LTO Implements New Point System for Driver’s License Renewal
The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10930 has recently been signed and implemented by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Under this, the validity period of driver’s licenses will be extended and a new point system has been created to assess applicants for license renewal. What does this hold for drivers and motorists?
According to its general provisions, RA No. 10930 aims to “rationalize and strengthen the policy regarding driver’s license by extending the validity period of driver’s licenses and to ensure that driver’s licenses are issued only to deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills and knowledge on road safety and proper road courtesy.”
From three years, the validity of driver’s licenses is now five years and 10 years upon renewal. Stricter rules for the issuance of driver’s license are also under the provisions.
Also read: LTO Now Allows License Renewal on Saturdays
Most importantly, the LTO has created a point system that will be used to “assess the fitness and eligibility of driver applicants for their desired license transactions.” The point system can also be a tool to track down repeat offenders of traffic laws and ordinances.
Drivers’ offenses will be recorded in the LTO demerit point of registry upon commission.
These are the three categories of violations and their corresponding demerit points:
- Grave Violations – 5 demerit points
- Less Grave Violations – 3 demerit points
- Light Violations – 1 demerit point
Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers will get twice the demerit point in case of violation.
Also read: Expats’ Guide to Driving Laws in the Philippines
Accumulation of demerit points by drivers will be calculated from the date of the initial issuance or last renewal of his/her driver’s license to the day immediately preceding the date of his/her subsequent renewal. The total accumulated points will then ensue the following repercussions:
- One or more demerit points will prohibit a driver from changing the classification of his/her driver’s license for a certain period of time (maximum of one year).
- At least five demerit points will require a driver to complete a driver’s reorientation course to be conducted by LTO or an accredited service provider.
- Drivers with ten demerit points aside from completing the driver’s reorientation course shall also be required the theoretical examination before he/she may be allowed to renew his/her driver’s license. Further, for every ten accumulated demerit points or thrice repetition of a violation, the driver must undergo a mandatory driver’s reorientation course conducted by the LTO or an accredited service provider or a training seminar conducted by the PUV Drivers’ Academy of the LTFRB for PUV drivers.
- Drivers with 40 accumulated demerit points will lead to the revocation of his/her driver’s license.
You may know more about the IRR of RA No. 10930 here.
Source: LTO
