ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to implement a stricter policy on the issuance of a driver’s license to new applicants starting April 6.
Lawyer Aminola Abaton, LTO regional director, said Tuesday that all new applicants must pass 15 hours of theoretical driving lessons from an accredited driving school before they can apply for a driver’s license.
Abaton said an automated logbook and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed in accredited driving schools to ensure that driver's license applicants have undergone driving lessons.
He said they will also conduct regular visits and audit of the driving schools to ensure there is actual conduct of driving classes.
“This move is to ensure that the applicants will not just pay the instructor to be able to apply for a driver’s license,” Abaton said.
He said the applicants would also be required to take an exam, which will be automated, before they can apply for a driver’s license.
After acquiring a student permit, applicants would need to undergo another eight hours of practical driving, to be supervised by the
LTO, in preparation for the issuance of a non-professional driver’s license.
He said the program is part of the vision of the LTO to only issue a driver’s license to people who have the capability to drive to minimize, if not eradicate, road accidents. (PNA)
