THE LAND Transportation Office (LTO) XI announced that it is now issuing plastic driver’s licenses following the extended suspension due to the backlog of 4.1 million cards nationwide.
Speaking on Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, LTO XI director Eleanor Calderon, said those with paper driver’s licenses can claim their new plastic cards at the LTO office in front of SM City Davao.
The office is gradually releasing cards based on the printing of the cards.
“We can give to all those holding paper (license) and those who will renew the driver’s license we can give them cards,” Calderon said.
The schedule is as follows:
- Paper licenses from April-August 2023:Claim from April 1-30, 2024
- September-December 2023: Claim from May 1-31, 2024
- January-March 2024: Claim from June 1-30, 2024
Licenses renewed in April 2024 onwards will receive plastic cards immediately.
“As I speak, if you will renew at LTO there is already a card because it’s not always that our backlogs are accumulated so if you will renew for now there is a card but to those holding their papers there is a scheduled,[for releasing], ” She said.
LTO XI backlog
Calderon said the backlog for driver’s licenses in Region XI is 139,000. The LTO expects to clear the backlog by June 2024.
The nationwide backlog for driver’s licenses is 4.1 million. The LTO central office is releasing cards in batches to address this backlog.
There is a nationwide backlog of seven million for vehicle plates. The LTO is working with a supplier to increase plate production. The backlog for motorcycle plates is from 2015 to 2017.
