The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has placed 12 accredited driving schools and their instructors in Metro Manila under temporary suspension over alleged irregularities in the issuance of driving course certificates.
In a statement released Tuesday, the LTO said it had served show cause orders directing the concerned schools to explain the reported violations.
The agency gave the institutions five days to submit written responses addressing the allegations.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the driving schools and their instructors were placed under a 30 day preventive suspension.
Initial findings showed that some students were allegedly issued certificates even though they did not complete the required eight hours of practical driving lessons.
The LTO said the acts may constitute violations of Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2023-2460, which covers cases of fraud, misrepresentation, and failure to comply with established training standards.
Authorities said the instructors assigned to the programs were also being looked into for possible involvement in the irregularities.
While the investigation is ongoing, the affected schools are barred from conducting driving lessons or processing certificates through the Land Transportation Management System until a final decision is issued or the suspension is lifted.