The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Monday it will open an online system to allow motorists to apply for a driver’s license without having to go to an LTO office and be coaxed by fixers.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II admitted that the agency has yet to resolve its problems with fixers or people offering arrangements to get a driver’s license easier, in exchange for money.
“Hindi pa ho namin talagang natutugunan ‘yan. Talagang ang aming approach ay magkaroon ng online system of registration, both for vehicle registration and license application,” he said in an interview on CNN Philippines.
(We haven’t really addressed that yet. Our approach for that is really to have an online system of registration, both for vehicle registration and license application.)
In February, the LTO announced that the renewal of motor vehicle registration may already be done online through the agency’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).
If a person’s vehicle and registration details are already in the LTMS, then they will be able to use the online portal to renew their registration. Those who have yet to create an account at the online portal, however, will have to visit any LTO district office and seek assistance.
As to driver’s licenses, Mendoza said the LTO will also course the application virtually and have them delivered through courier service.
“Ang next na gagawin natin diyan ang driver’s license naman. We will implement an online procedure para hindi na kailangan pumuntang LTO. Then we could send the license via courier na lang po, parang passport,” he added.
(Next is for the driver’s license—we will implement an online procedure so people don’t have to go to LTO. Then we could send the license via courier, like those for passports.)
Mendoza also encouraged the public to directly report fixers to the LTO website and hotline, particularly those involving LTO employees themselves.
Earlier this month, the LTO released a schedule for the renewal of expired driver’s licenses after getting sufficient supply of plastic cards.
The LTO chief said about 1.7 million plastic licenses are now available for motorists.
