LTO to require 15 hours of training for student drivers

Before securing a student's permit, aspiring drivers need to undergo 15 hours of training in an accredited driving school, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said on Friday evening.

The LTO was prompted to impose this requirement after recent statistics from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) showed that about 12,000 drivers in Metro Manila have incurred a minimum of three traffic violations.

The worst case involved a bus driver who has incurred more than 500 violations, since 2005, according to the MMDA.  

The LTO said that it planned to implement this additional requirement for student drivers from April onwards.  

In a "24 Oras" report, the chief of the LTO Licensing Section Richard Cortez, said that driving instructors are the best educators who can show young drivers the ropes.

"Hindi ka basta basta uupo sa manibela na parang nanghula o nakakuha lang instructions sa kapitbahay, sa kapatid, sa magulang. Dadaan ka sa instructor mismo," Cortez said.

The licensing section chief added that implementing this additional requirement can also help in assessing the performance of the future drivers, as well as pinpointing errant instructors.

In addition to the 15-hour requirement, the LTO also announced that it would be setting up its own driving schools in each region. The agency said it aims to provide affordable driving classes through the schools.

For LTO deputy director for Law Enforcement Roberto Valera, a driver's license should be considered as a privilege, and not a right.

"Dapat i-inculcate na natin sa utak nila 'yung batas. Kasi in the first place, ang drivers license, pribelehiyo lang yan. Hindi po 'yan karapatan. Pwede namin tanggalin sa'yo yan kapag hindi ka sumusunod sa batas trapiko," Valera said.

According to the LTO, last year saw a total of 46,197 drivers who were caught driving without a license. About 40,000 of the drivers were penalized for reckless driving.

At present, there are more than 2,500 drivers who have been suspended for not following the rules, said the MMDA. —Angelica Yang/LDF, GMA News