Minimum driving age to be raised

MANILA, Philippines - The minimum driving age will be raised from 16 to 17 for students and from 17 to 18 for non-professionals under new rules to be implemented starting next month by the Department of Transportation and Communications.

DOTC officials said the move aimed to ensure fitness and capability of drivers on the road.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) raised the minimum age requirements for student’s permit (SP) and non-professional driver’s license (NPDL).

“The age of majority is 18 so we should follow that,” LTO assistant secretary Alfonso Tan Jr. said.

The new administrative orders covering the licenses issued by the LTO, published today, would take effect after 15 days or by November.

“The revised rules will serve two purposes: first, they will better ensure the fitness and capability of license card holders to drive on our streets; and second, they will streamline the application process and make it more convenient for the public,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said in a press conference yesterday.

Under the new rules, the LTO is imposing higher standards and requirements.

For instance, applicants for professional driver’s license (PDL) to operate light vehicles must have had a valid SP for at least six months prior to application.

For heavy vehicles, the PDL applicant must have either a valid NPDL for at least one year prior to application, or a valid PDL to operate light vehicles for at least six months prior to the same.

At present, a five-month holder of an SP or a four-month holder of an NPDL may apply for a PDL.

Apart for higher standards for PDL applications, the government will not grant PDLs to applicants who have had two or more citations for reckless driving during the validity period of their existing license to promote disciplined and law-abiding driving.

The restrictions will apply to the four types of PDL examinations: tricycles, light vehicles, heavy vehicles and conductors.