The Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) is just one part of the Driving Enhancement Program (DEP) offered by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) or a duly accredited service provider to Filipino drivers. The course is especially designed as a corrective measure of sorts for license holders, professional or otherwise, who have had at least five (5) demerit points, and who intend to renew their licenses.
The course is also mandated by law as condition precedent to Driver’s License renewal of those with ten (10) accumulated demerit points or whenever the same violation is committed for at least three (3) times during the validity of the driver’s license.
Unlike the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) Course of the DEP, the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) is not a course for everyone. It is especially reserved for those with driving or traffic violations. It is also similar to the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) in the sense that the licensees need to apply for and complete the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) before they are allowed to renew their driver’s licenses. It also culminates with a written exam that attendees need to take and pass as well.
What is DRC
DRC stands for Driver’s Reorientation Course—a course designed in compliance with Section 14 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act No. 10930. It is a mandatory requirement for the renewal of a driver’s license with at least five (5) demerit points. It also serves as a condition precedent to driver’s license renewal for those who had accumulated at least ten (10) demerit points or who had committed the same violation for at least three (3) times during the validity of the driver’s license.
The DRC, unlike the CDE, requires a set number of training hours that must be completed before they can fully claim to have completed the DRC and secure a certificate of completion. As an intervention program, it is usually paired with the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and also culminates in a written examination. Meanwhile, public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who have committed franchise-related violation shall be required to undergo another intervention program in the form of a training-seminar conducted by the PUV Drivers’ Academy of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) along with the DRC. Failure to complete the courses would entail license suspension until the required attendance to the courses is complied with.
Purpose
The Driver’s Reorientation Course is a refresher course meant to remind licensed drivers with a long list of violations about the basics of driving and road safety. It is given as a penalty and disciplinary education and was designed for drivers who accumulated five (5) or more demerit points within the validity period of their licenses. Through this, the agency hopes that the driver’s would be reminded of the responsibility attached to the privilege to drive by having them learn to be more careful on the road.
Benefits
Some of the benefits associated with taking the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) includes:
- Being able to secure the Certificate of Completion which is a requirement for driver’s license renewal
- Getting a refresher course on the old rules of the road you may have already forgotten
- Getting a crash course on new LTO rules
- Being able to serve at least one of the penalties for accumulated demerits without spending money
- Being able to avoid possible suspension of driver’s license 30 days after committing a driving or traffic violation
- You can get a driver’s license which doubles as a valid photo ID that can be used when transacting in both public and private offices
- The license renewal process requires this if you have demerit points
Eligibility
To take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC), you must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a holder of active Driver’s License
- Must be a holder of a Driver’s License that has expired but not for more two (2) years
- Must be holders of Driver’s License with accumulated five (5) to nine (9) demerit points
- Must be holders of Driver’s License with ten (10) or more but less than forty (40) demerit points
- Must be a holder of an LTO Driver’s License that has been expired for more than two (2) years and/or with ten (10) or more but less than forty (40) Demerit Points
- Must be looking to renew their driver’s license
- Must be physically fit to operate a motor vehicle
- Must have sound mental faculties fit for operating a motor vehicle
- Must be a Traffic violator
- Must not have any unsettled traffic violation
Requirements
Before you can take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC), you need to first prepare the following documentary requirements:
- Official Receipt (OR) as proof for the payment of fine/s
- Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) (Pink copy) or e-TOP;
- In case of loss of TOP/e-TOP: an Affidavit of Loss
- Document printout or screenshot from the system showing the violation and the corresponding number of demerit points from the Data Control Unit (DCU) at the LTO Central Office
- Apprehension details from the Releasing Unit of the LTO Central Office
Procedures
To get into the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC), here are the steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Visit your preferred LTO Office. You can choose from any of the following:
- Drivers Education Centers (DECs) at the LTO Regional Offices
- Traffic Safety Division (TSD) at the LTO Central Office
Step 2: Proceed to the TSD/DEC Service Counter and present and/or submit the requirements to the TSD/DEC Officer of the day so they can evaluate and check for authenticity and completeness evaluation.
