A revoked driver’s license may seem far-fetched to you right now, but it happens more often than you think. As a Filipino driver, you’ve probably wished for a person’s driver’s license to be revoked at least once in your life.

There are many drivers in the Philippines who lack the discipline and courtesy required to drive safely. You also have to deal with quite a bit of hassle, especially if you like driving your own car on public roads.

suspended vs.Banned vs. revoked license: What are the differences?

The license of a driver can be suspended, revoked, or banned. Each of these penalties is imposed by the agency following the commission of a transgression behind the wheel. The Philippines defines DUI as committing a crime as defined by special statutes when you have your license restricted, suspended, or revoked.

There are some major differences between banned, suspended, and revoked licenses despite the similarities. One of the differences between revocation and suspension is that revocation has a stiffer penalty. It is possible to lift suspensions after a specific period of time.

A revoked license may be reapplied for after a prescribed two to three-year period. Drivers who have their licenses banned, however, are banned from driving, usually for life and regardless of their name change. The DOTr, through the LTO and its deputized apprehending agency, considers that your actions demonstrate that you are too dangerous to be allowed back on the road.

Read Aslo: National ID Tracking

Revoked Driver’s License

In essence, revocation refers to the penalty imposed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) through the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other delegated agencies. A suspension of the right to drive on public roads occurs as a punishment for driving violations.

DOTr Joint Administrative Order No. 2023-01 also provides guidelines for revocation of licenses. Revocation of a non-professional driver’s license (NPDL) means that the holder is ineligible for a license for a period of two years. Revocation of a professional driver’s license (PDL) means the holder is permanently disqualified from getting another license.

Reasons for Revoked Driver’s License 

You will find ten (10) potential reasons and causes in this guide that can lead to your license being revoked.

Driving a motor vehicle used in the commission of a crime

Driving a vehicle used to commit a crime is a traffic violation that results in license revocation. For the license to be revoked, the apprehending agency must, however, obtain a judgment of conviction from a regular court to prove that the driver is indeed guilty of the violation.

The driver would also be permanently banned from obtaining a driver’s license or even driving a vehicle, in addition to having his license revoked. He would also have to pay a fine of P10,000.00. Additionally, the vehicle is impounded.

Commission of a crime during apprehension

When a driver is caught committing crimes during apprehension, his or her license will be revoked. In order to revoke a license following this offense, the court must render a final judgment holding the driver guilty. The vehicle is impounded and the violator is fined P10,000.00. In addition to the revocation of his license, he is disqualified from applying for another license for five (5) years from the date of payment.

Driving under the influence of dangerous drugs, alcohol or similar substance 

Those who violate this type of law will have their licenses revoked only if their licenses are professional driver’s licenses (PDLs). Those found guilty of the charge will only have their licenses permanently revoked if they hold a professional driver’s license.

In addition, he will be fined and barred from applying for a driver’s license in the Philippines in the future. In the event of a first conviction for a non-professional driver’s license holder (NPDL), a twelve (12) month suspension will be imposed. His license will be permanently revoked only if he commits the same act again and the court finds him guilty.

Reckless Driving

In the Philippines, this is probably one of the most commonly committed violations. Unless you know better, you probably don’t realize that this offense may result in the revocation of your license. If a non-professional driver commits the violation for a fourth time, his license will be revoked and a fine of P10,000.00 will be imposed. After two years, counted from the day of revocation of his previous license, he is still allowed to apply for another license. When a professional driver’s license is held, a stiffer penalty will be imposed, so that a fourth violation will result in a perpetual revocation of the license, perpetual disqualification from applying for any type of driver’s license, as well as a fine of P10,000.00.

Procuring fake documents in applying for a driver’s license

When renewing a driver’s license, fake documents can also be used to prove his identity and records. Upon discovery of this violation, the license may be tagged for being procured on alarm. Drivers who are caught will be disqualified from driving and getting a driver’s license for a period of one (1) year, from the date the fine of Php 3,000.00 is paid.

Violations of the same law within a year of each other

Repeated violations of the same kind within the same year can also result in revoked licenses. A driver may be suspended or revoked of their license if they commit the same offenses defined in Joint Administrative Order no. 2023-01 three consecutive times within a year.

Among the acts defined by this law are:

• The act of driving without a valid driver’s license

• Failure to wear a seatbelt as prescribed

• Failure to wear a motorcycle helmet as prescribed

• Failure to carry a registration certificate

• Failure to carry a driver’s license

• The Children Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2023 has been violated

Cheating or the commission of certain fraudulent acts prior to the issuance of the license 

Upon application for a driver’s license, a driver’s license can be revoked if any of the following acts have been committed by the applicant (Section 23B of RA 10930):

• The application contains material information that has been purposefully misrepresented;

• Participation in the irregular conduct of examinations or issuance of licenses with the officer;

• Document falsification; and

• During examinations, cheating is common.

Accidents or vehicle crashes resulting in death or injuries

The license of a licensed driver of a certain motor vehicle can be revoked if the driver has caused the death or any debilitating physical injury resulting in the loss of any part of the victim’s body or the loss of its use, or if the driver is insane, impotent, blind, or unable to work for more than 90 days.

Allowing unauthorized people to use your license

The borrowing of a license by a person other than the person listed on the license is not allowed and may result in the borrowing license being revoked.

Drivers with 20 demerit points lose their licenses

The LTO Point System or Demerit System starts each person with 20 points. Every violation will have a corresponding point equivalent, and every violation point will be deducted from the starting 20. After the 20 points are spent or deducted, the penalty is a two-year suspension of the Driver’s License and revocation of the license.

Things to do cases of revoked license

When you find yourself with a revoked license, there are a few things you can do. The situation surrounding the revocation determines whether these measures can be taken.

Reconsideration of reinstatement appeal

Revoked licenses can be reinstated through an appeal. The Land Transportation and Traffic Code (RA 4136) provides that the Commissioner or director of the LTO may revoke or suspend a driver’s license based on Section 27. It is also possible for him to reinstate a revoked license if the driver posts a bond of one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) and proves that he is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle once again.

. . .Section 27 of RA 4136 states that:

The Director shall have the exclusive power and authority to suspend or revoke a driver’s license issued under the provisions of this Act for cause without prejudice to the authority of the court in appropriate cases.

Apply for a new license

In cases when perpetual driver’s license revocation is not imposed on the driver, it is still possible to apply for another driver’s license. The owner of the revoked license only needs to serve the period of two years, counting from the date of revocation, then he can already file for a new application for a driver’s license by submitting the same legal documentary requirements. Naturally, the application will cost the same, charging  P820.26 for both professional and non-professional driver’s license applicants.

Reinstating a revoked license

According to RA 4136,  a driver’s license shall not be reinstated until the driver has furnished a bond instituted by the LTO chief after being convinced that the said driver can safely operate a motor vehicle again pursuant to RA 4136.

Conclusion

As a result of the hard and stressful process of lifting a revocation on your driver’s license, in addition to the cost of LTO fines and fees and the possibility of a criminal conviction, it is advisable for every driver to avoid having their license revoked.

Keeping the driver’s license as a privilege rather than a right and driving safely is the best preventive measure. Understanding the reasons for revocation and avoiding them may help, but it is ultimately up to the person affected. A driver will have to deal with the trouble that comes with license revocation on his own, even if it seems like the worst thing he has ever experienced.