LTO taps TESDA to provide free driving courses

TESDA to offer free Theoretical and Practical Driving Courses

In a bid to provide Filipinos access to free driving schools and ensure that its standards are uniformly followed, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“We have partnered with TESDA because we want to tap their expertise to ensure the quality of driver’s training being given by driving schools, the LTO and TESDA," said LTO chief, assistant secretary, Edgar Galvante.

With the MOA, more driving schools through TESDA will be available to Filipinos, free of charge.

“Sa partnership na ito, mas marami na ang ma-ooffer ng gobyerno na libreng driving courses para sa mga interesadong mag-avail ng driver’s training. Ito po ang sagot ng ating mga pamahalaan sa hiling ng publiko para sa dekalidad at murang training program para sa mga drivers," Asec Galvante emphasized.

(With this partnership, the government could offer more free driving courses for those who are interested in availing driver’s training. This will be shouldered by the government due to public demand for quality and affordable training programs for drivers.)

The Theoretical Driving Course or TDC, was conceived in response to the President's call for more stringent driver education and license issuance. The agency has faced criticism over the number of drivers that acquired licenses from fixers but were not educated about our traffic laws. Many believe this lack of education is the cause of undisciplined and reckless driving on the streets.

The MOA will also empower TESDA and its training centers to offer the TDC and the Practical Driving Course equivalent to that being offered by the LTO Driver’s Education Centers. Would-be drivers will have a choice between taking TESDA Driving National Certificates courses or those offered by LTO.

Further, it will harmonize rules to ensure quality training for drivers. The MOA will complement the existing training to address uniformity and standardization, at the same time comply with the ease of doing business. This will greatly help the LTO respond to the demand for quality and less expensive driving courses.