Bicam committee OKs bill extending driver’s license validity

Senators and members of the House of Representatives sitting as a bicameral committee tackle the bill extending the validity of driver’s license to up to 10 years. MAILA AGER/INQUIRER.net

The congressional bicameral conference committee on Wednesday approved a bill extending the validity period of driver’s license from three to five years or up to 10 years for those who have not committed traffic violations.

The bill had already been approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives but they had to sit down in the bicameral committee to reconcile their versions of the measure.

During the bicameral meeting, the House contingent agreed to adopt the Senate’s version of the measure that would entitle holders of professional and non-professional drivers’ licenses, who have not committed any violation during the five-year-period, another five-year extension.

In the original proposal of the House, the validity period of driver’s license should be “up to a period of five years” subject to restrictions that maybe imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The Senate version, however, specifically proposed that all drivers’ licenses, except for student permits, should be valid for five years or up to 10 years if a holder has not committed any violation.

READ: Poe presents bill on extending driver’s license validity to 10 years

Meanwhile, the Senate contingent adopted the penalties for certain acts being proposed by the House. The Senate’ version of the bill contained no penalties for specific acts.

Senator Grace Poe, who presided over the meeting as chair of the Senate committee on public services, said she hopes the bill would be ratified by both chambers this Wednesday, the last day of session before the adjournment of the first regular session of the 17th Congress.

“Gusto na nating ihabol pareho sa house at (Senate) para kaagad agad nang ma-implement (We want it passed in both the House and the Senate so that it will be implemented right away),” Poe told reporters after the hearing.

Once ratified by both chambers, the bill would be transmitted to the President for signature. IDL