In a move to strengthen passenger safety and ensure roadworthiness across the nation’s land transport system, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday issued Department Order No. 2025-008, mandating comprehensive alcohol and drug testing for all drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs), including motorcycle taxi riders.
The directive requires regular drug screening before employment and every six months thereafter, with additional provisions for random and suspicion-based testing. Operators are further directed to shoulder the cost of all testing and to use only accredited equipment and clinics to prevent fraudulent results.
Before a driver is dispatched, deployed, or allowed to operate a vehicle, the DOTr order requires operators to conduct alcohol concentration tests using a breath analyzer or similar device. Drivers must carry a copy of their latest test result at all times while operating a vehicle.
“All drivers must be free from the use of drugs, alcohol, or similar substances before employment and while on duty,” the DOTr emphasized, citing the urgent need to uphold public safety on the roads.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the initiative is part of a broader safety framework aimed at reducing road accidents and ensuring driver fitness. He also proposed cutting the maximum driving hours for PUV drivers from six to four, aligning with international standards followed in the European Union and Vietnam.
“This is a critical step toward professionalizing the transport sector and protecting the lives of passengers and drivers alike,” Dizon said. He further instructed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to intensify roadworthiness inspections of PUVs.
The DOTr’s latest order comes in line with President Marcos’ directive to “make the country’s roads safe again,” reflecting the administration’s heightened focus on public transport safety amid ongoing modernization efforts.
