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With more driving schools on the list of accredited partners of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the driving schools are getting their opportunity to be officially licensed. As such, more driving schools start to emerge, resulting in more schools in need of LTO accreditation renewal so they can continue offering driving courses to all license applicants in the Philippines. 

Just like the accreditation service, the LTO also offers accreditation renewal service for driving schools in the country. Going through the accreditation renewal procedures allow the driving schools to continue operating legally and producing more responsible drivers in the country. 

LTO Accreditation Renewal for Driving Schools

Being an LTO-accredited driving school allows driving schools to legally operate as a steering and driving learning institution. The accreditation usually requires these schools to pass stringent assessment and screening procedures before they can get the authority to engage in the conduct of lectures on Theoretical (TDC) and Practical Driving Courses (PDC). With the accreditation renewal, the institutions are seeking permission to continue enjoying the benefits afforded to them by their initial accreditation. 

Importance of Renewing LTO Accreditation for Driving Schools

Just like the LTO accreditation for driving schools, the renewal of accreditation is important due to the following reasons: 

• It ensures that driving institutions comply with LTO-prescribed standards on driving instructor’s qualifications, physical sites and facilities, equipment, materials, and other similar requirements;
• It standardize the education course components, as well as the topics and minimum time requirements, among all accredited driving institutions; 
• It raises the standards of instruction to a specific level of quality to develop safety consciousness and positive driving attitudes on the road;
• It gives the schools the authority to offer driver and conductor education programs; 

• It monitors the operation of driving institutions, ensuring that the facilities and equipment, as well as the quality of instruction, are strictly maintained;
• It makes for efficient implementation of rules and regulations in relation to the operation of driving institutions.

Eligibility for LTO Accreditation Renewal for Driving Schools

The renewal of LTO accreditation for driving schools is an LTO service available to all driving schools that have already been established, operating, and which have previously been issued a certificate to operate.

Requirements for Renewal of LTO Accreditation for Driving Schools

To renew the LTO accreditation for driving schools, you must first prepare the following documentary requirements:

• Duly accomplished application form under oath and signed by the owner; 
• Payment of non-refundable application fee amounting to One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00); 
• An audited financial statement for the previous year, prepared by a certified public accountant; 
• Valid Business Permit; 
• Certificate of Registration from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); 
• List of accredited instructors with their driver’s license number and other pertinent qualifications; · 
• Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) of the vehicles registered under the name of the proprietor of the driving school in case of a sole proprietorship, or in the name of partnership or corporation, whichever is applicable; and 
• Payment of non-refundable renewal accreditation fee amounting to Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00). 
• For late renewal: A fee of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00).

Procedures for Renewal of LTO Accreditation for Driving Schools

For a complete guide on how to renew your LTO accreditation as a driving school, please check the following steps:

Step 1: Visit the Regional Accreditation Committee (RACs) at the LTO Regional Office with jurisdiction over the location of the driving school. 

Step 2: Proceed to the RAC Secretariat and secure the application form for the accreditation of driving schools. You may also download the form from the LTO website (www.lto.gov.ph).

Step 3: Submit the application form and the documentary requirements to the Office of the Regional Director concerned, through the designated officer at the RAC Secretariat in the LTO Regional Office for evaluation for completeness and for verification.

Step 4: Once the documents are evaluated and verified by the designated personnel from the RAC Secretariat Regional Office, you will be issued a Payment Order Slip (POS).

Step 5: Upon issuance of your Payment Order Slip (POS), proceed to the cashier for the payment of non-refundable application fee. 

Step 6: Once paid, wait for the OR to be issued.

Step 7: Once your OR for the payment of the application fees is released, proceed to the RAC and submit a copy of the Application Fee OR.

Step 8: Wait for the RAC Secretariat to complete the evaluation of the submitted documents as well as the conduct of the mandatory reinspection of the driving school’s facilities, equipment, motor vehicles, and other requirements within fifteen (15) working days upon receipt of the complete documentary requirements. 

• Step 8a: If found non-compliant, the RAC will send a written notification detailing any deficiency or nonconformity in the submitted requirements as well as recorded findings after the conduct of reinspection.  
• Step 8b: You will be given a non-extendible period of seven (7) working days from receipt of the notice to comply with the findings. 
• Step 8c: Within five (5) days, the LTO Regional Director will either disapprove the application or endorse the same together with the approved Inspection Report to the Central Office Driving Institutions Accreditation Committee (CODIAC).

Step 9: The CODIAC and the Inspection Team will conduct an inspection of the driving school’s facilities, equipment, motor vehicles, and other requirements as prescribed.

• Step 9a: Otherwise, the CODIAC, within a period of five (5) working days, shall either disapprove the application or endorse the same together with the approved Inspection Report.
  • If found non-compliant: In case the CODIAC finds a deficiency or nonconformity in the submitted requirements, the CODIAC Vice Chairperson shall immediately notify in writing the applicant, through the RAC, stating the grounds for disapproval. 
  • If approved: The CODIAC Secretariat shall prepare a Certificate of Renewal of Accreditation which shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of payment of the accreditation fee.
• Step 9b: The CODIAC Vice Chairperson shall then recommend the approval of the same to the Assistant Secretary. 
• Step 9c: The Assistant Secretary, within fifteen (15) working days upon receipt in his office, shall approve or disapprove the applications for accreditation as endorsed by the CODIAC.
  • If the Assistant Secretary failed to do so, the application is considered approved provided that all required documents have been submitted and all required fees and charges have been paid.

Step 10: Wait for the Payment Order Slip (POS) to be issued.

Step 11: Upon issuance of your Payment Order Slip (POS), proceed to the cashier for the payment of the accreditation fee and other related fees. 

