A Complete Guide to Driver’s License Renewal in the Philippines this 2021

How to Renew Driver’s License in the Philippines

Is your driver’s license expiring soon? With the changing quarantine classifications due to the pandemic, there have been some changes as to how we normally renew our driver’s licenses. To make it safe and convenient for all motorists, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) devised an online way to renew driver’s licenses in a non-face-to-face and paperless way. For those who are overseas and would need to renew their licenses as well, you’re in the right place!

If you’re planning to renew your license any time soon, read through the step-by-step guide to know how to renew your driver’s license in the Philippines this 2021.

ELIGIBILITY FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL

Motorists who are either in the Philippines or abroad may be qualified to renew their driver’s license. However, there are different sets of rules and requirements to follow for each. Continue reading to know more.

The following are qualified to renew their driver’s license:

Those who have Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL), Professional Driver’s License (PDL), and Conductor’s License that is not expired for two (2) years or more
Those with NPDL, PDL, and Conductor’s License who has the intention of leaving the country with a license that is due for renewal within one (1) year

REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL

There are distinct requirements for those who are renewing licenses in the Philippines or abroad. Read below and take note:

For drivers residing in the Philippines:

Your original NPDL/PDL license
A copy of your medical certificate (electronically transmitted by the accredited clinic to the LTO office)

Note: You may only get a medical certificate from any of the accredited clinics by the LTO. View the full list here.

For Filipino drivers who are currently living abroad:

A photocopy of your passport (Make sure to capture the first page, visa page, departure from the Philippines and latest arrival overseas)
Your original Letter of Authority to an authorized representative
Your personal attendance within 30 days upon arrival to the office where you renewed your driver’s license to capture your photo. Bring the following requirements:

A copy of your medical certificate (electronically transmitted by the accredited clinic to the LTO office)
Your original and one (1) photocopy of your passport (first page and arrival page)
Your original manual Official Receipt (OR) that is your temporary driver’s license

Note: Valid foreign license holders are allowed to operate a motor vehicle within ninety (90) days from the arrival date. Then, you may apply for license conversion if your visa is valid for at least thirty (30) days.

For those with an expired license for 10 years or more, submit an Application for Driver’s License (ADL) and a hard copy of your medical certificate (electronically transmitted in LTO prescribed form issued by an LTO-accredited clinic)

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO ONLINE DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL

Processing your driver’s license renewal not only saves you energy and money but also because it’s safe and more convenient. As of April 2021, there are 24 LTO offices that currently allow this online service. Check the full list below.

Follow these steps when applying through the LTO’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal.

Register through the LTMS portal: portal.lto.gov.ph
Click on the confirmation link you’ll receive via email within 24 hours.
Fill out your personal datasheet.
On the dashboard, click Licensing.
Read the Terms of Use, then click Accept.
Fill out the Online Application Form.
On the License Classification, click Driver’s License.
Choose Renewal as the Type of Application. Multiple applications are allowed, so you may choose more options.
Submit your online application form.

FULL LIST OF LTO OFFICES WITH ONLINE SERVICES

You may submit an application and book your appointment via LTMS portal with the following LTO offices offering online services:

1.Pagadian District Office	13.Tagum District Office
2.Malaybalay District Office	14.Davao District Office
3.Bayombong District Office	15.General Santos District Office
4.Butuan District Office	16.Baguio Licensing Center
5.Tagbilaran District Office	17.San Fernando District Office
6.Dumaguete District Office	18.Angeles District Office
7.Laoag District Office	19.Biñan District Office
8.Roxas District Office	20.CO-License Section
9.Ormoc District Office	21.Quezon City Licensing Center
10.Lipa District Office	22.Eastwood DLRO
11.Calapan District Office	23.Muntinlupa DLRO
12.Naga District Office	24.Ever Gotesco DLRO

List retrieved from https://lto.gov.ph/latest-advisory/520-land-transportation-management-system-ltms.html

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL IN LTO OFFICES

Present the necessary requirements for your driver’s license renewal, and get your queue number.
Once your queue number is called, submit your requirements.
Confirm if the details on the system are accurate.
Proceed to the cashier and pay the necessary fees.
Proceed to the Encoding and Biometric Window to accomplish the form in the new system.
Get your Official Receipt and Driver’s License Card.
Log your details on the log sheet.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL FOR FILIPINOS ABROAD

An authorized representative may submit the requirements on your behalf. Kindly provide a Letter of Authorization.

Present the necessary requirements for your driver’s license renewal, and get your queue number.
Submit the requirements needed.
Proceed to the cashier and pay the necessary fees.
Receive the Official Receipt which will serve as a temporary driver’s license.
Within thirty (30) days of arrival in the Philippines, the licensee must submit all driver’s license renewal requirements, which include the online medical certificate from an accredited LTO clinic.
Wait for your name to be called for photo capturing and biometrics.
Get your Official Receipt and Driver’s License Card.
Log your details on the log sheet.

FEES AND OTHER CHARGES FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL

Of course, there are fees that you need to pay for renewal. See the table below for the complete list of fees and other charges:

Table 1: Required Fees

PARTICULARS	DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL FEES
Application fee	Php 100
Computer fee	Php 67.63
Permit or License fee	Php 585
Computer fee	67.63

Note: For on-time driver’s license renewals, you’ll only need to pay one (1) computer fee.

Table 2: Penalties

PARTICULARS	DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL FEES
One (1) day to one (1) year expired	Php 75
More than one (1) to two (2) years expired	Php 150
More than two (2) years expired (needs a re-exam)	Php 225

Note: For those with one (1) day to two (2) years expired license, you’ll need to pay the license fee, penalty, and one (1) computer fee.

For those who need to do a re-exam, you’ll need to pay an application fee, license fee, penalty, and two (2) computer fees.

List retrieved from https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/

Note: Prices may change without prior notice. Visit lto.gov.ph for the updated list.

RENEWAL OF DELINQUENT DRIVER’S LICENSE

For those with an expired driver’s license for more than two (2) years, you are considered to have a delinquent license. Thus, this will have a series of different requirements, processes, and fees.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle
Must pass the practical and written examination

REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE WITH DELINQUENT LICENSE

An accomplished Application for Driver’s License (ADL). Download the ADL here.
A copy of your medical certificate (electronically transmitted by the accredited clinic to the LTO office)
Your original expired Driver’s License

TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN RENEWING DRIVER’S LICENSE

To make the driver’s license renewal process go smoothly, here are some tips for you to remember prior to your booked appointment:

Prepare the requirements and fees beforehand.
Make sure that you don’t have any violations or pending cases that you need to settle prior to your renewal appointment. This might cause delays to your license renewal.
Register to the LTMS portal to see if you’ve committed any violations that you might need to settle first.
Do not engage with fixers and scammers. Make sure to apply for renewal only at valid and authorized LTO offices. Also, get your medical certificates at LTO-accredited clinics.
Renew your driver’s license before it actually expired to avoid paying penalties.
Make sure to schedule your appointment if you’re on leave as the processing time may be unpredictable, depending on the number of people in the queue. Better yet, arrive as early as you can.
Check your desired LTO offices’ website or Facebook page to know about their schedule and services to avoid inconvenience.

OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND WEBSITE LINKS

Make sure to follow and visit the website and social media pages of LTO regularly so you can be updated on their new and official announcements and memorandum.

Are you ready to renew your driver’s license this year? Make sure to read the steps carefully and prepare the requirements and fees for a hassle-free renewal process. Do you have tips for others who will be renewing their licenses this year? Share away at the comments section below!

Sources: LTO website, LTMS portal

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