As the Land Transportation Office (LTO) starts issuing a 10-year driver’s license, they also added a five-hour mandatory refresher course, Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) culminating in an online validation exam of 25 items, and the issuing of a CDE certificate.

Those who are looking to renew their license must pass the CDE validation exam and obtain the CDE certificate. It is useful to avoid many driving situations by taking the CDE – whether in person at the LTO Driver’s Education Center (LTO DEC) in select LTO offices or online through the LTMS portal – because it has not yet been eliminated despite some lawmakers calling for its removal.

In this guide, you will learn more about Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE), the CDE online validation exam, as well as tips for acing the CDE.

Read Aslo: National ID Tracking

What is CDE – Comprehensive Driver’s Education?

Drivers and motorcycle riders in the Philippines are required to complete Comprehensive Driver’s Education, a five (5) hour refresher course mandated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). To ensure that only applicants with adequate driving skills, knowledge of road safety, and proper road etiquette may renew their driver’s licenses into those with a ten-year validity, it was designed in accordance with Republic Act (RA) 10930.

A student can take the test at any LTO-accredited driving school, at LTO Driver’s Education Centers (LTO DECs) located at select LTO offices, or online via LTMS.

This course culminates in a 25-item multiple-choice exam known as the CDE online validation exam. Despite no time limit, test-takers must score at least fifty (50) percent or thirteen (13) correct answers to pass. Even so, the exam is free (when taken via the LTMS portal and LTO DEC) and retaken immediately, so failing it is not a big deal.

This CDE covers the following topics:

• Safety on the road

  • Especially when dealing with stress and road rage, road etiquette is important

  • What causes traffic accidents and how to avoid them

  • What causes engine breakdowns and how to avoid them

  • How to respond and act in roadside emergencies

  • Duties, responsibilities, and legal rights of drivers

• Rules and Regulations for Traffic

  • Keeping the road disciplined

  • Traffic signals, traffic signs, and road markings identification

  • The proper use of highways and expressways

• Laws relating to land transportation

  • In RA 4136, the following items are included:

    • Administrative and traffic rules

    • Legislation and regulations

    • System of fines, penalties, and demerits

  • Among the special driving laws are:

    • The Anti-Drunk Driving Act (RA 10586) prohibits drunken and drugged driving

    • The seatbelt law (RA 8750)

    • Distraction-Free Driving Law (RA 10913)

    • Act No. 11229 on the Safety of Children in Motor Vehicles

It culminates in the issuance of a CDE certificate, a free, non-expiring document that verifies that the refresher course and validation exam have been passed. Also, it demonstrates a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and responsibly on Philippine roads, having mastered the necessary knowledge and skills.

Benefits 

The following benefits are available to drivers who complete the CDE and obtain a CDE certificate:

• Renewal opportunity for LTO driver’s licenses

• The CDE Certificate of Completion is lifetime and non-expiring

• Refresher course on basic driving skills, road safety, and laws associated with driving

• Taking and retaking the exam at your own convenience is possible with this self-paced exam.

• Having a driver’s license proves you have the necessary skills

• Provides proof that you are eligible for the new LTO driver’s license with a 10-year validity period

Skills and Qualifications

CDE Online Validation Exams can be taken by anyone with an active LTMS portal account (for free) or at an LTO-accredited driving school as long as they are willing to pay (if taking at a driving school accredited by the LTO).

• Holders of Philippine driver’s licenses

• Philippine driver’s license holders who ride motorcycles

• The number of demerit points accumulated by Filipino drivers when renewing their driver’s license in the Philippines does not matter

• No matter how many demerit points a foreign national has accumulated, they can renew their driver’s license in the Philippines

• A new driver’s license can be obtained in the Philippines by new car owners through the LTO

• Anyone who wishes to learn more about driving, driving conditions, and road safety measures in the Philippines

Requirements

The CDE Online Validation Exam requires only the following:

• An online account for the LTMS Portal

• An electronic or computing device, such as a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet

• An Internet connection that is stable

The following information will also be needed if you do not have an LTMS account:

• Email address that is active and valid

• A mobile number that is active

• Provides information

  • In the case of those who already have a license but do not have an account with the LTMS

    • Number of driver’s license/conductor’s license

    • Date of expiration

    • In case you no longer have your receipt, enter your mother’s maiden name instead.

