Duterte: Nationwide rollout of driver's licenses with 10-year validity set for December

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has promised to start the nationwide issuance of drivers' licenses with 10-year validity by December this year. "By December 2021, the LTO commits that all its offices nationwide will be issuing licenses with a 10-year validity," Duterte said in his prerecorded Talk to the People delivered Monday night but aired Tuesday morning. The LTO on Oct. 28 began rolling out the new driver's license that is valid for 10 years in its licensing offices in Quezon City. The LTO branches in Metro Manila followed suit this month. "The rest of the offices in the NCR (National Capital Region) shall start issuance of the same in November 2021, to be followed by all other regions progressively," Duterte said.

Duterte said it would be hassle-free for motorists to secure a driver's license in the country. "Ang lisensiya ng ating mga [motorist] sa driving sa lahat is good for 10 years. Wala nang renewal-renewal na madalian. You have 10 years to drive. Baka hindi mo maubos ‘yang period na ‘yan sa (The motorists' license for driving is good for 10 years. No need to renew it for a shorter period of time. The extended validity period is too long for [driving]). Ten years is a... It’s a long haul," he said. On Aug. 2, 2017, Duterte inked Republic Act (RA) 10930 which amends the Land Transportation and Traffic Code to "establish a system that promotes the ease of access to government services and efficient transportation regulation favorable to the people. RA 10930 extends the validity period of licenses from five to 10 years from the previous three years for drivers with no violations. In renewing the driver's license, motorists are required to take the comprehensive driver's education program (CDEP) exam. Motorists who have breached traffic rules will be required to take additional CDEP reviewers. On Tuesday, the LTO said the exam and educational materials that are part of the CDEP can be accessed cost-free through the LTO"s Land Transportation Management System website portal lto.gov.ph. (PNA)