DRIVER’S licenses that expired on April 3, 2023 will remain valid until April 2, 2024 or until the new plastic card is released, said the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Attorney Vigor Mendoza II issued the memorandum, dated September 6, 2023, that directed all regional directors and heads of district offices of the agency to implement the extension until April 2, 2024, “or until such time availability of plastic cards is sufficient, which will be the subject of a separate memorandum.”
Under the memorandum, there will be no collection of penalties for licenses with extended validity.
In case the holder renews his/her license, LTO personnel will mark the system generated driver’s license official receipt as “Valid as Temporary Driver’s License Until Plastic Card is Released,” including the following details:
* The name of the issuing office, contact personnel/mobile phone number/email address;
* The name and signature of the releasing officer;
* A screenshot of the client’s driver’s license card (front and back) printed at the back of the official receipt.
The license card will be returned to its owner.
Mendoza said they are continuously working together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to address the backlogs, which is due to the shortage of plastic cards.
In a bid to address the backlogs, the DOTr earlier ordered the procurement of five million pieces of plastic cards.
“Patuloy na gumagawa ng paraan ang inyong DOTr at ang inyong LTO upang matugunan sa lalong madaling panahon ang ating kinakaharap na hamon ukol sa driver’s license. Makakasa ang ating mga kababayang motorista na sa mga action plan na ito, laging isinasa-alang-alang ang inyong kapakanan,” said Mendoza.
(Your DOTr and your LTO continue to work to meet the challenge we are facing regarding the driver's license as soon as possible. Our fellow motorists can rest assured that in these action plans, your welfare is always considered.) (SunStar Philippines)