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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Over 3,200 student driver applicants avail of LTO's free theoretical driving course

Over 3,200 student driver applicants avail of LTO's free theoretical driving course

Published May 11, 2023 07:39 am
A total of 3,209 people across the country have availed of the free Theoritical Driving Course (TDC) that was offered by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as part of its 11th anniversary.  The biggest number of people recorded is in Western Visayas with 706, followed by Mimaropa (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) with 535 and Bicol Region with 461. In Metro Manila a total of 164 people have availed of the program that runs from May 11 to 12. All those who availed of the program are pre-registered student driver applicants. LTO chief JayArt Tugade said the move is part of the LTO’s program to further promote road safety and motor vehicle roadworthiness across the country and offer opportunities for economically disadvantaged Filipinos to apply for a student permit, granting them access to valuable driving skills and education. “We, at the LTO, are fully aware of the financial constraints faced by many Filipinos in affording TDC fees. Furthermore, we recognized the growing interest among our citizens to acquire driving skills as a potential source of income,” said Tugade. “In response, we have organized the provision of complimentary TDCs at our regional offices to extend this essential training to a broader audience. While we can only accommodate a limited number of students as of now, this initiative strengthens your LTO’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of drivers on our roads,” he added. The launch of the nationwide complimentary TDC serves as a catalyst for the rollout of free TDCs at all regional offices on a monthly basis, in an effort to generate a constant stream of LTO driving scholars. Tugade acknowledges that many Filipinos today are eager to develop driving skills as a potential source of income.  He emphasizes, however, that the public should only apply for a student permit at official LTO offices and steer clear of fixers. "We wish to emphasize that the TDC is a prerequisite for all student permit applicants, and the agency is working diligently to make it accessible to those without the financial means to do so. This is an effort to discourage applicants from resorting to fixers,” said Tugade. “Engaging with fixers is not only a financial waste but also results in unqualified and unskilled drivers on our roads," he added.
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