New requirement to get driver’s license results in confusion

Confusion was the most common reaction among applicants at the Metro Manila and Davao branches of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as the agency began requiring those applying for drivers’ licenses and student permits to submit online copies of their medical certificates from accredited clinics.

Since Monday, the LTO personnel in the two regional offices have been fielding questions about the new policy as mandated by Memorandum Circular No. 2.

The memorandum instructs all LTO offices to accept only online copies of medical examination certificates in a bid to digitize and streamline the application process.

LTO branches in Bicol, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas regions will follow suit next week, with offices in Mindanao the last to implement the policy on Feb. 4.

However, applicants like Ramon Sunico had trouble renewing their driving licenses when the onsite clinic for a Pasig licensing site refused to accept more than 60 applicants.

Sunico was told only that the clinic was “having problems” with its server. “Some of [the applicants] have been there since 5 a.m.,” he said.

The LTO assured the public that more clinics would be accredited soon to speed up the process.