DOTr says driver’s license card supply to normalize within Q3 2023

The leadership of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured that the supply of plastic cards for driver’s licenses will normalize within the third quarter of the year.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said that the goal is eyed to be reached by September — with up to 130,000 unissued cards expected to be received by motorists.

In addition, the transport chief clarified  that its forecast of up to 500,000 plastic card shortage was until October in response to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Memorandum Circular extending the validity of driver’s licenses until October 31.

“Yung license natin we’re expecting delivery by next week, initially pakonti-konti lang ‘yan by September na-deliver na lahat ‘yung pending natin na dapat iisyu. As I have mentioned earlier ang pending natin na hindi pa na-isyu na mga license ay nasa around 120-130,000 na (We’re expecting the delivery of licenses next week. Initially, we will issue them little by little. As I mentioned earlier, the number of licenses that are still not issued is around 120,000-130,000),” Bautista explained.

“Dati nagbigay tayo ng statement na almost 400-500,000 yung pending kasi isinama natin dito yung mga in-extend natin up to October. Remember nung April 24 nagkaroon ng Memorandum Circular extending the validity of license expiring April 24-October 31. By September pwede na natin iisyu ‘yung lahat ng mga license na ‘to (Earlier, we have issued a statement that the pending [number of driver’s license> is almost 400,000-500,000. Remember that last April 24, a memorandum circular was released, extending the validity of licenses expiring on April 24-October 31. By September we can issue all these licenses),” he added.

Likewise, the transport chief cited the electronic driver’s license (e-DL) issued by the LTO, which can be accessed by motorists via the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal. Those who have not received the plastic-card type may see their license online.

Bautista said that motorists who also carry paper licenses may get license cards by August or September.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Department of Transportation

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