The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will no longer require regular medical examinations for holders of driver licenses with five-year and 10-year validity periods.
LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said that the move aims to alleviate the burden on motorists who are periodically required to secure medical clearances.
Under existing rules, five-year license holders must obtain medical clearances during the third birthday from license issuance, while those with 10-year licenses undergo medical examinations on the fourth and seventh birthdays from the issuance of their license.
However, Tugade emphasized that failure to undergo periodic medical exams has not been proven to cause road accidents, citing studies, data, and consultations.
Therefore, the mandatory medical examination under LTO memorandum will be required before applying for and during renewal of a driver’s license.
Additionally, the LTO has capped driving school fees nationwide starting April 15 to address concerns over expensive rates.
Under the new guidelines, accredited driving institutions must provide the mandatory 15-hour theoretical driving course in two days, with the maximum prescribed fees for PDCs varying depending on the license code.