LTO drops periodic medical exam requirement for driver’s license holders

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has removed the prescribed periodic medical examination (PME) to holders of driver’s license with either five-year or 10-year validity.

LTO Chief Jose Arturo Tugade issued a directive amending the agency’s Memorandum Circular 2021-2285 (also known as “Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations” of Republic Act 10930), waiving the PME requirement.

Tugade said that based on the studies, and data collected, as well as the consultations that the agency conducted, the LTO deemed it wise to remove the PME.

Based on the amended memorandum, those issued with a five-year or 10-year valid driver’s license must undergo a PME — aside from the regular medical examination as a requirement for application of a new or renewal of a driver’s license.

The LTO said that in the prevailing guidelines, those that carry a driver’s license with a five-year validity must have a PME on the third year of the date of birth after the license was issued. On the other hand, those with a driver’s license that is valid for 10 years, must have their PME in the fourth year and seventh year of the date of birth after the license was issued.

Further, the Tugade said that there is "no empirical data saying that the periodic medical examination could prevent road crashes."

With that, the mandatory medical examination will only be a requirement before applying for, and during the renewal, of a driver's license.

“For licensees who will be issued a five-year validity driver’s license and 10-year validity driver’s license, the medical examination shall only be required 60 days prior to or on the specified renewal date,” Tugade’s newly-released memorandum stated.

For Filipino driver's license holders who are working or are living abroad, they will be required to undergo a medical examination within 30 days upon their arrival in the Philippines before they are allowed to drive in the country. 

“Kami sa LTO ay naniniwala na ang hakbang na ito ay magdudulot ng bahagyang ginhawa sa publiko dahil 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. Nasa pagkukusa na lang ngayon ng bawat indibidwal kung nanaisin nilang sumalang sa medical examination (We at the LTO believe that this step will bring some relief to the public because apart from not having to spend repeatedly for medical examinations, it will also avoid additional inconvenience especially for those who value time for work . It is now up to each individual whether they wish to participate in the medical examination),” Tugade noted.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Land Transportation Office

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