Still no driver’s license cards; LTO eases rules

MANILA, Philippines - Temporary driver’s licenses will not be stamped with a 150-day validity period while the shortage of license cards has not been resolved.

Spokesman Jason Fernandez of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday said the expiry date of the driver’s license will instead be stamped on temporary licenses.

“An often complaint is that they keep on coming back to reclaim the license cards, but unfortunately after a period of time it’s still not available,” he said. “So, they opted to remove the validity period and place the license expiry date so our kababayans won’t keep on coming back.”

Fernandez said the LTO has experienced a shortage in license cards since the supplier failed to deliver due to port congestion.

In an advisory published in The STAR, the LTO said the validity period of the temporary driver’s license and the expiry date indicated in the license shall be considered as the temporary license’s lifespan/validity period.

“No violation for the use of expired TDL shall be charged until the issue on the shortage/non-availability of plastic cards is fully addressed,” the LTO said.

Drivers badge

Drivers of public utility vehicles will be required to undergo a driving course at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and its accredited schools.

PUV drivers must get a driver’s badge even if they have acquired a professional driver’s license from  the LTO .

A driver’s badge will be valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Chairman Winston Ginez of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said 

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Order No. 2011-25, the Driver Proficiency Standards, requires PUV drivers to undergo training programs, competency assessment and certification by TESDA.

“There should be an official training for drivers in accordance with the programs,” he said.

“The TESDA has a module to ensure the efficiency of the drivers. So, this is what we are requiring right now to strictly implement that all drivers in the transport, that if this will be realized, should really undergo training to prevent erring drivers.” 

Ginez said the LTFRB is planning to have TESDA accredit its drivers’ academies nationwide to provide free driving courses to all PUV drivers.

“Once we are TESDA accredited, on our own, we can give for free training in all our regions,” he said.

Drivers will have to pay a certain amount if they choose to enroll in TESDA’s accredited schools, he added. 

A written assessment and actual practical tests will be given to all PUV drivers after they have completed the training program, Ginez said.

An LTFRB memorandum circular published in The STAR stated that “only drivers who are TESDA certified and issued with LTFRB’s badge will be allowed to drive and operate all types of public utility vehicles.”

The driver’s badge program will also help professional drivers to improve their skills and driving knowledge should they apply abroad, the memorandum said.

LTFRB member Ariel Inton said operators will be able to monitor through the driver’s badge program the driving history of drivers.