HOUSE oF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines:
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

2294

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. ROMEO M. ACOP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The authority of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) over land
transportation is exercised by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and
covers the inspection and registration of motor vehicles, issuance of licenses
and permits, enforcement of land transportation rules and regulations, and
adjudication of traffic cases. These functions have remained the same
despite the changes in the names of the LTO and the reorganizations it
underwent.

The predecessor of the LTO is the Land Transportation Commission
(LTC) created in 1964 by Republic Act No 4136. RA 4136 was amended by
Republic Act Nos. 5715 and 6374, Presidential Decree Nos. 382, 843, 896,
1057, 1934, 1950 and 1958, and Batas Pambansa Blg. 43, 74 and 398, and
is now known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. Its provisions
control the registration and operation of motor vehicles and the licensing of
owners, dealers, conductors, drivers, and similar matters.

Under Section 23 of RA 4136 as amended by BP 398, the license of a
professional or non-professional driver as may be granted by the LTO is
three (3) years reckoned from the birthdate of the licensee, unless sooner
revoked or suspended. The law also provides an incentive for any holder of a


professional or nonprofessional driver's license who has not committed any
violation during the three-year period to a renewal of such license for a five-
year period.

This bill seeks to extend the period of validity of driver's licenses,
except student permits and new licenses, from three (3) years to five (5)
years. The rationale behind the proposed amendment is to lessen the
incidence of irregularities attending the process of application and renewal of
driver's licenses, thereby promoting the ‘anti-corruption’ as well as ‘anti-red
tape’ programs of the government. Reports have been consistent that
corruption in the process of obtaining drivers’ licenses from the LTO persists.

Moreover, concerns that a longer validity period of drivers’ licenses will
result to lower government revenues have no basis as the application fees
can just be adjusted accordingly by the LTO as provided by law.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate consideration and approval
of this bill is earnestly urged.

Representative
2"! District, Antipolo City


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Queson City, Metco Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

2294

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. ROMEO M. ACOP

AN ACT
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE
FROM THREE (3) TO FIVE (5) YEARS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE’

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

SECTION 1. Section 23, last paragraph, of Republic Act No. 4136,
otherwise known as the ‘Land Transportation and Traffic Code’, as amended
by Batas Pambansa No. 398, is hereby further amended to read as follows :

Section 23. Issuance of driver's license, fees and validity. —

XOX,

Except for student permits and new licenses, all driver's licenses shall be
valid for three] FIVE (5) consecutive years reckoned from the birthdate of
the licensee, unless sooner revoked or suspended [:]. fPrevided-hewever,
Fhat,-subject Swenty-she-h -any-helder-of-a-prof Hi
prof 1 driver's | whoh. smmitted-any violation during



the-three-year_period_shall_be-entitied to 2 renewal of such license for five
year-period:]

SECTION 2. All references to the ‘Bureau of Land Transportation’ or
‘Director’ in any other provision of Republic Act Numbered Forty-one
hundred thirty-six, as amended, shall be automatically substituted with the
words ‘Land Transportation Office’ and/or ‘Assistant Secretary’, as the case
may be.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of
Transportation, upon the recommendation of the Land Transportation Office
Assistant Secretary, shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All existing laws, orders, decrees, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

from its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved.