Rules on Student Driver's Permit Issuance

The Order affirms that the issuance of Student Driver’s Permit (SDP) had been simplified “to the barest minimum of requirements and procedures” for public convenience.
The Order addresses cases and attempts to “sabotage the system that is in place.”
The Order therefore promulgates new rules for the observance of all concerned to protect the permit and licensing system.

Once an SDP expires one year after its issuance, the holder must apply for a new permit.
For a new permit application after expiry, the new apprenticeship period must be reckoned from the issuance of the new permit.
The conversion of the SDP into a license must be done within its one (1) year validity.
An expired SDP must not be renewed and must not be used as the basis for a license application upon the effectivity of the Administrative Order.

If an SDP is lost, a duplicate may be issued in its stead.
A duplicate SDP is valid only up to the remaining portion of the validity of the original permit.
If the lost SDP has already expired, the student driver must apply for a new permit.
For a new permit after expiry, the new apprenticeship period must be reckoned from the issuance of the new permit.

No application for conversion of an SDP into a license may be accepted by a Licensing Center unless the SDP was issued within the Licensing Center’s Geographical Area of Responsibility (GAOR).
If an applicant opts to convert the SDP outside its GAOR, the applicant must first secure a confirmation of issuance from the issuing district office or licensing center.
For conversion outside GAOR, the applicant must submit two (2) stamped envelopes to obtain the confirmation for forwarding to the Licensing Center.
A Licensing Center must not accept a driving license application whose basis is an SDP issued outside GAOR unless the required confirmation of issuance is present.

The Head of the Licensing Center must ensure that the request for confirmation is sent not later than twenty-four (24) hours from the time the applicant has complied with the requirement for confirmation.
If the next day is non-working, the 24 hours period must cover the first working day thereafter.
The confirming licensing center/district office must act on the request and attend to it within 24 hours from the time of receipt.

Previous memoranda, circulars, or orders that are inconsistent with these rules are superseded.
The Order takes effect immediately.
The Order requires strict compliance by all concerned.