Duterte signs law extending validity of drivers’ licenses to 5 years

Driver’s license (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Published: 6:11 p.m., Aug. 2, 2017 | Updated: 12:07 a.m., Aug. 3, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on Wednesday a measure extending the validity of drivers’ licenses to five years from the current three years.

Republic Act No. 10930 amends Section 23 of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act No. 4136) to extend the validity period of drivers’ licenses.

“Except for student permits, all drivers’ licenses shall be valid for five years reckoned from the birth date of the licensee, unless sooner revoked or suspended,” the new law says.

Professional or nonprofessional drivers who do not violate the law or traffic regulations during the five-year period can renew their driver’s license for a validity of 10 years, “subject to the restrictions” of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Local government units and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and other government agencies that issue traffic violation receipts should report these to the LTO, the law said.

The LTO will serve as the repository of all traffic violation records, it added.

The law said officials who give out drivers’ licenses to unqualified applicants face dismissal from government service

Under Section 23, stricter rules and guidelines regarding the issuance of licenses will be enforced by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to assure that licenses are issued to applicants with “sufficient driving skills and knowledge on road safety and proper road courtesy.” –With a report from Airei Kim Guanga, trainee /atm