    • The full name of the person

    • The birthday of

    • Aspects of gender

    • The maiden name of your mother

    • Contact information for emergencies

    • Information on medical conditions

    • An address that is complete

  • Residents of alien countries

    • Registrar’s number for aliens (ACR)

    • Expiry date of ACR,

    • The nationality

How to Take the CDE Online Validation Exam

To prepare for the CDE Online Validation Exam, you must study a lot of materials during the CDE seminar. It is easy to take the test itself, but preparing for it can be difficult due to the limited number of questions. There is good news: To pass, you only need to get a minimum of 50% or thirteen (13) correct answers. A passing score of this kind applies to both professionals and non-professionals.

LTMS is the LTO’s online portal for taking the CDE exam. To help you with your online CDE validation exam, here’s a simple walkthrough through the LTMS portal:

Step 1: Go to the LTO’s LTMS portal by clicking https://portal.lto.gov.ph.

Step 2: Select the E-Learning tab.

Step 3: Click CDE Online Validation Exam on the dropdown menu.

Step 4:LTMS portal accounts can be accessed by clicking Log In. Otherwise, click the Register button.

Step 5:When you are ready to begin, click Start Exam.

Step 6:You can take the exam in English or Filipino. A 25-item multiple-choice exam will be presented to you next.

When you finish the exam, you will immediately receive your results. As soon as you pass the exam, a prompt will inform you that your CDE certificate is available for printing. A copy of the CDE certificate will be emailed to your registered email address as well.

Those Who Don’t Have LTMS Accounts, You Need to Register

You may also follow this guide on how to register for an LTMS account online if you do not have an LTMS account yet.

Step 1: Navigate to the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal by clicking https://portal.lto.gov.ph.

Step 2: “Register now.”

Step 3: Click the check box that says “Yes, I Accept.”

Step 4: Enter the security code.

Step 5: Click the “Next.”

Step 6: Select your registrant type.

• Individual registrants should choose “Enroll as an individual” when asked.

• When asked what type of registration you need, select “Enroll as an organization.”.

Step 7: Choose “Yes” or “No” depending on whether you already have a Philippine driver’s or conductor’s license.

• Those who already hold a license:

  • To complete your registration, please provide the following information:

• Number of the driver’s/conductor’s license

• Date of expiration

• Please provide the official receipt number (or your mother’s maiden name, if you do not have the receipt)

• Click “Next” after confirming your nationality (Filipino or otherwise).

• Please provide the following information if you are a first-time Filipino applicant:

  • Your name

  • Your birthdate

  • Name of mother’s maiden name

• Please provide the following details for alien residents:

  • Number of the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)

  • Date of expiration

  • The nationality

• Then click “Next.”

• Fill out the contact information (email address and mobile number) and submit it.

• Non-license holders: Click “No”

  • Click “Next” after confirming your nationality (Filipino or otherwise).

  • The following information is required for first-time Filipino applicants:

    • Your name

    • Your birthdate

    • Name of mother’s maiden name

  • In the case of alien residents, please provide the following information:

    • Certificate of Registration for Alien (ACR) number

    • Date of expiration

    • The nationality

  • Then click “Next.”

  • Your contact information (email address and mobile phone number) must be entered.

Step 8: Check your inbox for the verification link.

Step 9: Follow the verification link and complete the following information:

• Contact information in case of emergency

• Information about the medical profession

• Information about the company

• The address

Step 10: When you have completed this process, the portal will assign you a 15-digit number that you can use as your username to access your LTMS account.

