License suspended, vehicle owner summoned over video of child driving car

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered the 90-day suspension of the driver’s license of a man who was caught on video allowing a child to steer a moving car down streets while seated on his lap.

The incident, which went viral on social media on October 11, 2025, showed the child driving a vehicle bearing conduction sticker RP915A somewhere in Butuan City. Both the driver and the child were not wearing seatbelts.

In its Show Cause Order issued to the registered owner, the LTO said the act constitutes multiple violations under traffic laws, including reckless driving (Sec. 48, R.A. 4136), failure to wear a seatbelt (Sec. 4, R.A. 8750), and allowing a child to sit in the front seat (Sec. 5, R.A. 11229).

The LTO also cited the driver for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle under Section 27(a) of R.A. 4136 as amended by B.P. 398.

In the meantime, the MG sedan involved in the incident has been placed under alarm while the driver’s license will remain under preventive suspension for 90 days, pending the results of the administrative investigation.

The driver and registered owner have been summoned to appear before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division on October 15 to explain why they should not be held administratively liable.

The LTO reminded motorists to exercise discipline and responsibility on the road. “Road safety begins with accountability,” the agency said, warning that similar acts of negligence or endangerment will be dealt with accordingly. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News