By Alec Go
Those with driver’s licenses with five to 10 years validity will no longer be obliged to undergo periodic medical exam, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced Sunday, April 16.
LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said the decision was based on data and consultations.
“There’s no empirical data saying that the periodic medical examination could prevent road crashes,” Tugade said, believing that the new policy will provide relief to the public.
“Bukod sa hindi na sila kailangang gumastos ng paulit-ulit para sa medical examinations, maiiwasan din ang dagdag-abala lalo na sa mga mahahalaga ang oras para sa trabaho,” he said.
The LTO said “the medical examination shall only be required sixty days prior to or on the specified renewal date” for those who will be issued a license with 5 or 10 years of validity.
Meanwhile, Filipinos with driver’s licenses but working or residing in other countries will be obliged to undergo a medical examination 30 days upon arrival in the country before they are allowed to drive.
The move followed Tugade’s directive to amend the LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2285 or the Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10930.
Such memorandum requests a periodic medical exam on top of a regular medical examination for the application or renewal of a driver’s license.
