QuestionsQuestions (IRR of Republic Act No. 10930)
It is an IRR promulgated pursuant to Section 7 of RA 10930 to prescribe rules rationalizing and strengthening the driver’s licensing policy by extending license validity, ensuring licenses are issued only to deserving applicants with sufficient skills and knowledge on road safety and courtesy.
A Student-driver’s Permit is the authority valid for one (1) year, granted to a person who desires to learn to operate a motor vehicle when accompanied by a duly licensed driver with the appropriate restrictions code/s for the vehicle.
NPDL authorizes operation of a private motor vehicle. PDL authorizes any driver hired or paid for driving/operating a motor vehicle, whether for private use or for hire to the public.
Point System is the method of accruing demerit points over time to determine conditions for renewal, prohibition from certain transactions, and revocation. Demerit point is the arithmetical integer value assigned to and accumulated by a driver-violator for each corresponding traffic violation.
Traffic violations are classified as Grave, Less Grave, or Light. Grave involves willful/wanton disregard posing real threat of serious injury or substantial property damage; Less Grave endangers or likely to endanger persons or property but not as serious as Grave; Light refers to minor/simple infractions not otherwise classified as Grave or Less Grave.
After theoretical and practical examinations, if the applicant is qualified, the applicant must pay the prescribed fee, present in person for photograph taking, and have the license signed in the presence of the LTO head/deputies; the license must bear specified personal and biometric details plus license number and issue/expiration dates.
Except for SPs, driver’s licenses are valid for five (5) years from the birthdate of the licensee unless sooner revoked or suspended. If the holder has not committed violations of RA 4136 and other traffic laws, they are entitled to renewal for ten (10) years (subject to Section 26 of RA 4136 as amended).
Demerit points are recorded in the LTO demerit point registry in respect of the day the violation was committed. They are recorded when the driver admits the apprehension, does not file a contest within the contest period, or contests but gets an unfavorable resolution after adjudication. Demerit points are counted individually per violation even if multiple violations arise in a single apprehension.
Grave violations receive 5 demerit points; Less Grave violations receive 3; Light violations receive 1.
Drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) must meter double the demerit points for violations committed while operating a For Hire motor vehicle. It also applies to drivers of private motor vehicles operating as a PUV without proper authority from LTFRB.
It is reckoned from the date of initial issuance or last renewal of the driver’s license to the day immediately preceding the date of the next subsequent renewal.
If a renewal applicant has accrued at least five (5) demerit points during the accumulation period, they must complete a driver’s reorientation course. If they accumulate ten (10) or more total demerit points, they must additionally pass the theoretical examination (subject to examination requirements under RA 4136).
A driver must undergo mandatory reorientation after notification for every ten (10) accumulated demerit points or when the same violation is committed at least three (3) times during the license validity. Failure to complete within thirty (30) days from the date of the last apprehension causes suspension of the license upon prior notice until attendance is complied with.
If a driver accumulates at least forty (40) demerit points, the driver’s license is revoked immediately without need for proceeding for two (2) years, reckoned from the date of settlement of fines and penalties.
Based on demerit points from the date of issuance: 1–2 points: 3 months; 3–4 points: 6 months; 5 or more points: 1 year (counted from the date of settlement of fines and penalties).
No carry-over: demerit points revert to zero upon renewal. However, violation history is archived as part of the driver’s permanent records for legitimate disclosure. For contested apprehensions not resolved until the expiry of the license, demerit points accrue only on the subsequent accumulation period or when resolved with finality.
A P20,000 fine is imposed on the applicant. Additionally, if a license was granted due to such acts, the applicant’s license is revoked and the applicant is prohibited from applying for two (2) years; repetition warrants perpetual disqualification plus the stated fine.
They must upload reports online when available; otherwise transmit apprehension reports in LTO-prescribed form within ten (10) working days. Driver’s licenses in LGU/MMDA apprehension reports are placed on alarm in the LTO system within 24 hours, but no demerit points are incurred until a complete updated report is submitted, indicating whether the apprehension was admitted, contested and the adjudication outcome, submitted not later than three (3) working days after the contest period lapses.