Step 3: Once the records of your driver’s license violation is retrieved and verified, the TSD/DEC Officer of the day will inform the licensee to register to the Client’s Attendance Sheet and fill out the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) Form.
Step 4: Register on the Client’s Attendance Sheet and fill out the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) Form.
Step 5: Once registered, attend the Driver’s Reorientation Course facilitated by the TSD/DEC proctor.
Step 6: After completing the course, take the examination facilitated by the TSD/DEC proctor.
- If passed: The proctor shall take your picture and prepare DRC Certificate of Completion.
- If failed: The proctor will tell you to retake the exam on the following regular working day or any day convenient for you.
Step 7: Once the Certificate of Completion is signed and uploaded to the Law Enforcement and Traffic Adjudication Service (LETAS)-Seminar Penalties to settle the seminar requirement, your Certificate of Completion will be released by the TSD/DEC Officer of the day.
Fees
There are no fees associated with the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC). It’s free, except, perhaps, for the expenses related to paying for the requirements and travel and personal needs.
Where to Avail
To take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC), you will first need to visit either of the following LTO offices:
- Drivers Education Centers (DECs) of LTO Regional Offices
- Traffic Safety Division (TSD) of LTO Central Office
Important Reminders
For your reference, here are some important reminders:
- The Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) is an intervention program tha serves both as a refresher course and a penalty for driver’s license holders with violations.
- It is a mandatory requirement for driver’s license renewal.
- The Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) is free of charge.
- Failure of the driver to complete the said intervention program within thirty (30) days from the date of the last apprehension shall cause the suspension of the driver’s license upon prior notice until the required attendance to the course is complied with. (Section 15, par. 2 of IRR of R.A. No. 10930.
- Just like the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE), the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) also culminates with a written exam.
- The Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) course and the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) together makes up the LTO Driver’s Education Program (DEP).
Video: Driver’s Education Program—Driver’s Reorientation Course
Learn more about the Driver’s Reorientation Course—the other half of the Driver Education Program (DEP) imposed by the LTO to both Filipino and foreign driver’s license holders in the country. Watch this video!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For more information on the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC), here are the most common questions and answers related to it:
1. Do I need to take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) every time I renew my license?
Not necessarily. The Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) is only required for license holders who have accumulated at least five (5) demerit points due to driving and traffic violations withing the duration of the license validity.
2. How much does it cost to enroll in the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC)?
The course itself doesn’t cost anything. It is given by the LTO for free. You might need to spend for the requirements or for personal expenses, though.
3. Can I take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) anywhere?
No. It isonly offered for free at the LTO Drivers Education Centers (DECs) at any of the LTO Regional Offices nationwide and at the Traffic Safety Division (TSD) at the LTO Central Office in East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
4. When should I take the LTO Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC)?
The Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) must be taken within thirty (30) days from the date of the last apprehension.
5. What happens if I fail to take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) on time?
Failure to take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) on time, which is within 30 days of the last apprehension, means the possibility of getting your license suspended until the course required is completed.
6. How would I know that I need to take the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC)?
The driver or license holder will receive a notification from the LTO stating the he is required to undergo a mandatory Driver’s Reorientation Course to be conducted by the Land Transportation Office or a duly accredited service provider for every ten (10) accumulated demerit points or whenever the same violation is committed for at least three (3) times during the validity of the driver’s license.
7. Is the Driver’s Reorientation Course (DRC) the same as the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) course?
No. These are two different course required by the LTO from drivers who wish to renew their licenses. The two makes up the LTO Driver Education Program though.
Summary
All driver’s license holder who wish to apply for the renewal of license to operate any motor vehicle legally buy has accrued at least five (5) demerit points during the license validity period are required to complete a Driver’s Reorientation Course to be conducted by the LTO DEC or any LTO-accredited service provider. It is a condition precedent to Driver’s License Renewal, especially for traffic violators in the country. Despite the hassle, it is a good chance to refresh your knowledge of the rules on the road, while the LTO hopes that such knowledge will keep you and the others safe while you drive. It’s a free course too, so there really is no reason not to comply.