Holders of driver’s license required to have periodic medical exams for 5, 10 years validity — LTO chief

Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante on Monday said holders of driver’s license with five or 10 years validity will have to undergo periodic exams.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Galvante said this is to ensure motorists are still fit to drive after several years of obtaining their driver’s license.

“Kung sa 5 years, ang best schedule na medical exam on the third year ng lisensya (For the five years validity, the best schedule of medical exam is in the third year of the license),” he said.

“Sa 10 years naman (for the 10 year validity), on the 3rd, 5th and 7th year,” he added.

Asked if the periodic medical exams would defeat the purpose of extending the validity of driver’s license to ease the burden of holders from the tiresome process of renewals, Galvante said the measure was for the safety of drivers and passengers.

As advised by doctors, the agency will keep monitoring the medical condition of drivers to ensure that they do not develop health issues that may impair their capability to drive.

For instance, Galvante said a driver might develop poor eyesight within the 10 years of validity of driver’s license. With the medical checkup, the driver can be advised to use corrective lens.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte announced all offices of the LTO across the country will start issuing driver’s licenses with 10-year validity in December. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News