Validity of PH drivers’ licenses now 5 years, can be extended to 10
Driver’s licenses have always been valid for only three years. However, this may soon be a thing of the past once President Rodrigo Duterte signs a law extending their validity to as much as 10 years.
THIS MAY SOON BE A 10-YEAR LICENSE. A bill now awaits the signature of President Duterte that will extend the validity of driver’s license from 3 to 5 years./IMAGE ltoexamreviewer.com
The bicameral conference committee approved on Wednesday, May 31 a bill that would extend the validity of driver’s licenses from the current three years to five years. Those without traffic violations with the five-year validity can renew their licenses for a further five, giving them a 10-year license upon renewal.
The bill seeks to amend present laws and institutionalize Administrative Order No. 2016-34 issued by the Land Transportation Office late last year which extended the validity of driver’s licenses to five years.
Also read: NCR driver’s licenses now valid for 5 years; other regions to follow in November
Other provisions in the law include removal of service for anyone in the LTO found guilty of gross negligence (i.e. letting fixers work within the LTO), and a hefty Php 20,000 fine for anyone who tries to falsify documents, bribe an officer, or illegally obtain a driver’s license, along with a two-year disqualification from getting one.
Offending drivers who figure in road crashes will have their license revoked for four years if the crash results in death or physical injury. The bill also requires the LTO to put up an online process for the renewal of both professional and non-professional licenses one year after the law takes effect.
“We passed this measure to incentivize our drivers, cut red tape, and make it easier to apply for a license; in return for the privilege, they need to follow the law and be qualified in order to get the full advantage that this law will bestow upon them,” said Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services.
Source: The Philippine Star, Inquirer.net, Autoindustriya.com, Senate Press Release, Rappler
