As the Land Transportation Office (LTO) starts issuing a 10-year driver’s license, they also added a five-hour mandatory refresher course, the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) culminating in a 25-item Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) online validation exam, and the issuance of the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) certificate.
The CDE validation exam and CDE certificate are part of the requirements of the LTO for those who are looking to renew their license. Though some lawmakers have called for the abolition of the exam, the exam has yet to be removed, so it will be useful to avoid many driving situations by taking the CDE—in person at the LTO Driver’s Education Center (LTO DEC) in select LTO offices or online through the LTMS portal.
This guide will tell you more about the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE), the CDE online validation exam, and everything else that comes with it—be it registration, coverage, and tips, that will help you ace the exam.
What is CDE – Comprehensive Driver’s Education?
CDE stands for Comprehensive Driver’s Education, a five (5) hour mandatory refresher course for drivers and motorcycle riders mandated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) from anyone who wishes to renew their driver’s license in the Philippines. It was designed in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10930 in order to ensure that only qualified driver’s license applicants with adequate driving skills, knowledge of road safety, and proper road etiquette have their licenses renewed into one with ten-year validity.
It may be taken in person at any LTO-accredited driving schools, at the LTO Driver’s Education Center (LTO DEC) in select LTO offices, or online via the LTMS portal.
The refresher course culminates with a 25-item multiple-choice exam known as the CDE online validation exam. Though there is no time limit, the test-takers are expected to get at least fifty (50) percent or thirteen (13) correct answers to pass. Nevertheless, the exam is free (when taken via the LTMS portal and LTO DEC) and can be retaken immediately, so there is, quite literally, no harm in trying again if you fail.
The CDE covers the following topics:
- Road Safety
- Road etiquette, especially when dealing with stress and road rage
- Traffic accident causes and how to avoid them
- Engine breakdowns causes and how to avoid them
- Roadside emergencies and how to respond and act accordingly
- Driver’s duties, responsibilities, and legal rights
- Traffic Rules and Regulations
- Road discipline
- Identifying traffic signals, traffic signs, and road markings
- Proper usage of highways and expressways
- Land Transportation-Related Laws
- RA 4136, including:
- Traffic and administrative rules
- policies and regulations
- fines, penalties, and demerit system
- Special laws on driving, such as:
- Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act (RA 10586)
- Seatbelt Law (RA 8750)
- Anti-Distraction Driving Law (RA 10913)
- Child Safety in Motor Vehicle Act (RA 11229)
- RA 4136, including:
The CDE culminates at the issuance of a CDE certificate, a free, no-expiry certificate that proves that one has completed the refresher course and has successfully passed the CDE validation exam. It also proves that he or she has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills that a driver needs to operate a motor vehicle safely and responsibly along Philippine roads.
Benefits
Completing the CDE and getting a CDE certificate offers drivers the following benefits:
- A chance to fulfill the requirements for LTO driver’s license renewal
- A free lifetime CDE Certificate of Completion that does not expire
- A self-paced refresher course on the basics of driving, road safety, and associated laws
- A self-paced exam that can be taken and retaken as many times as possible at your own convenience.
- A certificate that proves that you are well-equipped to be a driver
- Proves that you deserve the new LTO driver’s license with 10-year validity
Qualifications
While anyone can take the CDE Online Validation Exam provided that they are willing to pay (if taking at an LTO-accredited driving school) or has an active LTMS portal account (for free), the following people may benefit the most from taking the CDE and getting a CDE certificate:
- Drivers who are holders of Philippine driver’s license
- Motorcycle riders who are Philippine driver’s license holders
- Filipino drivers who are renewing their driver’s license in the Philippines regardless of the number of demerit points accumulated
- Foreign nationals in the Philippines who are renewing their driver’s license regardless of the number of demerit points accumulated
- New car owners who wish to secure an LTO driver’s license in the Philippines
- Anyone who wishes to learn more about driving, driving conditions, road safety measures, and relevant Philippine laws
Requirements
If you wish to take the CDE Online Validation Exam, you simply need:
- An LTMS Portal online account
- An electronic or computing device, whether a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet
- A stable Internet connection
If you do not have an LTMS account yet, you will also need the following:
- A valid and active email address
- An active mobile number
- Information
- For those who already have a license, but no LTMS account
- Driver’s/conductor’s license number
- Expiry date
- Official receipt number (or mother’s maiden name if you no longer have your receipt)
- Full name
- Birthday
- Gender
- Mother’s maiden name
- emergency contact
- medical information
- Complete address
- For alien residents
- Alien certificate of registration number (ACR)
- ACR expiry date,
- Nationality
- For those who already have a license, but no LTMS account
How to Take the CDE Online Validation Exam
The CDE seminar is quite long with a lot of materials to study to prepare for the CDE Online Validation Exam. Though taking the test is a simple process in itself, the test isn’t easy to prepare for since there are only 25 questions. The good news is: It simply requires 50% or thirteen (13) correct answers to pass. This passing score applies to both professional and non-professional license holders.
