LTO to introduce ‘digital driver’s license’

Following the reported shortage of plastic cards, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to launch a digital format of the driver’s licenses.

In a statement, the agency said that the digital license — to be made in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) — is part of the agency's efforts to digitize its services.

According to LTO Chief Jose Arturo Tugade said that the digital license will serve as an electronic alternative to the physical driver's license card and will be integrated into the "super app" that the DICT is currently developing.

"The advantage of the digital license is that motorists can present it to law enforcement officers during apprehension. It is equivalent to presenting the physical driver's license," Tugade explained.

"We also appreciate the way the super app functions similarly to a wallet, containing all government IDs, among other things, within your mobile device."

Further, Tugade said that the digital license is eyeing to replace the official receipt (OR) as temporary driver's license currently printed on paper.

In addition, he said that various transactions with the agency can also be done with the digital license that include license and registration renewals as well as online payments.

Moreover, the LTO chief confirmed that the existing security features of the driver's license would be integrated into the digital version, alongside the super app's security measures.

Per Tugade, the e-governance partnership between LTO and DICT demonstrates the commitment to digitalizing as many services as possible.

"Simplifying and digitalizing more services will ultimately aid the agency in eradicating corruption," Tugade said.

It was last March when the LTO and DICT officially forged an e-governance partnership. The collaboration aims to enhance the digitalization of systems and processes within the LTO, ultimately improving its overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Jayart Tugade Facebook page, Land Transportation Office Facebook page

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