LTO lifts TIN requirement

MANILA, Philippines - Reacting to complaints of driver’s license applicants, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has lifted the requirement of a Tax Information Number (TIN) card that complicated the processing of applications for a license.

LTO chief Arturo Lomibao issued last Wednesday Memorandum Circular 2009-1216 directing LTO branches nationwide to implement the requirement to present the TIN card only in the processing of student permits and new driver’s license applications.

Aside from student permits, the TIN will also be required for applicants of new conductor’s license number, duplicate professional and non-professional and conductor’s license, conversion of foreign license to local license, and student permit for foreigners.

TIN will no longer be required for the renewal of professional and non-professional drivers’ licenses, expired driver’s license from two to 10 years, revision of records and replacement of mutilated driver’s license.

The TIN or photocopy of the TIN card will, however, be required for the processing of driver’s license of Filipinos living abroad.

The TIN requirement is in compliance with the executive order issued by former President Joseph Estrada, which mandated all government agencies to require applicants for driver’s license - even students and non-taxpayers - to get a TIN before their application could be processed.

Lomibao, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who assumed his LTO post only last February, has ordered an investigation into the irregular processing of license renewal at the LTO branch in Las Piñas City, wherein an applicant for renewal of driver’s license was required to present a valid identification card and TIN card before his or her application would be processed.