LTO to fix machines for driver’s license production by February 2023

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) previously said that it is determined to resolve the backlog on the issuance of driver’s license cards. The culprit for the said backlog is the defective laser engraver machines.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Tugade says the LTO is working on fixing the backlog issue

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade announced that the parts needed to repair the faulty machines are already with the Bureau of Customs. The agency then needs to “put them in one by one to the machines and evaluate them.” With this, the LTO is looking to complete all the repairs by February 2023, which is seen to make the driver’s license card production back to normal.       

Tugade also shared that the agency is implementing a stop-gap measure while waiting for the defective laser engravers to be repaired. He advised the public to not go to the LTO offices that defective machines to save time. The agency previously listed 36 LTO branches with defective laser engravers. 

“This can serve as a stop-gap measure for the meantime while we await the repairs of defective laser engravers to be completed. Also, informing the public which office to go for driver’s license issuance and renewal prevents confusion and further inconvenience to them,” says LTO Chief Tugade.

Tugade has also instructed LTO offices that have working laser engravers to make an announcement so that the public can be more aware. Through this approach, the LTO Chief believes that it can somewhat prevent inconvenience to individuals renewing their driver’s licenses.  

Some LTO branches will have posters indicating that they can print driver's licenses or not

With regards to motorcycle plates, Tugade clarified that a significant portion of the 12 million backlog will be replaced with the new design. The said design is detailed by Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act (RA 11235). 

As per this law, the new motorcycle plate will be larger and more readable than the previous design. It is also color-coded, reflectorized, and made out of a durable aluminum substrate material. Tugade added that this new plate comes with security features. 

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