LAND TRANSPORTATION-RELATED LAWS /REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10930 €“ “ISSUANCE OF DRIVER€™S LICENSE”

AN ACT RATIONALIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE POLICY REGARDING DRIVER’S LICENSE BY EXTENDING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF DRIVERS’ LICENSES, AND PENALIZING ACTS IN VIOLATION OF ITS ISSUANCE AND APPLICATION AMENDING FOR THOSE PURPOSES SECTION 23 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, AS AMENDED BY BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 398 AND EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1011, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE

ISSUANCES OF DRIVER’S LICENSE, FEES AND VALIDITY

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Head of his/her deputies find that the applicant possesses the necessary qualification and proficiency in the operation of motor vehicles, is able to read and write any of the official languages or a major dialect and knows how to read and interpret various traffic signs, signals and road markings, a professional or non-professional license may be issued to such applicant upon the payment of the fee prescribed in accordance with law, and which shall not cost more than the government’s procurement expense but prior to the issuance of said license.

The applicant shall present himself/herself in person and have his/her photograph taken by the LTO. All drivers’ licenses issued shall be signed in the presence of the LTO Head or his/her deputies shall bear, among others, the full name, date of birth height, weight, sex, color of eyes, blood type, complete current address, biometrics, license number and its date of issue and expiration.

The LTO shall now use such process or adopt such measure as will prevent any alteration or falsification of a license or will enable the LTO to detect any unauthorized license.

All drivers’ licenses shall be valid for five (5) years reckoned from the birthdate of the licensee, unless sooner revoked or suspended: However, any holder of a professional or nonprofessional driver’s license who has not committed any violation of Republic Act No. 4136 and other traffic laws, rules and regulations during the five (5)-year period shall be entitled to a renewal of such license for ten (10) years, subject to the restrictions as may be imposed by the LTO.

The local government units (LGUs), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) or other agencies lawfully issuing traffic violation receipts shall report within a reasonable time the details of the traffic violation to the LTO. The LTO, shall serve as the repository of all traffic violation records.

ESTABLISHMENT OF STRICTER RULES BEFORE THE ISSUANCE OF DRIVER’S LICENSE

The LTO shall promulgate prerequisites and guidelines before the grant of drivers’ licenses to ensure that these are issued only to deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills and knowledge on road safety and proper road courtesy.

“Toward this end, the conduct of theoretical and practical examinations, among others, must sufficiently measure the competency of drivers and must be designed to the type of license applied for its corresponding restrictions: Provided, That for professional drivers, the tests must be appropriated to the vehicle and type of service the applicant intends to operate.”

PENALTIES

A. APPLICANT

A fine in the amount of twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) shall be imposed upon an applicant for a driver’s license found to have committed any of the following acts:

“(1) Willful misrepresentation with respect to material

information in one’s application;

“(2) Connivance with the officer in the irregular conduct of

examinations or issuance of license;

“(3) Falsification of documents; or

“(4) Cheating during examinations.

Any or all of the acts above mentioned shall be punished whether or not a license was granted by reason of such misrepresentation, connivance, falsification or cheating.

In addition to the above mentioned fine, the driver’s license of an erring applicant, if one is granted by reason of such misrepresentation, connivance, falsification or cheating, shall be revoked, and the applicant shall be prohibited from applying for a period of two (2) years. The repetition of such offense shall warrant the perpetual disqualification from being granted a driver’s license in addition to the fine above-stated; and

A holder of a driver’s license who acts in violation of the provisions of republic Act No. 4136 and other existing traffic laws shall suffer corresponding penalties as may be provided by law and other issuances.

In case of death or physical injuries resulting in the loss of any part of the victim’s body or the use thereof, insanity, imbecility, impotence or blindness, or incapacity to work for more than ninety (90) days, the license of the offending driver shall be revoked for a period of (4) years, after a finding by the court that such driver was negligent or at fault.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTO shall, in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and other concerned agencies and private stakeholders, aggressively and regularly conduct a nationwide information, education ad communication (IEC) campaign on road safety, including the list of measures implemented pursuant to and violations punishable under this Act.

B. OFFICER

Any officer who, in any manner, issues a driver’s license without the necessary examinations, connives with the applicant for the irregular issuance of a license, or who, by gross negligence, issues a driver’s license to an unqualified applicant shall suffer a penalty of removal from the service with all the accessory penalties attached thereto.

Source: https://portal.lto.gov.ph/