The CDE exam is to be taken online via the LTO’s LTMS portal. With that, here’s a simple walkthrough of the CDE online validation exam, if you are taking it via the LTMS portal:
Step 1: Visit the LTO’s LTMS portal at https://portal.lto.gov.ph.
Step 2: Click the E-Learning tab.
Step 3: On the dropdown menu, click CDE Online Validation Exam.
Step 4: If you have an LTMS portal account, click Log In. Otherwise, click Register.
Step 5: Click Start Exam when you are ready to start.
Step 6: Choose whether you want to take the exam in English or in Filipino. You will then be redirected to the first of the 25-item multiple choice exam.
At the end of the exam, you’ll immediately get your result. If you pass the exam, a prompt will tell you that you can print your CDE certificate right away. Nevertheless, a copy of the CDE certificate will also be sent to you via email through your registered email address.
For Those Who Don’t Have LTMS Accounts, You Need to Register
On the other hand, if you don’t have an LTMS account yet, you may follow this guide on how to register for an LTMS account online.
Step 1: Visit the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal homepage at https://portal.lto.gov.ph.
Step 2: Click “Register now.”
Step 3: Read the Terms of Agreement, and click the check box that says “Yes, I Accept.”
Step 4: Enter the security code.
Step 5: Click “Next.”
Step 6: Choose the type of registrant that you are.
- For individual registrants: Select “Enroll as an individual” when asked for the type of registration.
- For organizations and companies: Select “Enroll as an organization” when asked for the type of registration.
Step 7; Select “Yes” or “No” depending on whether or not you already have a Philippine driver’s/conductor’s license.
- For those who already have a license:
- Provide the following information to complete the registration process:
- Driver’s/conductor’s license number
- Expiry date
- Official receipt number (or mother’s maiden name if you no longer have your receipt)
- Confirm your nationality (Filipino or otherwise), then, click “Next.”
- For first-time Filipino applicants: Provide the following information:
- Name
- Birthdate
- Mother’s Maiden Name
- For alien residents: provide the following details:
- Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) number
- Expiry date
- Nationality
- Click “Next.”
- Enter your contact information (email address and mobile number) and submit.
- For non-license holders: Click “No”
- Confirm your nationality (Filipino or otherwise), then, click “Next.”
- For first-time Filipino applicants: Provide the following information:
- Name
- Birthdate
- Mother’s Maiden Name
- For alien residents: provide the following details:
- Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) number
- Expiry date
- Nationality
- Click “Next.”
- Enter your contact information (email address and mobile number) and submit.
Step 8: Visit your inbox for the verification link.
Step 9: Click the verification link and complete the following required information:
- Emergency contact
- Medical information
- General information
- Address
Step 10: Once done, the portal will assign a 15-digit number that will serve as your username, so you may access your LTMS account.
Important Reminders
- According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), drivers who are set to renew their driver’s licenses (DL) may now take the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) 60 days before their renewal date, or even earlier.
- All CDE review materials can be obtained through any of the LTO offices and the LTO-accredited driving schools.
- You need to ensure that you used a valid and actively working email address on your LTMS account as your CDE certificate, among other things, will be sent there.
- The CDE has no “trick questions,” so make sure you read all the test questions carefully.
- Don’t overthink when answering the CDE validation exam as all of the test questions are taken from the CDE course directly.
- The CDE Certificate of Completion has no expiration, as mandated by the LTO Memorandum dated October 14, 2021.
- It’s best if you can print out a copy of the CDE certificate before going to LTO, as there are offices/branches with no printing facilities.
