You’re the designated driver during road trips with friends or family, or perhaps you’re about to go on a long drive for a business trip. One thing a responsible driver should always check before any trip is to ensure that his or her driver’s license is valid.
A driving license is a legal document that confirms that an individual is skilled enough to drive and operate a a motorized vehicle, such as a car, motorcycle, or a heavy vehicle like a bus or truck. It is important to always keep it valid and ensure that it is not expired for you to avoid any potential problems and penalties.
Here’s a quick guide and some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you renew your driver’s license at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Renewal Process
To renew your LTO driver’s license at your nearest LTO office, these are the following steps you need to follow:
1. Request and accomplish the Application Driver’s License (ADL) form.
Upon arriving at the nearest LTO office, you need to:
- Get the queue number and wait for your turn.
- Secure an Application Driver’s License (ADL) Form.
- Accomplish the ADL Form.
2. Submit the accomplished ADL form along with the requirements and the queue number.
3. Proceed to the cashier for payment of fees.
4. Take a written examination.
- If failed – get the computer-generated letter of the results and come back on another day to retake the exam.
- If passed – you may proceed to the actual driving test.
5.Take the actual driving test.
- If failed – you may come back on another day to reapply for a license renewal.
- If passed – you may proceed to the cashier for payment of fees. Afterwards, proceed to the encoding and biometric window to complete the form for the encoding of complete details in the new LTO-IT system.
6. For the final step, you may now wait for your official receipt (OR) and your renewed driver’s license (DL) card.
Requirements
What are the things you need to prepare for your driver’s license renewal application?
1. Duly accomplished ADL form.
2. Original and photocopy of a government-issued ID that bears your picture and signature.
3. One copy of the original and a photocopy of the electronically transmitted medical certificate from any LTO-accredited medical clinic.
4. Electronically transmitted Certificate of Completion of the Driving Enhancement Program (DEP).
5. Original Driver’s License Card (expired or expiring).
Fees
How much should you pay for your driver’s license renewal application?
For plain renewal (regular fee):
License fee: P585.00
Computer fee: P67.63
Total: P652. 63
Fees for renewal of 1 day to 1 year expired driver’s license:
License fee: P585.00
Penalty: P75.00
Computer fee: P67.63
Total: P727. 63
Fees for renewal of more than 1 year to 2 years expired driver’s license:
License fee: P585.00
Penalty: P150.00
Computer fee: P67.63
Total: P802. 63
Fees for renewal of more than 2 years expired driver’s license:
License fee: P585.00
Penalty: P225.00
Computer fee: P135.26
Application fee: P100.00
Total: P1,045.26
FAQs
If this is your first time renewing your driver’s license, you may have a lot of questions in mind on what the process entails. So here are some of the frequently asked questions about renewing your driver’s license.
1. Where can I renew my driver’s license?
The processing of driver’s license renewal applications is available at any of the following offices:
- LTO Central Office (License Section)
- LTO Licensing Centers
- Authorized District Offices or Extension Offices
2. Is a medical exam no longer mandatory for license renewal?
In the Philippines, obtaining a medical certificate is still necessary for renewing a driver’s license. This implies that the medical exam must be completed 60 days before or on the day that your license is being renewed.
3. My driver’s license expired in 2023. Can I still use it?
Due to a lack of plastic cards, licenses that expired on April 1st, 2023, will remain valid until the planned renewal date based on the license’s expiration date, according to the LTO. This indicates that you can continue to use your license until the time for its renewal. If your license expires between April 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023, be mindful to renew it according to the LTO’s schedule.
4. What will happen if I don’t renew my driver’s license?
The LTO stated that if you don’t renew your driver’s license by the designated renewal date, it will be considered to have expired automatically. In the event that your license is determined to be expired while driving, you will be hit with a ₱3,000 fine.
5. I have just recently renewed my license and received only a paper-printed version. What should I do?
Just return to the LTO licensing office that handled your renewal and show the official payment receipt. Your driver’s license in plastic should be issued to you.
Online appointment
Aside from the in-person renewal application, you may also book an online appointment for the renewal application.
Here are steps you need to follow to renew your driver’s license through the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal.
1. Login to the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal homepage at http://portal.lto.gov.ph.
2. Select licensing in the LTMS dashboard.
3. Read the Terms of Agreement and click the checkbox that says, “Yes, I accept.”
4. On the Online Application Form, select Driver’s License as the License Classification.
5. Click Add Medical Certificate. Input your medical certificate number. You’ll also need to upload a copy of your CDE certificate.
6. Click Verify. Select renewal for the type of application.
7. Click the next button. On the next page, select your preferred appointment schedule and LTO branch.
8. Pay the renewal fees via your chosen payment channel.
9. Proceed to your selected LTO office on your appointment date.
Tips from LTO
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has given some useful tips and reminders that you can keep in mind for a safer, faster, and hassle-free driver’s license renewal process.
Go to the LTO office early.
During peak hours, the license renewal process may require one hour or longer. To avoid the crowd, it is preferable to queue up before the opening hours.
Review and dress appropriately.
LTO reminded the renewal applicants to prepare for the exams by going through the LTO LTMS portal or other available materials, as well as dress appropriately and avoid wearing undershirts or sandos for men, sport shorts, and slippers when going to the LTO.
Settle past traffic violations.
Make sure that all your traffic violations have been resolved before you visit the LTO to renew your driver’s license. Pay all of your fines in advance. Paying the costs on the day of your renewal will just cause the procedure to drag out.
Double-check your documents.
If you plan to apply in person, complete your application beforehand. By doing this, you’ll be able to save time and go to the next phase of your renewal. Verify the information once again after completing the form. Any errors or inconsistencies will cause a delay in your application.
Schedule your medical exam in advance.
Make an appointment in advance for your medical exam to prevent having to wait in line. Have your medical exam at a clinic recognized by the LTO a few days prior to your scheduled appointment. In the Philippines, obtaining a medical certificate for the purpose of renewing your driver’s license would cost you around ₱500.
Avoid fixers at all costs.
LTO has strongly advised against dealing with fixers. Even though the driver’s license renewal procedure can be time-consuming, hiring a fixer is still not justified. Going to a fixer will not only entail additional expenses; it will also promote corruption. Should you be caught, you also risk suffering from the legal consequences.
Prioritize advance renewal.
If possible, it’s better to renew your license as early as you can. LTO advised doing the renewal as early as 60 days prior to the DL expiry date. By doing so, you’ll be able to avoid paying higher penalty fees.
Renew your driver’s license now!
Although the driver’s license renewal procedure in the Philippines has improved due to the changes implemented by the LTO, you still need to set realistic expectations and plan ahead when you renew your driver’s license.
By doing your research and following the tips from LTO, you can avoid unnecessary glitches and hassles during the process.
So for those of you who have an expired or expiring driver’s license, do not waste any time and renew your driver’s license now. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)
