Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended 12 accredited driving schools in Metro Manila, along with their instructors, following allegations of issuing certificates to students who did not complete the mandatory practical driving lessons.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LTO issued show cause orders to these driving schools for alleged irregularities related to the issuance of Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificates of completion. Preliminary findings suggest that these schools reportedly granted certificates to students who skipped or did not finish the required eight hours of practical driving instruction.

The issuance of these PDC certificates contravenes LTO Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2023-2460 and includes violations such as fraud, misrepresentation, irregular use of accreditation, and non-compliance with established regulations. The implicated driving schools and instructors have been directed to provide written explanations and supporting documents to the LTO. Failure to comply will result in a waiver of their right to a hearing, and the committee will proceed based on the existing records.

During the ongoing investigation, the schools and instructors are under a 30-day preventive suspension. They are prohibited from conducting any driver education activities and from using the Land Transportation Management System for certificate processing until a final decision is made, unless otherwise modified by the committee.

Last June, the LTO summoned 205 driving schools for multiple violations, including improper issuance of driving course certificates and tampering with the LTO's computer systems. These schools were found to have bypassed the Land Transportation Management System by uploading more theoretical and practical driving course certificates than the daily limit allowed by the LTO.