LTO-7 suspends driving school, instructor in Danao City for fraudulent issuance of TDCs

CEBU CITY – The Land Transportation Office (LTO-7) ordered the suspension of NC Tiger Driving School in Danao City and one of its instructors, Luchen P. Tero in violations of the fraudulent issuance of Theoretical Driving Certificates under LTO Memorandum Circular No. 2021-2284.

LTO-7 regional director Victor Emmanuel Caindec signed the suspension order and was served on January 6, 2023 and received by NC Tiger Driving School Danao City Branch. 

The suspension stemmed from complaints that Caindec received in September 2022 via his social media account which warranted a series of investigation done by the LTO-7 Regional Accreditation Committee (RAC) and the legal division head, Atty.Vincent Francis Bien Santiago.

Caindec said, he received complaints from several individuals who felt short-changed by driving schools that don’t conduct the required 8-hour/day theoretical training for TDC certificates, a requirement of LTO for the issuance of a student permit.

Based on the investigation, NC Tiger Driving School and instructor Tero conduct two sessions per day of TDC instead of the one session per day as mandated under LTO MC-2021-2284, which states the Rules and Regulation on the Accreditation, Supervision, and Control of Driving Institutions, and the Standardization of Driver Education.

The investigation also showed that NC Tiger Driving School conducted morning and afternoon sessions for 40 students per session of TDC applicants. 

Following the actual site/ocular visit of the Monitoring Committee members at NC Tiger Driving School Danao Branch, it has been concluded that its two classrooms can only accommodate a minimum of 27 and 24 students per instructor per session per day, which clearly violates the classroom requirement stated under section 10-B of LTO MC-2021-2284. 

Under the said circular driving schools can only "conduct the minimum 15-hour TDC in three (3) days, one session per day,” the investigation report read.

Thus, the order penalizes NC Tiger Driving School Danao City Branch with a P10,000 fine and a suspension of accreditation for three months and its instructor - Mr. Tero a fine of P10,000 and suspension of accreditation for six months.

Caindec orders region-wide audits

Following the said incident, Caindec has directed LTO7-RAC Operations Division and Legal to conduct region-wide audits and expand its investigation on reports of rampant “no-test, same-day certification issuance” schemes by accredited driving schools or simply known by the public as issuance of "no show" certificates.

This order also covers capacity and compliance audits of accredited medical clinics and accredited dealers across Central Visayas.  Caindec also revealed that several “show-cause” orders are being prepared based on initial findings, covering several other driving schools.

Caindec stated that the move to ensure proper compliance by accredited entities, is in line with the thrust of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) for improved governance under the leadership of Secretary Jaime Bautista and with direction and guidance from LTO Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade. (Photos: LTO7-FB/Google Images)