Renewal of plastic-printed driver’s licenses to resume

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) recently released a schedule for the renewal and claiming of plastic card-printed driver’s license following the lifting of the injunction order of the Court of Appeals (CA).

The completion of the schedule is in compliance with the directive of LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II to rush the schedule in order for motorists to start claiming their plastic-printed driver’s license next week.

“Ito naman ang bilin ng ating Department of Transportation Secretary Jame Bautista na dapat ay may magandang balita na babalikan ang ating mga kliyente pagkatapos ng kanilang mahabang bakasyon,” said Mendoza in a statement.

Mendoza said that he already instructed their officials down to the regional level to prepare the list of schedules as their goal is to start the distribution process of the plastic-printed driver’s license this week.

Based on the LTO memo, the schedule for renewal of driver’s licenses with expiration dates from April 1 to August 31, 2023 and April 1 to April 30, 2024 are scheduled from April 15 to April 30, 2024.

Those with driver’s licenses with expiration dates from Sept 1 to Dec 31, 2023 and May 1 to May 31, 2024 are scheduled to renew their licenses from May 1 to May 31, 2024.

For driver’s licenses with expiration dates from Jan 1 to March 31, 2024 and June 1 to June 30, 2024, they are scheduled to renew their licenses from June 1 to June 30, 2024.

“Failure of the driver to renew his/her driver’s license within the prescribed schedule shall render the license expired,” the memorandum read.

At least a million pieces of plastic cards were delivered to the LTO Central Office on Monday, March 25, after the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the DOTr and the LTO, through the Office of the Solicitor General, when it lifted the Writ of Preliminary Injunction issued by a Quezon City court last year.

The injunction order halted the delivery of 3.2 million remaining plastic cards and eventually resulted in the backlog of plastic-printed driver’s licenses which is around 4.1 million by the end of March.

With the assured delivery of the remaining 3.2 million plastic cards, Mendoza said they will be able to narrow the backlog gap while the LTO is exhausting all measures to ensure sufficient supply and stock for the entire 2024.

Mendoza said the schedule list is aimed at ensuring that motorists would not flock to LTO offices all at once.

He said that the list will ensure orderly distribution. The list will also be posted in their LTO offices and in their social media accounts.

Mendoza further said he has already instructed the regional directors to coordinate with the LTO Central Office for the delivery of the plastic cards down to the district offices and satellite offices nationwide. (CEBU NEWS)