LTO sets driving schools’ maximum prescribed rates

LTO x driving school

Driving schools will soon have to follow the maximum prescribed rates for those who will apply for a driver license.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • When will the Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2390 take effect?

    The directive shall start on April 15, 2023.
  • What is the worst penalty that is stated in the ruling?

    Driving schools that will violate for the third time are facing revocation and cancellation of accreditation.
  • This as the Land Transportation Office issued Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2390 (also known as “Omnibus Guidelines on the Accreditation, Supervision, and Control of Driving Institutions, and the Standardization of Driver and Conductor’s Education”) which will be effective starting April 15.

    Under the said directive, the maximum allowable amount that private driving schools can charge only up to P1,000 for the theoretical driving course (TDC).

    LTO x driving schools

    On the other hand, the practical driving course (PDC) is set at P2,500 for license holders with codes A and A1; up to P4,000 for license codes B, B1, and B2; and P8,000 for heavy vehicles with license code C (carrier of goods), D or passenger vehicles (bus), and CE (articulated vehicles).

    LTO Chief Jose Arturo Tugade warned that stiff charges for those who will follow the guidelines stated in the newly-released memorandum circular.

    Those who will not adhere to the standardized rates for the first time shall be slapped with a P50,000-fine and six-month suspension of the accreditation. Driving institutions that will be caught disobeying for the second time will face a P100,000-suspension and one-year suspension. Revocation and cancellation of accreditation await those who will violate for the third time.

    "Nabuo ang maximum prescribed rates na ito bilang tugon sa apela ng marami nating kababayan na umiiyak sa mataas na singilin pero maituturing din itong patas na hakbang para sa driving schools na namuhunan din (These maximum prescribed rates were formed in response to the appeal of many of our countrymen who are crying over the high charges but it can also be considered a fair step for the driving schools that have also invested),” Tugade explained.

    driver's license

    Meanwhile, the new ruling also reduced the number of days to complete the mandatory 15-hour TDC. Based on the new guideline, the applicant driver has to complete the course within two days (from the previous three day) — seven hours on the first day and eight hours on the next – in a span of one month.

    Additionally, applicants who would undergo PDC need to complete at least eight hours for every license that he needs to have.

    “PDC for light and heavy vehicles shall be conducted for at least two days while eight-hour PDC for motorcycles may be conducted in one day, provided that the student-driver has proven to have already acquired the knowledge based on the assessment by a practical driving instructor,” the memorandum circular noted.

    LTO logo

    Driving schools are also mandated to to key in the details of each applicant into the LTO system using the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) Client ID. This will help determine the actual start date of its TDC amid the "non-appearance" issue of some applicants.

    “Registration of his/her biometrics before and after every session for attendance purposes is required. The driving institution shall provide and maintain an attendance sheet to record the actual presence of the applicant during the conduct of the face-to-face TDC and written examination or validation,” it added.

    Applicants who completed the course and passed the final exam at the TDC and PDC will receive a Certificate of Course Completion that is real-time and electronically transmitted to LTMS through the Driving Institution Portal.

    Photos from Land Transportation Office, Ruben Manahan IV

    Also read:

    Lawmaker eyes suspension for driving school requirement for license acquisition

    LTO: Majority of driver's license renewals used online portal for refresher course, exam

    10-year valid driver's licenses only for those with clean records

    Read All

    Featured Articles

    Recommended Articles For You

    Read All

    Featured Cars

    • Upcoming

    Car Articles From Zigwheels

    • News
    • Article Feature
    • Advisory Stories
    • Road Test
    • First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
      First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
      Ruben Manahan IV . Today
    • Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
      Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
      Ruben Manahan IV . Today
    • Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
      Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
      Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 10, 2025
    • Bentley unveils all-electric EXP 15 concept car
      Bentley unveils all-electric EXP 15 concept car
      Cesar Miguel . Jul 10, 2025
    • TMP Tech produces latest batch of technicians
      TMP Tech produces latest batch of technicians
      Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 10, 2025
    • Nissan Livina vs. the competition
      Nissan Livina vs. the competition
      Cesar Miguel . Today
    • Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
      Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
      Cesar Miguel . Jul 10, 2025
    • Suzuki XL7 Hybrid vs Toyota RAV4 vs BYD Tang: tough-looking NEV options
      Suzuki XL7 Hybrid vs Toyota RAV4 vs BYD Tang: tough-looking NEV options
      Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
    • Explaining the different types of hybrid powertrains
      Explaining the different types of hybrid powertrains
      Cesar Miguel . Jul 07, 2025
    • Check out these basic overlanding items for when you want to enjoy the outdoors
      Check out these basic overlanding items for when you want to enjoy the outdoors
      Paulo Papa . Jul 04, 2025
    • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
      Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
      Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
    • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
      What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
      Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
    • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
      Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
      Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
    • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
      Number coding 2025: what you need to know
      Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
    • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
      EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
      Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
    • Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
      Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
      Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
    • Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
      Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
      Paulo Papa . Jul 07, 2025
    • First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
      First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
      Cesar Miguel . Jun 30, 2025
    • BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
      BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
      Paulo Papa . Jun 18, 2025
    • Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
      Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
      Paulo Papa . Jun 05, 2025