CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Land Transportation Office (LTO) is asking drivers in Central Luzon to be more patient in the issuance of their driver’s license plastic cards.
This as the agency is experiencing a shortage on the supply of the plastic cards used.
As a consideration, LTO Assistant Regional Director Antonio Bartolome said the validity of all driver’s licenses set to expire beginning April 24 this year will be extended to October 31.
“The delivery of driver’s license plastic cards is expected to be completed before the end of the month of October. However, they must be patient because if there’s another delay in the delivery, there is a chance that we will extend it again to prevent penalties to the drivers,” he said.
LTO will still have to catch up to their backlogs in the unissued cards expected to be received by motorists.
In addition, Bartolome asked drivers whose license cards will be expiring within the year to not renew yet and wait for the availability of the plastic cards to not add in the backlog.
“Our enforcers will still consider your licenses valid. All penalties for late renewal transactions shall also be waived,” he stated.
As an alternative, LTO suggested that motorists should access their electronic driver’s license via their Land Transport Management System portal account.
These are valid, secure and alternative forms of identification for people driving motor vehicles.
They will replace the paper-based official receipt that serves as a temporary driver’s license.
Motorists who were issued paper licenses may expect to get their physical license cards by August or September, according to the agency. (CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3 with Kyle Chan and Rain Domingo, interns)