Subdivision guards can’t make drivers leave their licenses: LTO

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) over the weekend warned homeowners’ associations in the city and elsewhere in Region 10 against the practice of making drivers leave their driving licenses with subdivision guards.

LTO regional director Oscar Salcedo said this particular subdivision rule is a violation of the law, and subdivision guards cannot do something that LTO personnel would not do unless there are violations.

Salcedo said the LTO has prepared a letter to presidents of various subdivision homeowners’ associations to stop the practice of compelling drivers of incoming vehicles not owned by homeowners to leave their licenses at the guard houses.

In his May 12 letter to homeowners’ associations, Salcedo said the practice is a violation of Section  19 of Republic Act  4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. The letter would be sent today.

He said the law provides: “Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor  vehicle without  having in his  possession a valid driver’s license to drive a motor vehicle.”

“A driver’s license is the privilege  granted to a person who has all the  qualifications  to secureone. A driver’s license card is a tangible   proof  of such privilege  which must be carried  by the drivers at all times while operating a motor vehicle,” he said.

Salcedo said the law applies even when people are driving vehicles inside private subdivisions.

He said that aside from violating the law, the problem would be compounded if the driver meets an accident on a subdivision road.

In lieu of driving licenses, Salcedo said, the subdivision guards may instead ask drivers to leave valid identification cards.

“Kanang Comelec ID, SSS ID, GSIS ID puwede na. Mahimo na nga ma-oy kuha-on sa security guard ug ilang ipabilin diha sa ilang entrance gate sa  subdivision. Dili lang kanang driver’s license,” Salcedo said. (nitz arancon)