LTO to roll out e-driver’s license

MANILA, Philippines — To address the shortage of plastic cards, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be issuing a digital or electronic version of the driver’s license this month, an official announced yesterday.

LTO officer-in-charge Hector Villacorta said the e-driver’s license is in line with the agency’s digitalization efforts and to ensure the efficient administration of the licensing system.

“The digital driver’s license is a valid, secure and an alternative form of identification for persons driving motor vehicles,” Villacorta said.

It will replace the paper-based official receipt that serves as a temporary driver’s license, which is traditionally printed on a plastic card.

LTO’s Memorandum Circular No. HAV-2023-2410, which outlines the rules for the digital license will be effective starting July 26.

Villacorta said motorists can present the e-driver’s license to law enforcers during apprehension for a traffic violation.

“The digital driver’s license will be accepted by traffic enforcers as a valid form of identification to drive a motor vehicle,” Villacorta said.

Drivers with electronic license will have the same privileges and responsibilities accorded to holders of the physical license, he said.

Motorists will be subject to the same rules on traffic violations, imposition of fines and penalties, the LTO said.

If apprehended for a traffic infraction, the LTO said motorists must present their e-driver’s license accessed through the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal account.

Photographs and screenshots will not be accepted.

Apprehended motorists will also be issued a temporary operator’s permit or an electronic TOP, which is valid for 72 hours, after which the driver is prohibited from driving any vehicle.

Motorists may have their LTMS account suspended if they have an unsettled traffic violation.

The Department of Transportation has contracted Banner Plasticard Inc. for the delivery of one million license cards in the next two months.