The Land Transportation Office (LTO) may soon require personal mobility devices like electric scooters (e-scooters) to be registered, while riders will have to possess a driver’s license, an official of the agency said during a recent radio interview.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo on Tuesday, LTO chief Edgar Galvante confirmed that the agency has already submitted a draft copy of the guidelines to Department of Transportation (DOTr) and is now waiting for approval of Secretary Art Tugade.
“Generally, lahat ng mga sasakyan, either electric- or gasoline-powered at gumagamit ng ating mga pampublikong lansangan, kailangan yan ay rehistrado at ang gumagamit ay may drivers license. Yun ang isa sa mga guidelines ng draft. Inaantay na lang ang approval ni Secretary,” Galvante said.
Once approved, the department will issue an administrative order that will oversee the regulation of all kinds of electric vehicles, including e-scooters and two-wheeled e-bikes.
The LTO official further explained that under the draft guidelines, electric scooters and e-bike will fall into categories with limited use. Those on the lower category will only be allowed inside private compounds like villages and subdivisions, while the higher categories may cross main roads but not traverse along highways and main avenues. If allowed on public roads, riders must always wear protective gear.
“Ito ay na-clasify depende sa bigat at bilis at kung saang mga lansangan pwedeng gamitin. Dahil sa nature nito at gaan, maaring mag-cause ito ng danger sa gumagamit kung hindi tama ang paggamit,” he added.
Galvante emphasized that requiring licenses and registration for e-scooters and e-bikes is necessary for the safety of riders and welfare of road users.