The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been requiring applicants of both new and renewal driver’s licenses (DL) to present certificates of Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and Practical Driving Course (PDC) as part of the agency’s mandate that only those who can drive behind the wheel.

However, it seems that some driving schools have been handing out TDCs and PDCs to their clients in exchange for a fee. The LTO has ZERO tolerance for this kind of scheme.

According to LTO, it has suspended the operation of two driving schools based in Tarlac and Quezon provinces for alleged involvement in the fraudulent issuance of Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificates.

LTO Chief, Atty. Vigor Mendoza II has ordered a thorough investigation into the fraudulent issuance of TDC and PDC certificates after being tipped off about the modus operandi of some erring driving schools.

He also expanded his order to include accredited medical clinics of the LTO over a separate report of the fraudulent issuance of medical certificates.

“This is part of our aggressive campaign against fixers. We cannot allow this modus operandi to happen because what is at stake is the safety of road users,” said Mendoza.

LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante immediately deployed poseur clients in compliance with the order of Mendoza which targets at least two driving schools that were tipped to be involved in the fraudulent activity.

In his report, Melitante said their poseur client at the MCSY Driving School based in San Sebastian, Tarlac was able to secure a TDC despite non-appearance through the help of one of the instructors.

Meanwhile, the poseur client at the I-Summit Driving Academy based in Lucena City in Quezon province was also able to secure a PDC despite non-completion of the required hours and non-appearance in the mandated road safety seminar.

“We already issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) to these two driving schools to demand their explanation why they should not be punished for violating the provisions of the accreditation given to them,” said Mendoza.

“Both the driving schools were also suspended for 30 days pending the result of the ongoing investigation,” he added.

“This action should serve as a stern warning against driving schools and accredited medical clinics to do what is right. Otherwise, we will not hesitate to cancel their operation because what is at stake here is the life and limb of all road users,” said Mendoza.

The LTO assured that there will be more operations and investigations to be conducted against erring driving schools and medical clinics based on the information that the LTO has.