LTO suspends three Tarlac driving schools over PDC irregularities

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued notices of show cause orders and imposed 30-day preventive suspensions on three accredited driving schools operating in Tarlac over alleged irregularities in the issuance of Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificates.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said on Tuesday that the orders cited violations of LTO Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2023-2460, or the Revised Omnibus Guidelines on the Accreditation, Supervision, and Control of Driving Institutions and the Standardization of Driver and Conductor’s Education.

The three driving schools were accused of irregular use of accreditation under Section 24(C)(11) of the circular, particularly the issuance of PDC Certificates of Completion without conducting actual driving lectures or seminars. Initial investigation showed that certificates were released despite the absence of the required training.

One of the driving schools’ proprietor and instructor had previously been issued separate show cause orders for similar violations. The proprietor was cited for conducting courses shorter than the required hours, failure to follow approved syllabi, and irregularities in certificate issuance, while the instructor was cited for participation in acts constituting irregular use of accreditation.

Lacanilao said irregularities in driver education directly contribute to road crashes nationwide, as individuals who obtain certificates without proper training often lack knowledge of traffic rules, defensive driving, vehicle safety, and emergency response.

Each driving school has been directed to submit a verified written response within five days upon receipt of the orders, explaining why disciplinary action should not be imposed. Failure to comply will result in ex parte proceedings, with cases resolved based on available records.

The driving schools were also ordered to cease all operations, including access to the Land Transportation Management System, for the duration of the 30-day preventive suspension or until investigations are completed.

Copies of the orders were furnished to the Central Accreditation Committee on Driving Institutions and the Regional Accreditation Committee on Driving Institutions for LTO Region III.

“The LTO is committed to upholding the highest standards for driver education and training in the Philippines. Irregularities in the issuance of course completion certificates undermine road safety and the integrity of our licensing process. These actions demonstrate our resolve to ensure that only properly trained individuals are allowed to operate motor vehicles on our roads, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate action against any institution found violating our guidelines,” Lacanilao said.