As a result of Republic Act (RA) 10930, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (RA 4136) has been amended, promoting easy access to government services and efficient transportation regulation that is favorable to the people. The book also provides guidance on how to obtain a license that is more valid and with an IRR, as well as how to implement it.

For drivers without violations, RA 10930 extends the valid period of their licenses from five to 10 years from the previous three. The law also contains amendments to the existing Land Transportation and Traffic Code (RA 4136) as well as sections detailing the penalties and conditions for acquiring one. Throughout this guide, you will learn more about the law behind the driver’s license with longer validity, as well as other provisions and implementations that go with it.

Read Aslo: National ID Tracking

RA 10930: What does it mean?

Philippine law RA 10930 is officially entitled as, An act rationalizing and strengthening the as amended by the policy regarding driver’s license by extending its validity period and penalizing acts in violation of its issuance and application by amending section 23 of Republic Act No. 4136,  Pambansa Blg. It is known as the Land Transportation And Traffic Code, Executive Order No. 398 and Executive Order No. 1011.

This law amends Section 23 of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code by establishing an efficient transportation regulation system that facilitates easy access to government services. A new driver’s license will also have an expiration date of 10 years, which eliminates repeated processing of renewals.

Requirements for Licensing 

The applicant may be granted a professional license or non-professional license if they meet the requirements outlined in Section 23 of RA 4136. The following conditions must be met:

• In addition to possessing the necessary qualifications and proficiency in motor vehicle operation, the applicant also possesses:

• An individual who speaks, reads, and writes any official language or major dialect of the country,

• Reads and interprets traffic signs, signals, and road markings

• In accordance with law, the fee has been paid

A drivers’ license must be signed in the presence of the LTO Head or his/her deputies according to the same law. The license must include, among other things, your full name, your date of birth, your height, your weight, your gender, your eye color, your blood type, your current address, your biometrics, your license number, and your expiration date.

RA 10930: Qualifying Conditions for the Issuance of a Driver’s License with a Longer Validity Period

According to RA 10930, however, a licensee will qualify for the license with a longer validity by demonstrating that they have the qualities and knowledge of a good driver and that they deserve the license based on their driving skills and knowledge of road safety and proper road courtesy.

Only by completing the additional courses and examinations set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as outlined in the new additional Section 23-A of RA 4136, which was lifted from RA 10930, can they prove this.

“The conduct of theoretical and practical examinations, among others, must ensure that the drivers are sufficiently competent and that the tests are designed to match the license type and its corresponding restrictions: For professional drivers, the tests must be appropriate to the vehicle and the type of service the applicant intends to operate..”

Conditions Precedent to Driver’s License Renewal with Ten-Year Validity

In 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued an Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for RA 10930. It also requires completion of a comprehensive driver’s education course on road safety and proper road courtesy prior to driving license renewal with ten-year validity.

According to the relevant sections of the IRR, the following cases are covered:

• The license applicant must accrue at least five (5) demerit points in order to qualify

Applicants for license renewal who have accrued at least five (5) demerit points during the accumulation period must complete a Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) conducted by a duly accredited service provider.

• Demerit points can be accumulated if ten (10) or more are accumulated by a driver

Section 26 of Republic Act No. 4136 requires drivers with ten (10) or more demerit points to complete the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) and pass the theoretical examination before their driver’s license can be renewed.

• In the event that the same violation is committed at least three (3) times during the validity of the driver’s license, for every ten (10) accumulated demerit points

The new law also offers provisions for intervention programs when a driver’s license holder accumulates ten (10) demerit points or commits the same violation at least three (3) times.

• Driving without completing the said intervention program within 30 days

The driver’s license will be suspended upon prior notice if he or she fails to complete the intervention program within thirty (30) days of the last arrest.

RA 10930’s Transitory Provisions

In accordance with Section 27 of RA 10930, all driver’s licenses with a validity of three (3) years will be eligible for five (5)-year renewals after the effectivity of the IRR.

This section reads as follows:

“Upon the expiration of their first license renewal after the effectivity of this IRR, all holders of driver’s licenses with a 5-year validity are required to undergo comprehensive road safety and road courtesy education.”

Penalties under RA 10930

As stated in the act, RA 10930 also specifies the penalties that will apply in the event of violation. In addition to Section 4, Section 23-B of RA 4136 also describes these penalties.

In order to comply with this, the following equivalent penalties will be imposed in the following cases:

• Service termination

In these cases, this is the equivalent penalty:

• Drivers’ licenses issued by officers without the necessary examinations,

• Licenses are issued irregularly by those who connive with the applicant,

• Those officers who issue driver’s licenses to unqualified applicants by gross negligence

• There is a fine of P20,000.00 (twenty thousand pesos).

  • Providing false information in a job application;

  • Co-operation with the officer in conducting examinations or issuing licenses in an irregular manner;

  • The falsification of documents; or

  • Taking advantage of the exam system to cheat

• The revocation of the license and the suspension of the right to apply for a new license for two years

When a driver’s license is issued due to misrepresentation, connivance, falsification or cheating, the penalty is imposed on the erring applicant.

• Applicants are permanently disqualified from applying for licenses

In the case of repeated offenses, such as misrepresentation, connivance, falsification, or cheating, this penalty will apply.

• Four-year license revocation

According to the law, the offending driver’s license may be revoked if the court determines that such driver was negligent or at fault in the event of death or physical injuries resulting in the loss of a part of the victim’s body or the loss of its use, insanity, imbecility, impotence or blindness, or incapacity to work for more than ninety (90) days.

Philippines driver’s license holders may also face different penalties for violating existing traffic laws and other issuances such as Republic Act No. 4136.

A Description of Who Implements RA 10930 and its IRR

Information about RA 10930 is disseminated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and other concerned agencies. They are also responsible for publicizing the list of measures implemented pursuant to this Act and violations punishable under it.

Conclusion

When you’re busy, you might not have the patience or time to wait an entire day just for your license renewal to be processed, so getting a license with a longer validity sounds amazing. As a result of Republic Act (RA) 10930, the original Land Transportation and Traffic Code was amended, and a new system has been implemented to make government services easier to access and a more efficient transportation regulation that benefits the public.

For drivers with no violations, the validity period of all driver’s licenses has been extended from three to five years to 10 years. Check out this List of Driving Violations and Penalties if you want to learn more about avoiding violations to qualify for a license with a longer validity.