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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider LTO lowers to P300 medical exam fee for student permit, driver's license applicants

LTO lowers to P300 medical exam fee for student permit, driver's license applicants

Published May 22, 2023 09:03 am
Outgoing Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief JayArt Tugade has approved a memorandum circular that set to a maximum fee of P300 the medical examinations for student permit and driver's license applicants.  The announcement came the same day after Malacañang confirmed the resignation of Tugade as LTO chief. Tugade has until June 1 to serve as LTO chief.  Currently, the medical examination fee ranges from 500 to P700, which Tugade said, is too much for ordinary people seeking the student permits, driver’s licenses and renewal of driver’s licenses. Medical examination is a key requirement for obtaining a driver's license in the Philippines. In a memorandum circular signed by Tugade, it directed accredited medical clinics across the country not to charge their clients above the P300 fee per transaction. “The policy is based on recommendations from a committee that conducted research, studies, and a series of consultations to determine a reasonable fee for medical examinations. This is also in response to public concerns over high medical fees,” said Tugade. He said the policy applies to all LTO-accredited medical facilities where physicians conduct medical, physical, optical, and other examinations required for student driver's permits, new non-professional driver's licenses and new conductor's licenses, as well as renewals and upgrades from non-professional to professional driver's licenses. Its implementation, however, will be 15 days after its publication in national newspapers or when a certified copy of the policy is forwarded to the Office of the National Registry at the University of the Philippines Law Center in Diliman, Quezon City. Once implemented, Tugade said medical clinics or health facilities that violate the policy will face a 90-day suspension of accreditation and a ₱10,000 fine for the first offense.  Subsequent offenses will carry a 180-day suspension and ₱15,000 fine, while a third violation will result in revocation of accreditation and permanent disqualification as an accredited medical clinic or health facility. “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-applicant by accredited medical clinics,” the new Memorandum Circular stated. Prior to this, the LTO was able to regulate and regularly monitor medical examination fees; however, no specific maximum rate was provided for medical clinics and health facilities to follow. In addition to this fee standardization, the LTO has also introduced free theoretical driving courses, prescribed maximum rates for theoretical and practical driving courses among driving schools, and extended the initial registration period for brand new motorcycles with engine displacements of 200cc or below to three years in a bid to reduce additional costs for the public.
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