Last year, MotoPinas.com has reported that soon enough, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will begin to require Student Permit applicants to undergo lectures and examinations of up to 15 hours in their bid to become “stricter” and rid the roads of drivers who, in the first place, shouldn't be behind the wheel of a vehicle or motorcycle.
True enough, starting April 6, 2020, all Student Permit applicants will need to undergo Theoretical Driving Course lessons that will last a total of 15 hours. This is in accordance with Republic Act 10930 or the “Act Rationalizing and strengthening the policy regarding driver's license by extending the validity period of driver's licenses, and penalizing acts in violation of its issuance and application, amending for those purposes Section 23 of Republic Act 4136, as amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 398 and Executive Order No. 1011, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.”
Under the new Republic Act, the LTO was also tasked to formulate new policies towards stricter licensing, hence, they issued Memorandum Circular 2019-2176.
The Theoretical Driving Course, which aspiring drivers have to attend (and of course complete), will be divided into three five-hour sessions and will cover topics such as, but not limited to traffic signs, signals and pavement markings, rules on turning, parking, right of way, overtaking, and expressway rules, etc.
