The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will suspend the issuance of student driver’s permit starting July 1 to pave the way for the implementation of the 15-hour mandatory seminar for aspiring drivers.
In an interview over DZMM TeleRadyo on Monday, LTO chief Edgar Galvante said that beginning August 3, applicants will have to undergo a 15-hour seminar before they can secure their student driver’s permit.
“Effective July 1, isu-suspend muna namin ang pagi-issue ng student permit kasi by August ire-require na, na dapat ‘yung naga-apply ng student permit went through this 15 hours of theoretical session,” Galvante said.
“August 3 ire-require na, na kailangan mag daan ka sa theoretical session kaya yung mga driving schools at saka LTO mismo meron na kaming set up kung saan kailangan mag enroll sila,” he added.
The implementation of the mandatory training for aspiring drivers is part of the agency’s efforts to promote responsible driving.
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The decision came following the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s report that around 12,000 drivers in Metro Manila committed an average of three traffic violations.
Galvante earlier said that the agency will offer the 15-hour training program to applicants as an option to those who don’t have the means to enrol in driving schools. The training will not be offered for free, however.
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Before getting behind the wheel, aspiring drivers have to apply for a student permit at the LTO as a prerequisite to securing a non-professional or professional driver’s license.
For non-professional, a person must have had the student’s permit for at least a month before applying for a driver’s license while those who are aiming to get a professional license have to train for five months in order to legally drive public utility vehicles.
Meanwhile, Galvante clarified that as of the moment, the agency’s online portal can only accommodate applications of renewal of driver’s licenses.
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“Yung application na magagamit dito sa ngayon is ‘yung renewal ng driver’s license na pwedeng online na mai-submit nila ‘yung kanilang detalye ng kanilang application at kung wala silang violation, makukumpleto ‘yung proseso at ma-indicate nila kung saan sila pupunta para i-pickup ang printed license nila,” he said.
The LTO earlier launched its Land Transportation Management System. The portal is part of the agency’s efforts in transitioning to a ‘new normal’ amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.