A Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) Certificate is a certificate issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) upon the completion of one of the two Driving Education Program (DEP), the other being the Driver Reorientation Course (DRC) the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) course. It is a mandatory requirement that needs to be submitted to the LTO upon renewal of an LTO driver’s license.
The CDE certificate is an easy requirement to acquire. All you need is to complete the five (5) hour mandatory refresher course for drivers and motorcycle riders and pass the written exam at the end of the course. Nonetheless, we dare say it’s a pretty effective deterrent for those who aren’t hell-bent on keeping their license and the privilege to drive legally on Philippine public roads. After all, not everyone has the time nor the patience to sit for the CDE for nothing.
What is a CDE Certificate?
A CDE certificate is a free, no-expiry certificate that proves that one has completed the five-hour Comprehensive Driver’s Education mandated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) from anyone who wishes to renew their driver’s license in the Philippines. It is like a diploma for the CDE course, designed in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10930, and it ensures that the drivers know and remember everything they should before they qualify for a driver’s license.
Getting a CDE certificate means that you have finished the CDE refresher course and got at least thirteen (13) correct answers out of the 25-item multiple-choice exam known as the CDE online validation exam. It means that you have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in driving, road safety, and proper road etiquette to have your license renewed. It is also one of the requirements for renewing 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 Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal.
Getting the CDE certificate means that you have reviewed the following topics covered by the CDE:
- 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:
Benefits of Having a CDE Certificate
A CDE certificate also comes with several benefits:
- It is a free refresher course on driving basics, road safety, and the rules of the road.
- It does not have an expiration date.
- The exam can be taken as many times as possible, for free via the LTMS portal
- For only five hours, you can get a crash course on safe driving, road safety, traffic rules and regulations, and other LTO laws
- The certificate proves that you have done your due diligence regarding updating yourself on new LTO laws
Who Needs a CDE certificate
The CDE certificate is available to everyone who wishes to know more about driving and road rules. It is also a necessary requirement for all holders of professional and nonprofessional driver’s licenses(PDL/NPDL) due for renewal. The certificate proves that the applicant has completed the mandatory five-hour course consisting of six (6) major topics about everything they need to know so they can drive safely on the roads.
When is the CDE Certificate Required
Pursuant to Section 27 of the IRR of RA No. 10930, all license holders of 5-year validity driver’s licenses must undergo the CDE on road safety and proper road courtesy upon their first renewal.
The same IRR states that the CDE certificate is a mandatory requirement for the following licensing transactions:
- Plain renewal of driver’s license holders that were issued student-driver’s permit prior to 03 August 2020;
- Renewal of driver’s license with miscellaneous license transactions (e.g., revision of records, additional driver’s license code/s, etc.);
- Renewal of expired Philippine driver’s license with a valid foreign driver’s license (continuity Philippine driver’s license);
- Renewal of driver’s licenses with five or more demerit points (in addition to the completion of driver’s reorientation course);
- Renewal of driver’s licenses of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipinos living abroad in addition to the conditions provided under Section 9.4.4 of the Supplemental IRR of RA No. 10930;
- Renewal of licenses expired for more than two (2) years in addition to the requirements provided under Section 9.4.2 of the Supplemental IRR of R.A. No. 10930; and
- Advance renewal for Filipinos with imminent travel out of the country as provided under Section 12.1 of the Supplemental IRR of R.A. No. 10930.
How to Get a CDE Certificate
To get a CDE certificate, one must first take the mandatory CDE course. Then, they need to pass the 25-item CDE Validation Exam. This can be taken in any of the LTO offices in the Philippines or from the comforts of your own home, via the LTMS portal.
Fees
As mentioned, the CDE course is free. Likewise, the Certificate also doesn’t cost a thing. You don’t have to spend anything to get a CDE certificate, except for your time and effort. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
Where to Get a CDE Certificate
Just like the CDE course, the CDE certificate can be taken from any LTO District Office (DO), Extension Office (EO), Driver’s License Renewal Office (DLRO), or LTO DEC or online via the LTMS portal.
Important Reminders
For your reference, here are some tips worth remembering:
- The CDE course and exam can be accessed online for free anytime using the driver’s license applicant’s LTMS account.
- The E-Learning module accessed via the LTMS Portal can only be accessed one at a time, with a predefined order and time limit so it cannot be skipped or bypassed by any applicant before taking the examination component.
- The timestamp for starting and completing a topic is recorded and the access to subsequent topics shall be restricted until the time allotted for the preceding topic has elapsed.
- In cases where the applicant is technologically challenged or has difficulty using the available facility, the Chief of Office may provide a randomized pen-and-paper test.
- If an LTO office is short of equipment to access or answer the COE Online Validation Examination, it is the discretion of the Chief of Office to provide a randomized pen-and-paper test.
- The pen-and-paper test sheets shall be signed by the Driving Skills Rater and the Chief of Office.
- In order to pass the CDE culminating exam, the applicant must correctly answer at least eighty percent (80%) of the twenty-five (25) questions randomly selected from the bank of questions.
- The examination shall be administered with a duration of not more than thirty (30) minutes.
- The use of cellular phones and any other gadgets, including smart phones/watches, books and other forms of printed materials and all other similar items while taking the examination is not allowed.
- For those who take the CDE examination onsite, after the completion of the course and passing the required examination, the applicant will be issued a Certificate of Course Completion (COC) which shall be electronically transmitted in real-time to the LTMS by the facility.
Video: How to Get Free CDE Certificate Online
Learn how to get your free CDE certificate online by watching this video from Pinoy Car Guy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For more information, you may check this list of commonly asked questions:
1. Are all driver’s license holders required to secure a CDE certificate to renew their licenses?
No. A CDE certificate is no longer required for the renewal of all driver’s license holders that were issued with Student-driver’s Permit on or after 03 August 2020, and those who have renewed to their current driver’s license on or after 28 October 2021.
2. Can I get my CDE certificate online?
Yes. You simply need to visit the LTMS portal, register for an LTMS account, take the CDE course and online validation exam, then you’ll be able to get your CDE certificate.
3. Is the CDE certificate free?
Taking the CDE online validation exam and securing the CDE certificate online, via the LTMS portal, is free of charge.
4. Can I retake the CDE exam if I fail?
Yes. You can retake as many times as you want. It’s free too, so taking it repeatedly shouldn’t cause much trouble.
5. How long is the CDE exam required for the CDE certificate?
It only takes about 30 minutes to complete the 25-item multiple choice exam online.
Summary
The Comprehensive Driver’s Education is a course designed in compliance with Section 27 of the (IRR) of R.A. No. 10930 as a requirement for the initial renewal of the five (5)-year validity driver’s license. The CDE certificate of completion signifies that the course has been completed and that you have successfully passed the culminating written exam. The CDE certificate proves that you know your stuff so you can safely be let out on the road.