Video: CDE Online Validation Exam and Everything Else You Need to Renew Your Driver’s License

Important Reminders

• Land Transportation Office (LTO) has announced that drivers who will renew their driver’s licenses (DLs) can now take the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) 60 days beforehand.

• All CDE review materials are available at all LTO offices and driving schools accredited by the LTO.

• LTMS will send your CDE certificate, among other things, to the email address you used on your account.

• There are no “trick questions” in the CDE, so take your time reading each question.

• During the CDE validation exam, don’t overthink your answers since all questions are taken directly from the course.

• According to the LTO Memorandum dated October 14, 2021, the CDE Certificate of Completion is not expiring.

• In order to avoid waiting in lines at LTO, print out the CDE certificate before you go, as there are some offices and branches that don’t have printers.

• When taken through the LTO’s Driver Education Centers (LTO DECs) or the LTMS portal, the CDE is free.

• If you are renewing your driver’s license, you can also check with the LTO branch to see if you can take the exam at no charge.

• CDEs taken through LTO-accredited driving schools are not free.

• LTMS is LTO’s very own online portal for drivers license holders, and it is the best option for taking the CDE.

• An e-Learning portal is available through the LTMS to provide duly-licensed motorists with information on licensing, driving fundamentals, road courtesy and safety, motor vehicle registration, land transportation laws, and more, including introductions to the theoretical examinations for nonprofessionals, professional drivers, and conductors.

• It is possible to access LTMS anytime, anywhere, and on any device, 24/7.

FAQs

QNO(1):The online validation exam for the CDE failed. Can you tell me what to do? 

In case you fail the VDE validation exam, don’t worry. Until you pass the exam, you can simply retake it.

While preparing for the CDE Online Validation Exam, if you are concerned about the validity of your existing license, the LTO assures you that its validity will not be affected.

QNO(2):Am I required to take the CDE validation exam if I convert my foreign driver’s license into a Philippine license?

Yes, of course. In order to convert your valid foreign driver’s license into a Philippine driver’s license, you must take the CDE online validation exam. In addition to the written and practical tests, you will have to take the practical exam if your foreign driver’s license is expired.

QNO(3):I want to change my maiden name to my married name on my driver’s license. Do I still need to secure a CDE certificate?

Yes, of course. It will be necessary to process a new driver’s license request if you want your married name to appear on your ID instead of your maiden name. Your CDE completion certificate, your original marriage certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and your old driver’s license will be required. Not only will you need to update your name, but also your biometrics at the LTO branch.

QNO(4):Can I take the CDE validation exam online?

Yes, of course. CDE is the only mandatory LTO exam that can be taken online, and it is available in English or Filipino on the LTMS portal. You can also watch the reviewer on demand for free. In addition to those taking theoretical driving courses (TDC), these resources can be used when applying for a license as a reviewer.

QNO(5):Do I need to have an LTMS account to access the e-Learning tab and LTO learning resources?

Sadly, no. You can access all the LTO learning resources via the LTMS portal, regardless of whether you have an account on the portal.

GNO(6):How can I verify my mobile number?

You can verify your mobile number on your LTMS portal account by following these steps:

Step 1: Access your LTO online account through the LTMS.

Step 2: Click the Profile button.

Step 3: Click Verify New Mobile Number under the Contact tab.

Step 4: Type in the code you received by text message.

Step 5: Click the Verify button.

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it! Those are all the details you need to know about the CDE and the online validation exam. This is part of LTO’s efforts to keep Philippine roads safe by ensuring that only the most qualified and responsible drivers are allowed to drive.

Thank you for reading this guide, and we wish you the best of luck as you prepare for your CDE online validation exam. Remember that you can always retake the exam until you pass, so there’s no harm in giving it another shot. It won’t be the beginning of the world when that happens, but at least you will have some knowledge to begin with.