Step 12: Once paid, wait for the OR to be issued.

Step 13: Once your OR for the payment of the accreditation and other fees is released, submit a copy of OR to the RAC Secretariat.

Step 14: Once the CODIAC Secretariat shall renew the driving school’s accreditation to the LTMS immediately upon receipt of the approved Certificate of Renewal of Accreditation.

Step 15: Wait for the approved Certificate of Renewal of Accreditation to be released after the RAC disseminates it to the LTO-accredited driving school. 

Cost of Renewal of LTO Accreditation for Driving Schools

When applying for renewal of LTO accreditation for a driving school, you may want to prepare to pay the following fees: 

• Application Fee – P 1,000.00
• Legal Research Fee – P 10.00
• Accreditation Fee – P 3,000.00
• Late Renewal Fee – P 5,000.00
• Legal Research Fee – P 10.00

Where to Apply for Renewal of LTO Accreditation for Driving Schools

When applying for renewal of LTO accreditation for your driving school, you would need to visit the Regional Accreditation Committee (RACs)  at the LTO Regional Office where the driving school is accredited.

Processing Time

Renewal of LTO accreditation for driving schools is a multi-stage process, meaning, each process may be done within a day or two, depending on the availability or compliance of the applicant. The total processing time, however, is estimated to be within 40 working days as well.

Validity

Upon renewal of LTO accreditation for driving schools, the driving schools can get a Certificate of Renewal of Accreditation with a validity period of one (1) year from the date of payment of the accreditation fee. However, depending upon the performance assessment in the last accreditation period and upon recommendation of the RAC and the CODIAC, a driving institution with good standing and no record of violation and suspension may get a renewal of accreditation with a validity period of two (2) years. 

Important Reminders

For your reference, here are some important tips and reminders you’d want to remember when applying for renewal of the LTO accreditation for driving school.

• The applicant for renewal of accreditation of driving school is filed with the Office of the Regional Director through the Regional Accreditation Committee (RAC) having jurisdiction over the location of the driving school.
• A period of thirty (30) working days is given to the applicant to file for renewal of accreditation. 
• The last day of filing for renewal of LTO accreditation of driving school shall be twenty (20) working days prior to the expiration of the certificate of accreditation. 
• A late renewal fee costs up to Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) shall be charged upon failure to file a complete renewal application within the prescribed thirty (30)-day period.
• Applications with incomplete requirements shall not be entertained.
• A Certificate of Renewal of Accreditation shall be valid for one (1) year reckoned from the date of payment of accreditation fee. Based on the performance 
• assessment during its last accreditation period and upon recommendation of the RAC and the CODIAC, a driving institution with good standing and no record 
• of violation and suspension shall be entitled to a renewal of accreditation valid for two (2) years.
• Accreditation of Driving School is under multi-stage processing. Each process may be done within the day or in another day, depending on the availability or compliance of the applicant.
• Processing time includes waiting time and starts upon the submission of complete requirements, and excludes the time for shipping of the certificates and other documents from Regional Office to Central Office and vice versa.
• In the event of findings of deficiency or nonconformity in the submitted requirements as well as recorded findings after the conduct of inspection, the applicant shall immediately be notified in writing and shall be given a non-extendible period of seven (7) working days from receipt of the notice to comply with the findings
• The Assistant Secretary, within fifteen (15) working days upon receipt in his office, shall approve or disapprove the applications for accreditation as endorsed by the CODIAC. If the Assistant Secretary failed to do so, the said application shall be deemed approved provided that all required documents have been submitted and all required fees and charges have been paid by virtue of Sec. 10 of R.A. No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
• No driving school shall operate without the possession of any valid certificate of accreditation. 
• Based on the performance assessment during its last accreditation period and upon recommendation of the RAC and the CODIAC, a driving institution with good standing and no record of violation and suspension shall be entitled to a renewal of accreditation valid for two (2) years. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For more information, here are some common questions and answers regarding renewal of LTO accreditation for driving schools:

1. Why do driving schools need to consistently renew their LTO accreditation?

All driving schools need to consistently renew their LTO accreditation in order to operate and to consistently assure the government and the public of the quality of driver’s education that they offer. It also proves that drivers who were issued their driver’s licenses are deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills and knowledge of road safety and proper road courtesy.

2. Can I visit any LTO office to renew the LTO accreditation for my driving school? 

No. You can only visit the RAC at the LTO Regional Office where the driving school is accredited. This LTO office must be the same one with jurisdiction over the location of the driving school. 

3. How much does it cost to become an LTO-accredited driving school?

LTO accreditation for driving school takes about forty (40) days and costs at leasts P6,020.00. In the event of late renewal, there’s a late renewal penalty amounting to P5,000.00 as well. 

4. How long is the validity period of the Certificate of Renewal of Accreditation for driving schools?

The Certificate of Renewal of Accreditation is usually valid for only one (1) year from the date of payment of accreditation fee. However, depending upon the performance assessment in the last accreditation period and upon the recommendation of the RAC and the CODIAC, a driving institution with good standing and no record of violation and suspension may get a renewal of accreditation with a validity period of two (2) years. 

5. When should I renew the LTO accreditation for driving schools?

The LTO accreditation for driving schools must be completed within twenty (20) working days prior to the expiration of the certificate of accreditation. After that, the driving schools have thirty (30) working days to file for renewal of accreditation and avoid the late renewal penalty.

Summary

With the increase in the number of driving schools in the country, it is imperative for the LTO to be more vigilant about watching out for non-registered driving schools. As such, the LTO offers the option to renew the LTO accreditation so the driving schools can operate legally in the Philippines. With this guide on the renewal procedures for LTO accreditation of driving schools, we hope that the process become easier for you to complete.