Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — The validity of all driver’s licenses set to expire beginning April 24 of this year will be extended to Oct. 31 amid the shortage in plastic cards, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced Friday.
All penalties for late renewal transactions will also be waived, it added.
\”The said extension shall be effective until 31 October 2023 or as soon as DOTr is able to procure and the winning bidder has successfully delivered the license cards, whichever comes first,\” the LTO memorandum circular read.
The agency said Thursday it will temporarily print driver’s licenses on paper as only over 140,000 plastic cards are left in their inventory — just enough to last until the end of month.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is working to purchase part of the total volume needed by the LTO pending the evaluation by the Bids and Awards Committee of the terms of reference submitted in March.
“Furthermore, all subject licenses with extended validity shall be recognized by LTO Law Enforcement Service and LTO-deputized agents in apprehension cases,” the LTO noted.
All remaining supply of plastic cards will be reserved for overseas Filipino workers, it added.
