Solon wants to remove LTO driver’s education for license renewal

Motorists are up in arms over the driver’s exam which is now a requirement for driver’s license renewal. Now, at least one lawmaker has taken up the cudgels for them, saying that it will only be an added burden to drivers. 

House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez is challenging the LTO's CDE requirement for license renewal

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez has filed House Resolution No. 2325, which seeks to remove the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) as a prerequisite for car owners to renew their licenses. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) recently imposed the requirement, coinciding with the rollout of the 10-year validity for driver’s licenses last October 28, 2021. 

“This will be an additional expense to the Filipino people, which is an added burden especially during a pandemic,” he said. 

The LTO based its implementation on Section 23-A of Republic Act 10390, which empowers the agency to conduct theoretical and practical examinations as necessary to ensure that only deserving applicants acquire licenses. Rodriguez countered that no specific provision in the law explicitly requires a certification for renewal, and has filed House Bill No. 10430 to repeal relevant sections of R.A. 10930. 

The LTO began implementing the CDE requirement on October 28, 2021

“The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the spring cannot rise higher than its source and implementing rules must conform to the language of the law,” he explained.

While the solon acknowledged that the requirement is free of charge if done through the LTO online portal, the CDE is also available at LTO-accredited driving schools for a fee ranging from Php 1,000 to Php 3,000. According to Rodriguez, this could be a potential source of red tape and controversy especially when outsourced to private contractors, similar to what happened with vehicle emissions testing. 

Rodriguez previously proposed suspending emissions testing for vehicle registration renewals amid the pandemic

The Cagayan De Oro Second District Representative also called on the House of Representatives to investigate the CDE mandate, even as he advised the LTO to properly explain the basis for the imposition and prove that it complies with legal processes. 

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