LTO extends validity of driver’s licenses to April 2024

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced on Thursday that the validity of driver’s licenses expiring on April 3, 2023 and onward were automatically extended until April 2, 2024.

In a press conference held on Friday, LTO Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said that the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) barring deliveries of plastic cards to the LTO was lifted last Wednesday and that the LTO had already received a delivery of 200,000 cards.

The current supply, however, was still not enough to respond to the needs of the public.

“Wala pa ho tayong sapat na stock para matugunan po lahat ng ating backlog, that’s why we are extending [the validity],” said Mendoza.

(We still don't have adequate stocks to address the backlog, that's why we are extending the validity.)

According to Mendoza, the public would be informed through a memorandum of a renewal schedule once the card supply was replenished.

“Unang una po ang ating unang kine-cater yung OFWs natin, tapos yung mga may planong maglakbay abroad. ‘Yun ang ating priority,” Mendoza added.

(We are first catering to our OFWs, then those who have plans to travel abroad. Those are the priorities.)

Motorists who wish to renew their licenses are still welcome to renew their licenses, but they will only receive a paper receipt with a validity stamp.

“Siguro pag naka isang milyon [na cards] na tayo, makakahabol na tayo. We will inform the public if we are ready to issue that plastic licenses for those who have no card,” Mendoza added.

(If we have maybe a million cards, we'll start catching up.)

Meanwhile, the LTO is also planning to push forward an informational campaign on the issuance of Electronic Driver’s Licenses as another possible alternative to the lack of plastic cards.

“It needs a lot of information drive kasi di pa alam ng ating mga motorista kung paano ia-apply etong electronic licenses. We’re putting together an entire plan of action para mas lumawak ito,” Mendoza said.

(It needs a major information drive because motorists are unaware of how to apply for an electronic license. We’re putting together an entire plan of action so this information drive will reach a wider audience.)

“We’re doing our staff work on this, making sure that, once we implement this, everything on the back end ay maayos na. Meron pa kaming konting mga coordination na kailangan gawin, at tyaka information campaign eventually, for electronic licenses given that they will push forward,” he added.

(We’re doing our staff work on this, making sure that, once we implement this, everything on the back end is ready. There's still a little more coordination that needs to be done, and also an information campaign eventually, for electronic licenses given that they will push forward.)

On August 17, a TRO issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court barred the LTO from receiving plastic card supplies from their highest bidder after the lowest bidder filed a complaint due to a “lack of transparency” from the department.

According to the Department of Transportation, the lowest bidder was disqualified as it had a history of delays in their contracts with other government agencies. — DVM, GMA Integrated News