Five things to remember when renewing your license

Renewing your license is a standard process that drivers must complete to maintain their legal ability to drive on the roads. A driver's license serves as evidence that a person is permitted to operate a motor vehicle and is authorized to drive a specific type of vehicle. With that said, it’s paramount that drivers keep up with the validity of their licenses to prevent potential penalties and fines. 

For seasoned drivers, renewing a license is a familiar task. However, there are still a few key things to keep in mind before visiting the nearest LTO office. If your license is nearing its expiration date, be sure to read this article before renewing it.

Before heading to the LTO, make sure to settle any outstanding traffic violations. If you don't, an alert will be triggered in the system, and you won’t be able to proceed with the renewal process until the fines are cleared. 

Also, if you’ve been recently let off by an MMDA enforcer with a warning, it’s wise to verify whether any traffic violations have been recorded on your license. Even if no ticket was issued, violations can still be logged. Checking in advance can help you identify any issues early, preventing delays or surprises when you go to renew your license. The Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) is a convenient tool to check for any unsettled violations. Be sure to visit the site before you head out to ensure everything is in order.

Taking a quick look at the LTO’s renewal fees will help you determine how much cash to bring before heading out. Make sure to have the correct amount on hand to avoid the inconvenience of having to make a last-minute trip to an ATM.

If you’re renewing a non-professional license the fee is P585 if there are no penalties, or between P660 and P735 if penalties are incurred. In cases of late renewal, penalties are charged as follows: P75 for licenses that expired between one day and one year, and P150 for licenses that expired between one and two years. If you need to renew your non-professional driver’s license with a revision of records, the cost is P685 without penalties, or P760 to P835 with penalties. This includes a P100 revision of records fee, with the same late-renewal penalties as mentioned above.

If you have a professional license, the fees are as follows: For license renewal, the fee is P585 if there are no penalties, or between P660 and P735 if penalties apply. In cases of late renewal, penalties are as follows: P75 for licenses that expire between one day and one year, and P150 for those that expire between one and two years. If you need to renew your professional driver’s license with a revision of records, the cost is much the same as a non-professional license with P685 without penalties, or P760 to P835 with penalties. 

Avoid fixers at all costs. While it may be tempting to speed up the process of renewing your license and bypass the long wait times, dealing with fixers will not only cost you extra money but also contribute to the perpetuation of corruption. Fixers often promise quick results for a fee, but this compromises the integrity of the system and ultimately harms everyone. By choosing to go through the proper channels, you help ensure that the process remains transparent and fair for all, while also protecting yourself from potential scams or legal issues down the line. Staying patient and following the right procedures is the best way to help reduce corruption and ensure that future drivers can benefit from a more efficient and trustworthy system. Besides, the renewal process times are way shorter than ever removing the need for contacting a fixer in the first place.

Ensure you have all necessary documents, such as your old driver’s license, valid ID, medical certificate (if required), and proof of address. If you need a quick refresher on the documents you need, here’s a quick review. For local applicants renewing their driver's license, the following requirements must be provided: a duly accomplished application form, the original driver’s license, a medical examination certificate (electronically transmitted to the LTO by an accredited clinic), and a Certificate of Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) for those renewing for the first time (electronically transmitted to the LTO). Applicants who have accumulated five to nine or ten or more but less than 40 demerits must also submit a Certificate of Completion of the Driver's Reorientation Course.

For local applicants with a license expired for more than two years, the required documents include a duly accomplished application form, a medical examination certificate (electronically transmitted to the LTO by an accredited clinic), and the original expired driver’s or conductor’s license.

If you’re an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), the renewal requirements include a duly accomplished application form, a photocopy of the passport showing the first page, the visa page, and the departure and latest arrival stamps, along with the original Letter of Authority for the authorized representative. Upon arrival in the Philippines, within 30 days of visiting the office where the renewal was made, OFWs must submit a medical examination certificate (electronically transmitted to the LTO by an accredited clinic), present the original and a photocopy of the passport (first page and arrival pages), the original Official Receipt (OR), a Certificate of Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) for initial renewal, and a Certificate of Completion of Driver's Reorientation Course (for applicants with five to nine or ten or more but less than 40 demerits).

Last but not least, don’t wait until the last minute to renew your license. If the penalties for late renewal we mentioned earlier were any indication, keeping an eye on the expiration date of your license is important if you want to avoid paying fees. If your license has already expired, be aware of the late renewal penalties based on how long it has been since expiration.

Now that we’ve gone through some things to keep in mind before renewing your license, the next thing you need to do is to go out and do it. Be nice to the LTO employees, keep a cool head, and you’ll have your license renewed and you’ll be back on the road in no time.