Your License just Expired. Can You Still Drive to Your Nearest LTO to Renew?

In this case, you may wonder whether you can drive to the LTO to renew your license if it has just expired. In general, the answer would be: Sure, you can drive, but that doesn’t mean it will be legal. The vehicle insurance provider may refuse to reimburse you if you drive with an expired license, and you may be fined, cited, or even jailed. I just want to clarify that the legal answer to this question is NO. It is not authorized for you to drive to the nearest LTO to renew your expired license. Your license should be renewed before it expires!

In recent months, however, the agency has been experiencing shortages of plastic cards for making license cards, so they have temporarily suspended the rule.

Read Aslo: National ID Tracking

What is an expired license?

Expired driver’s licenses are those that are beyond their validity period and expiration dates. As a result, the licensee can drive legally on public roads by himself since he has lived out his LTO permission. A license holder who becomes an expired license holder loses the right to drive on the road, and may be arrested by the LTO or other traffic enforcement officials.

What causes a driver’s license to expire?

Driver’s licenses issued by the LTO must be renewed regularly, either after three, five, or ten years.

The following are some of the reasons:

• It is necessary to undergo an eye test to demonstrate that you have adequate vision to drive.

• The ability to get a complete physical and medical exam (PME) on a regular basis to ensure your health and safety

• Your most recent address, a new photo, and some other changes should be updated in the LTO’s organization database.

• In order to prevent fraud.

• In case someone uses your license fraudulently after it has been lost or stolen, you should set a time limit.

• In order to ensure that all drivers remain roadworthy after a certain period of time on the road.

• A valid, government-issued ID can also be used for a variety of transactions

• You can find your wallet again with the help of this app.

Can you drive with an expired license?

Legally, yes, but not legally. Having the privilege of driving legally is an honor. The privilege comes with the requirement of presenting a valid driver’s license. A license that has expired cannot be used to drive on public roads in the Philippines. Driver’s license cards are proof that you are a competent and knowledgeable driver, aware of LTO rules and regulations to stay safe on the road.

Consequently, driving with an expired license is illegal in the Philippines, although it is allowed in some other countries for a limited period of time. Essentially, you are no longer allowed to drive on public roads once your license expires.

As a consequence, in case of apprehension or checkpoint, you are likely to face fines, citations, and even jail time. Also, your vehicle insurance company might deny your claim. It is recommended that you renew your license before it expires in order to avoid these problems.

What happens if you drive with an expired license?

Getting pulled over when your license has just expired can only mean two things. A sympathetic officer might let you off with a warning and direct you to the nearest LTO office so you can renew your license as soon as possible. You can also expect to be slapped with an LTO traffic ticket for failing to renew your license if the officer who pulled you over is not feeling sympathetic that day or if your license has expired for some time.

Is there a grace period for renewal of expired licenses?

I don’t. In the Philippines, license holders are not given any grace period after their driver’s license has expired. You may face consequences if you fail to renew your license before it expires, such as being required to pay a large fine or possibly taking another driving test. To avoid these, whenever you think, “is my license expired?,” you should check it immediately.

In accordance with the LTO, you must renew your license at least one month before it expires. However, you can still apply for renewal two (2) years after the license expires.

Validity extension for driver’s licenses until 2024

Nevertheless, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced in a Memorandum Circular of 2024 that expired licenses can be used. As a result, the validity of driver’s licenses expiring on January 24, 2024 and onwards has been extended until February 21, or until plastic cards are available.

According to the LTO Memorandum circular, “On February 21, 2024, or as soon as the driver’s license cards become available for distribution to the public,” all holders of driver’s license cards expiring on January 24, 2024 will not be required to renew their licenses.

How to renew your driver’s license in the Philippines?

If you are looking to avoid all the hassle of renewing your driver’s license, there are two (2) different ways you can do it: in person at an LTO office, or online through the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal. Depending on your circumstances, you might need to follow a different set of instructions and prepare a different set of requirements if you are an OFW or if you have a delinquent license with demerit points.

You can read this guide to learn more about renewing your LTO Driver’s License in the Philippines.

Renewal fees & charges

When renewing your LTO driver’s license, you may need to pay the following fees and charges:

• Fee for license: P 350.00

• Fee for computer: P 67.53

• The application fee is P 100.00

• The fee for changing the classification is P 100.00

• Code of Additional Restriction (ARC) or Driver’s License (DL): 100.00 P

• Expiration of Driver’s License Penalty Fee:

  • P 75.00 for a day to a year

  • To 2 Years & 1 Day: 150.00

  • 225.00 for more than 2 years

Video: LTO Extensions of Driver’s License Validity Due to Shortage of Plastic Cards

Important Reminders

The following are some important reminders worth keeping in mind:

• During weekends, holidays, or non-working days, licenses must be renewed before the last working day prior to their expiration dates.

• Be prepared with duplicates of all required documents before visiting the LTO office.

• You should arrive at the LTO office early to avoid the crowd, and you should be able to complete the transaction on the same day.

• Review the LTO LTMS Portal or other materials available for preparation.

• Make sure LTO clients follow the proper dress code.

• If a license has a five-year validity, the PME must be taken 60 days before the license holder’s third birthday.

• If you have a ten-year license, you must have your PME before you turn 4 and 7.

• Each time a license is renewed, license holders must submit a medical examination certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic.

• Drivers with expired licenses for 10 years or more are no longer allowed to drive or renew their licenses. It is instead necessary for them to reapply for a student permit.

• When renewing a license, applicants who fail the written or practical tests will have to retake them the next day, if that is convenient for them.

• A driver’s license can be renewed up to one year before expiration by those planning to leave the country sixty-one (61) days before the expiration date.

• Prior to renewing your license, make sure all past traffic violations have been resolved and the reorientation course has been completed.

• When you have a violation/s, you can renew your license at the main LTO office or a regional office if you have a violation/s. In satellite offices, driver’s license renewals with violations are not processed.

• To avoid hefty penalties, renew your license 60 days prior to its expiry date.

FAQs

QNO(1):Is there a grace period for expired drivers license in the Philippines?

Ans:Licenses that expire in August 2023 can be renewed from February 1 to February 29, 2024. Driver’s licenses that expired between September 1 and September 30, 2023, can be renewed from March 1 to March 31, 2024. Driver’s licenses that are not renewed within the specified time frame will become invalid.

QNO(2):Can you drive to nearest LTO with expired license?

Ans:No. Drivers whose licenses have expired should not drive until they have renewed them. As a result, they might face criminal charges and possibly be fined.

QNO(3):How much is the license fee in the Philippines 2024?

Ans:What is the cost of getting a driver’s license? According to the LTO, the licensing fee for drivers license applications in 2024 will be $585 and the application fee will be $100.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that you lead a busy lifestyle, making it difficult for you to renew your driver’s license at any of the LTO Offices in the Philippines. Because the new license is valid for ten years, and you can renew your license online via the LTMS portal, now is the perfect time to make sure that your driver’s license is renewed on time (provided you have a clean driving record).

It is important to keep in mind, however, that even though the renewal process has evolved (such as the online application), you should manage your expectations and make good plans, especially if you are visiting an LTO office. If you are unsure if it is worth the hassle, take a good look at your 5-year expired driver’s license and decide for yourself.