LTO-7 to roll-out the10-year Driver's License on December 1

CEBU CITY – The Land Transportation Office (LTO-7) is now starting to audit all its offices in Central Visayas in preparation for the roll-out of the 10-year Driver's License in the region on December 1, 2021.

LTO-7 regional director Victor Emmanuel Caindec, in a press statement said that this move is to follow through the agency’s first roll-out in the Central Office - Licensing Section in Quezon City on October 28 and the National Capital Region (NCR) offices on November 3 while those LTO offices in the country that were not part of the first roll-out can start on December 1.

In preparation for the major development in the history of LTO, Caindec said that they are also doing an audit on the capability of their offices in facilitating the said new validity.  He explained that they are making this pre-announcement for the public to know what they need to do before renewing their Driver's Licenses.

"We are waiting for the final office orders but there's a strong chance on December 1 ang LTO-7 will start issuing the 10-years license cards. We are also checking on the state of all the computers as well as starting our familiarization with the new system," Caindec said.

Republic Act (RA) No. 10930 which amended the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, a driver can only get a 10-year Driver's License if the "holder of a professional and nonprofessional driver's license who has not committed any violation of Republic Act No. 4136 and other traffic laws, rules and regulations."

Aside from passing the examination at any LTO office for the renewal of a Driver's License, all renewing applicants shall undergo the Comprehensive Driver's Education (CDE) to get a CDE Certificate.  Caindec said.

The CDE Online Validation Exam is readily available to all applicants for free at the LTO Portal (portal.lto.gov.ph) and LTO offices through its Driver's Education Centers.

The same refresher course will also be available at the LTO-Accredited Driving Schools where fees may be applicable. Renewing applicants should pass at least 50 percent or 13 correct answers out of the 25 questions to get the CDE certificate.

Before taking the exam, one should pre-register at the LTO Portal. Caindec also clarified that passing both the CDE Exam and the mandatory examination for renewal of driver's license, will not automatically guarantee a 10-year Driver's License card.

Caindec cited Section 9 of RA 10930 that the LTO shall institutionalize a point system which shall be used to assess the fitness and eligibility of driver applicants for their desired license transactions. The system shall likewise be utilized as the primary tool to identify, deter, and penalize repeat offenders of traffic laws and ordinances.

Furthermore, the LTO shall establish and maintain a registry where demerit points incurred by every driver shall be recorded, stored, and accessed for convenient monitoring, Sec. 9 of RA 10930 reads.

Caindec added that if the renewing applicant has previous violations in the last five (5) years, they may only be given the 5-year Driver's License validity or may undergo a mandatory driver's reorientation course.

Renewing a driver's license will only cost P585 for on-time renewal of Standard Professional and Non-Professional license.  Excluding the P67.63 computer fee and penalty for late renewal which will range from P75 to P225.

LTO's Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) Online Portal offers CDE Presentation Materials which include: Road Safety, Road and Traffic Rules, Special Laws (light vehicle), Special Laws (Motorcycle and Tricycle), Other Regulations, and General Information. (Photos: LTO/Google Images)