LTO sets P300-cap on medical exam fee for driver’s license requirement

Good news to those who will apply for driver’s licenses: the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has already set a ceiling of P300 on the amount to be charged for medical examination by accredited health facilities.

The directive was based on the memorandum circular signed by Jose Arturo Tugade before resigning from his position as LTO chief.

Per Tugade, the order was made in response to the complaints received surrounding medical examinations, which is one of the requirements for getting a driver's license.

“Hindi po natin maisasantabi ang maraming reklamo kaugnay ng sobrang mahal ng pagkuha ng medical certificate na ang iba ay nagbabayad ng P500 hanggang P700. Mabigat na ang halaga na ito para sa ating mga ordinaryong mamamayan (We cannot ignore the numerous complaints related to the high cost of getting a medical certificate that others pay P500 to ₱700. This amount is taxing for ordinary citizens," Tugade explained.

While the maximum is at P300, accredited clinics are welcomed to charge less than prescribed rate.

The latest policy covers all LTO-accredited medical clinics and health facilities where a doctor also conducts medical, physical, optical and other tests for the application of student driver's permit, new non-professional driver's license and new conductor's license, as well as the renewal and upgrading of license from non-professional to professional.

Medical facilities who will not comply with the latest facility for the first time will be slapped with a 90-day suspension and a P10,000-fine.

Meanwhile, the penalty for the second-time violator is a 180-day suspension and a fine of ₱15,000.

Revocation of accreditation, perpetual disqualification as an accredited medical clinic or health facility await those who will fail to follow the policy for the third time.

LTO said that the directive is based on the recommendation of a constituted committee that conducted studies and a series of consultations to come up with a reasonable cost of medical examination.

According to Memorandum Circular 2018-2157 signed on November 27, 2018, fees on medical examinations fees can be regulated and are regularly monitored.

"Accredited medical clinics have several variances of fees and charges causing discrepancy of rates. For standardization, the LTO deemed it proper and necessary to set the specific maximum medical examination fees to be charged from driver-applicants by accredited medical clinics," the new Memorandum Circular stated.

Earlier, the LTO gave a free theoretical driving course (TDC), set maximum prescribed rates for obtaining TDC and practical driving course, and extended to three years the validity of registration for all types of new motorcycles fitted with 200 cubic centimeter engines and below .

“Hindi po tumitigil ang inyong LTO sa mga pag-aaral upang maihatid sa publiko ang pinabilis, pinaginhawa, at abot-kayang mga serbisyo (Your LTO does not stop studying to deliver to the public expedited, convenient, and affordable services),” Tugade shared.

The new memorandum circular will take effect 15 days after the new policy is published in the national newspaper or a certified copy is filed at the Office of the National Registry at the University of the Philippines Law Center in Diliman, Quezon City.

Photos from Land Transportation Office, Jayart Tugade Facebook page, Ruben Manahan IV

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