Report DOTr Aims to Simplify Driver's License Process Amid Crackdown on Fraud

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Following the suspension of over a hundred driving schools, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) of the Philippines has announced plans to simplify the driver's license acquisition process. This comes amid efforts to curb fraudulent activities by non-compliant driving schools and service providers.

 

Before tendering his resignation, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon emphasised that addressing fraudulent providers alone is insufficient. He stressed the necessity of reforming the existing system to facilitate legitimate acquisition processes and reduce corruption. "The government also needs to fix the system. We need to simplify it. We need to speed it up," Dizon stated at a press conference on May 22.

 

Dizon identified redundant procedures and excessive requirements as factors that drive individuals towards illegal shortcuts. He highlighted the government's commitment to streamlining the process, thereby curbing the rise of fixers who offer illegal license services, often on social media platforms like Facebook.

 

"These fixers, who once lingered outside Land Transportation Office (LTO) branches, now operate online, offering services for fees starting at P1,000," Dizon noted. Such actions pose significant safety risks, as unqualified individuals may obtain licenses without proper training, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

 

Dizon reiterated the government's dedication to identifying and prosecuting those involved in these schemes, including government personnel who may be complicit. "We are serious about this. We will not stop. We will catch all those online scammers, and we will put them in jail," he asserted.

 

LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II echoed this sentiment, warning that tracing online scammers is straightforward, and both sellers and buyers could face severe consequences, including disqualification from obtaining a legitimate license and facing up to 12 years in prison for falsifying public documents.

 

The department's decisive actions include working with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG). Recent efforts led to the arrest of a female fixer in Valenzuela City, responsible for producing fake driver's licenses and other IDs.

 

With these comprehensive measures, the DOTr aims to restore integrity to the licensing process, ensuring safer roads and greater trust in public services. By simplifying procedures and cracking down on illegal activities, the department seeks to eliminate the incentives for seeking unlawful shortcuts while enhancing service efficiency and transparency.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-05-22