BAGUIO CITY– The Cordillera office of the Land Transportation Office (LTO-CAR) will be implementing the 10-year validity of driver’s licenses to be issued by November to allow individuals to have a longer period to use their licenses issued by the agency. However, LTO-CAR regional director Francis Ray Almora stated that those individuals interested to avail of the 10-year validity of their driver’s licenses should first undergo the required 8-hour refresher course offered by accredited driving schools in the different parts of the region.
He disclosed that the aforesaid requirement for individuals wanting to avail of the 10-year validity period of their licenses will help in properly educating the drivers of their duties and responsibilities to prevent the occurrence of untoward incidents along the roads that will compromise the safety of the public.
Initially, the 10-year validity of the driver’s licenses issued by the LTO was rolled out in the National Capital Region (NCR) prior to its roll out in the different regions in the country.
Under the pertinent provisions of Memorandum Circular No. 2021-2285, any driver whose license is valid for at least 5 years and who has not committed any violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 4136 and other traffic laws, rules and regulations during the 5-year period shall be entitled to a renewal of such license for 10 years, subject to the restrictions as may be imposed by the LTO, including those that had been provided, otherwise, he or she is only entitled to a 5-year driver’s license.
Nonetheless, any person entitled to a 10-year validity license may choose to renew his or her driver’s license for one that is valid for only 5 years
In addition to the periodic medical examination required, a driver of a motor vehicle involved on road crashes resulting in the loss of human life, physical injuries or substantial damage to properties shall be subjected to a medical examination to determine his or her physical or mental fitness to drive. The driver shall submit himself or herself for medical examination at any LTO-accredited medical clinics or government health facility within 72 hours from the time of the road crash or from his or her release from detention or medical treatment, if applicable.
Further, all driver’s license holders shall undergo mandatory periodic medical examinations during the validity period of their license in any LTO-accredited medical clinics or government health facility to ensure their fitness for the extended duration of the license.
For licensees who will be issued a 5-year driver’s license, the periodic medical examination shall be scheduled on the 3rd birthdate from the issuance of the license.
On the other hand, licensees who will be issued a 10 year validity driver’s license shall undergo the periodic medical examination on the 4th and 7th birth dates from the issuance of the license.
In both instances, licensees may undergo the period medical examination within 60 days before the specified birthdate.
All LTO-accredited medical clinics shall comply with the requirements of the law where senior citizens availing of the same shall be entitled to the grant of 20 percent discount and exemption from the value added tax on medical services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in all private hospital, medical facilities and out-patient clinics. By HENT