- The CDE is free if taken through any of the LTO’s Driver Education Centers (LTO DEC) or through the LTMS portal.
- You can also check with the LTO branch where you are renewing your DL to see if you can take the exam there at no cost.
- The CDE is not free if taken through any of the LTO-accredited driving schools.
- The best option of taking the CDE is through the LTMS, LTO’s very own online portal for driver’s license holders.
- The LTMS offers an e-Learning portal which gives duly-licensed motorists access to information on licensing, driving fundamentals, road courtesy and safety, motor vehicle registration, land transportation-related laws, and more, including an introduction to the theoretical exams for non-professional drivers, professional drivers, and conductors.
- The LTMS portal can be accessed anytime, anywhere, 24/7, on any device.
Video: CDE Online Validation Exam and Everything Else You Need to Renew Your Driver’s License
If you need a visual walkthrough to help you understand what the CDE online validation exam is and what it is for, and you wish to know all the other requirements to renew into a driver’s license with a 10-year validity period, you may check this Youtube video from PH Assistance YouTube Channel and Pinoy Car Guy:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are a lot of things that can happen when you take your CDE online validation exam, but if you have some questions about these things, you may check this list of common questions and answers in this section.
1. I’ve passed the CDE online validation exam for renewal. What should I do next?
If you are in the process of renewing your driver’s license, then, you simply need to print your CDE certificate then bring this certificate when you actually go to renew your driver’s license. Otherwise, even if you visit your preferred LTO branch for your DL renewal, you’ll still be required to take the online validation exam and show the result to the person in charge. To avoid wasting your time and to speed up the driver’s license renewal process, take the exam before visiting the LTO branch.
2. I failed the CDE online validation exam. What should I do?
There’s nothing to worry about in case you fail the VDE validation exam. You can simply retake the exam for as many times as it takes until you pass.
If you are worried about the status of your existing license while you are preparing for the CDE Online Validation Exam, the LTO says that its validity will not be affected regardless of how many times you retake the CDE exam.
3. Am I required to take the CDE validation exam if I convert my foreign driver’s license into a Philippine license?
Yes. If you have a valid foreign driver’s license, and you wish to convert it into a Philippine driver’s license, then you need to take the CDE online validation exam. If your foreign driver’s license is expired, you will also need to take the written and practical exams.
4. I want to change my maiden name to my married name on my driver’s license. Do I still need to secure a CDE certificate?
Yes. If you want to have a valid ID with your married name instead of your maiden name, you will need to process a request for a new driver’s license. As such, you will be required to present your CDE completion certificate along with the original copy of your marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and your old driver’s license. You will also need to visit the LTO branch since you’ll have to update not just your name but also your biometrics.
5. Can I take the CDE validation exam online?
Yes. As the only mandatory LTO exam you can take online is the CDE exam, it is accessible on the LTMS portal and available in English or Filipino. The reviewer are free as well, and can be watched on-demand. These resources can also be used by those who are taking theoretical driving course (TDC) as a reviewer when they start applying for a license.
6. Do I need to have an LTMS account to access the e-Learning tab and LTO learning resources?
No. The e-Learning tab and all the LTO learning resources are accessible via the LTMS portal, with or without an LTMS portal online account.
7. How can I verify my mobile number?
To verify your mobile number on your LTMS portal account requires, you may simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Log into your LTO online account via the LTMS portal.
Step 2: Click Profile.
Step 3: Under the Contact tab, click the Verify New Mobile Number.
Step 4: Enter the code sent to your mobile number.
Step 5: Click Verify.
8. I forgot my LTMS online account password. How do I reset it?
If you forgot or lost your LTMS account password, you may reset it by following these steps:
Step 1: Click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page.
Step 2: Key in your nominated email address or LTO client number.
Step 3: Click “OK.” You should receive an email containing a link allowing you to set a new password for your account.
Summary
That’s it! That’s everything you need to know about CDE and the CDE online validation exam. These are all part of LTO’s initiatives to help keep the Philippine roads safe by ensuring that only the most qualified and responsible motorists are allowed to hit the roads.
We hope that this guide has been helpful, and we wish you all the best as you prepare for your CDE online validation examination. Remember, there’s literally no harm in trying here as you can always retake the exam until you pass. When that happens, at least, you won’t be starting with zero knowledge.