The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will no longer require additional medical
examinations for drivers with licenses valid for five and ten years.
This follows a directive from LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade to amend LTO Memorandum
Circular 2021-2285 or the Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations of
Republic Act 10930.
Under the said memorandum, in addition to the regular medical examination as a
requirement for new or renewal driver’s license applications, those with 5-year and 10-
year validity or validity of driving licenses are required to undergo periodic medical
exams (PME).
Under current rules, the periodic medical exam for individuals with a 5-year validity
driver’s license is done on the third year of their birth date from when they obtained the
license, while every fourth and seventh year of their birth date from when they obtained
the license for those with 10-year validity.
However, according to LTO Chief Tugade, the agency has decided not to require
periodic medical examinations based on studies conducted, data collected and
consultations.
He also said that data showed that failure to undergo periodic medical examinations
was not among the causes of road accidents.
“There’s no empirical data saying that the period medical examination could prevent
road crashes,” according to LTO Chief Tugade.
As a result, under the amendment to be implemented, only one mandatory medical
examination will be required and this will be before obtaining or renewing a driver’s
license.
“For licenses who will be issued a 5-year validity driver’s license and 10-year validity
driver’s license, the medical examination shall only be required sixty (60) days prior to
or on the specified renewal date,” according to LTO Chief Tugade’s memorandum.