AN ACT RATIONALIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE POLICY REGARDING DRIVER'S LICENSE BY EXTENDING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF DRIVERS' LICENSES, AND PENALIZING ACTS IN VIOLATION OF ITS ISSUANCE AND APPLICATION AMENDING FOR THOSE PURPOSES

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of July, two thousand sixteen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10930

AN ACT RATIONALIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE POLICY REGARDING DRIVER'S LICENSE BY EXTENDING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF DRIVERS' LICENSES, AND PENALIZING ACTS IN VIOLATION OF ITS ISSUANCE AND APPLICATION AMENDING FOR THOSE PURPOSES SECTION 23 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, AS AMENDED BY BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 398 AND EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1011, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE

Be it enacted by the Senate House of Representatives of Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to establish a system that promotes the ease of access to government services and efficient transportation regulation favorable to the people.

Section 2. Section 23 of Republic Act No. 4136, otherwise known as the "Land Transportation and Traffic Code", as amended, is hereby further amended and read as follows:

Section 3. A new section is hereby added after Section 23 of the same Act and numbered as Section 23 of the same Act and numbered as Section 23-A, to read as follows:

Section 4. A new section is hereby added after the Section 23-A of the same Act and numbered as 23-B, to read as follows:

Section 5. Review of Penalties. - The Secretary of the DOTr, upon the recommendation of the LTO, after due hearing and publication shall have the power to increase or adjust the fine herein imposed once every five (5) years: Provided, That in no case shall the increase be more than five (5%) of the fine sought to be increased.

Section 6. Research and Development. - The LTO shall conduct continuing research and development to ensure the efficient administration of the drivers' licensing system.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOTr, with the assistance of the LTO, the LTFRB, and the MMDA, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1449 and House Bill No. 5648 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on May 13, 2017.

Approved: August 2, 2017

(Sgd.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines

"Sec. 23 Issuances of Driver's License, Fees and Validity. - If, after such examination, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Head or his/her deputies find that the applicant possesses the necessary qualification and profciency in the operation of motor vehicles, is able to read and write any of the official languages or a major dialect and knows how to read and interpret various traffic signs, signals and road markings, a professional or non-professional license may be issued to such applicant upon payment of the fee prescribed in accordance with law, and which shall not cost more than the government's procurement expense, but prior to the issuance of said license, the applicant shall present himself/herself in person and have his/her photograph taken by the LTO. All drivers' license issued shall be signed in the presence of LTO Head or his/her deputies and shall bear among others, the full name, date of birth, height, weight, sex, color of eyes, blood type, complete current address, biometrics, license number, and its date of issue and expiration.

"In the issuance of licenses, the LTO shall now use such process or adopt such measure as will prevent any alteration or falsification of a license or will enable the LTO to detect any unauthorized license. The LTO shall create an online process for the renewal of professional and nonprofessional licenses within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act.

"Except for student permits, all drivers' licenses shall be valid for five (5) years reckoned from the birthdate of the licensee, unless sooner revoked or suspended: Provided, however, That subject to Section 26 hereof, any holder of a professional or nonprofessional driver's license who has not committed any violation of Republic Act No. 4136 and other traffice laws, rules and regulations during the five (5)-year period shall be entitled to a renewal of such license for ten (10) years, subject to the restrictions as may be imposed by the LTO.

"The local government units (LGUs), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) or other agencies lawfully issuing traffic violation to the LTO, which shall serve as the repository of all traffic violation records."

"Sec. 23-A Establishment of Stricter Rules Before the Issuance of Driver's License. - The LTO shall promulgate prerequisites and guidelines before the grant of drivers' licenses to ensure that these are issued only to deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills and knowledge on road safety and proper road courtesy.

"Toward this end, the conduct of theoretical and practical examinations, among others, must sufficiently measure the competency of drivers and must be designed to the type of license applied for its corresponding restrictions: Provided, That for professional drivers, the tests must be appropriated to the vehicle and type of service the applicant intends to operate."

Sec. 23-B. Penalties. - Without prejudice to the penalties provided under the Revised Penal Code and other applicable laws, the penalties corresponding to the following acts shall be imposed by the appropriate agency or officer: