NBI clearance now a requirement for professional drivers –LTO

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a new administrative order mandating drivers applying for and renewing their professional driver's license to submit NBI and police clearances, a report on New to Go said Tuesday.

The new policy will allow LTO to check if the applicant has previous records of law violations, the report said.

In an interview also on News To Go, LTO spokesperson Jason Salvador said the move is part of their efforts to ensure that those who will be issued licenses are qualified drivers.

"Sinisigurado natin na bago sila humawak ng manibela, lalung-lalo na yung pambublikong sasakyan, ay walang mga kaso," he said, adding the LTO will be checking for "crimes against moral servitude."

"Bago ka bigyan ng lisensya tiyakin natin na ikaw ay citizen of good standing, kung sa ganoon, 'di naman masaalang-alang ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan sa lansangan," he said.

Professional drivers are those who make a living through driving, Salvador clarified. This includes drivers of public transportation, and private and family drivers.

The order covers those applying to become conductors, Salvador said.

"Kasama sila sa transportation industry... bago sila magsibli sa ating mga kababayan ay tiyakin din na sila ay with good standing," he said.

According to Salvador, the new administrative order is just one of the new policies the LTO released in line with their mission to reform the process of issuing licenses. He said changes in the examinations will also be implemented soon.

While there used to be a single exam for those applying for professional and non-professional licenses, now there will be separate exams, Salvador said.

"Ang paghihingi ng requirements na to ay bahagi lamang nga malawakang reporma sa pag-iissue ng lisensya," he said. "Kasama na sa repormang to ay ang pagbabago ng mga driving exams natin pati practical at theoretical."

"So lahat binabago natin upang tiyakin na ang isang magmamaneho ay qualified at quality driver," Salvador added.

Salvador assured the public that the new requirements will not result in longer application process. —Jessica Bartolome/KBK, GMA News