PUBLIC Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers nationwide will go through a free mandatory driver's education in July after several accidents due to reckless driving that resulted to multiple deaths of passengers.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board member and spokesperson lawyer Aileen Lizada, in an interview, said PUV operators nowadays accept drivers without any certified driving background to prove their performance.
Thus, the simultaneous nationwide mandatory driver's education of LTFRB, Lizada said, will ensure that the drivers of all PUVs in the country - jeepney, taxi, bus, vans, and school vehicles are approved under the standards of LTFRB.
Lizada said consequent to the announcement of the driver's education date this July, the LTFRB regional offices will be accommodating drivers by batch on a first-come-first-serve basis.
"When they arrive in the office, they are advised to fill out the driver's information sheet for our office to have a database on all PUV drivers' backgrounds. After that, they will be given a schedule of their whole day training," she said.
The whole-day training of the drivers, Lizada said, includes two exams from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) School of Governance and De La Salle University (DLSU) Psychology Department.
She said ADMU will conduct the examination on drivers' knowledge on driving laws and regulations while DLSU will provide the psychological examination as well as anger management training.
Lizada said LTFRB will also take part in the training by educating the drivers on the terms and conditions of PUV franchise.
"Once they pass all two exams, the drivers will be provided an official LTFRB PUV Driver's I.D. that indicates that they are qualified to drive any PUVs. If they fail one or both exams, they have to take the exams again," Lizada said.
She added that they are looking forward to finish the drivers' education first quarter of 2018.
The spokesperson also said all PUV drivers are covered, adding that only those who were given the official PUV Driver's I.D. are allowed to drive PUVs all over the country. LTFRB regional offices are training their instructors to ensure that all regions will be taught the same topics. (BSC)