially be implemented in the LTO’s Central Office-Licensing Section and the Quezon City Licensing Center (QCLC) beginning October 28, 2021. Other LTO branches within the National Capital Region (NCR) are scheduled to follow by November 3, 2021. All other areas outside NCR will adopt the system at a later date. 

According to DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran, not all LTO offices will be able to process applications for the 10-year license validity in the meantime. She says that in areas that have yet to update their systems, the old procedure for license renewal will be followed.       

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