Starting in April 2020, student drivers will be required to attend the mandatory 15-hour driving seminar before issuance of their permits.
Land Transportation Office has made this announcement as an implementation of their Memorandum Circular 2019-2176 issued December last year.
The driving course is said to be divided into three sessions, including Introduction to traffic laws, Land Transportation-Related Special Laws, and general driving. These courses are available in driving course centers.
To be able to offer the 15-hour seminar, driving course centers must first be accredited, which lasts for two years. Instructors must score at least 85% to be able to issue the theoretical exam.
“Dapat i-inculcate na natin sa utak nila ‘yung batas. Kasi in the first place, ang drivers license, pribelehiyo lang yan. Hindi po ‘yan karapatan. Pwede namin tanggalin sa’yo yan kapag hindi ka sumusunod sa batas trapiko,” LTO Deputy Director for Law Enforcement Roberto Valera said.
In a previous report, the chief of LTO Licensing Section Richard Cortez said that driving instructors are the best educators who can show young drivers the ropes.
“Hindi ka basta basta uupo sa manibela na parang nanghuhula lang sa instructions sa kapitbahay, sa kapatid, sa magulang. Dadaan ka sa instructor mismo,” Cortez said.
Cortez added that LTO is planning to set up its own driving schools in each region, to provide affordable driving classes through the schools.
Applicants would also be required to take an automated exam before they can apply for a driver’s license. (With reports from GMA News)
