Complete Guideline on Driver License Suspension Appeal in the Philippines

Let's imagine living in a country with over seven thousand islands, separated by natural barriers! Perhaps, the easiest way to visit adjacent islands is through driving.

Driving is undeniably fun - it let you set your foot from peripheries to centers of the country. But this presupposes that you are armed with a valid driver’s license. And when we say valid, that means your driver’s license is neither suspended nor revoked.

Suspension of driver’s license in the Philippines may be caused by various reasons. The period of suspension and the mode of appeal to such suspension also vary, depending on the type of license used by the driver (whether student, professional, or non-professional).

The period of suspension and the mode of appeal to such suspension also vary

And because the business of common carrier in the Philippines is imbued with public interest, it may be observed that the law gives a stiffer penalty of suspension if the violator holds a professional driver’s license. Nonetheless, in all cases, the driver is given a recourse under the law to appeal driver’s license suspension or question the validity of the suspension or even revocation of the driver’s license.

Prevention is better than cure. Equipping yourself with vital knowledge about driver license suspension is a must to avoid getting involved into unnecessary troubles. However, what if your license has already been suspended?

No worries! In this post, Philkotse.com will provide essential information about driver's license suspension appeal in the Philippines, which will be helpful in case you unfortunately get your driver license revoked.

I. LTO holds the exclusive authority in revoking and suspending a license

The first thing that comes to mind if your driver’s license is suspended is, can you appeal driver’s license suspension? The answer is yes. RA 4136 contains provisions on how to appeal driver’s license suspension.

By virtue of the aforesaid law, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Commissioner, by virtue of the power granted by Section 27 of RA 4136, does not only focus on issuing a license, but also has the exclusive authority and power to and revoke or suspend it for causes against traffic rules and regulation.

LTO is responsible for all means of land transporation in the Philippines

This power may also be delegated to LTO deputies, who are authorized to suspend any driver’s license, provided that the suspension would not exceed for three (3) months. However, if the driver violated any provisions of RA 4136, regulations that may be issued by the Commissioner or municipal ordinances relating to traffic rules and regulations, at least three times within a year, a suspension of not more than two years is applied.

The action made by any deputy may be appealed to the Commissioner of LTO, who may either modify, reverse, or confirm the suspension. In case of revocation or refusal to reinstate the revoked license by the LTO Commissioner, the affected individual may appeal it to the Secretary of Public Works Communication.

II. General Rule on Suspension Appeal

1. Lifting of suspension

Can a driver’s license suspension be lifted? The answer is in the affirmative. As a general rule, suspension of driver’s license may be lifted after serving the imposable period of suspension.

For example, for first offense colorum violation, the suspension of license and plate number of vehicle shall be lifted after three (3) months. In some cases, requirements for lifting of suspension included serving accessory penalties (e.g. driver is asked to attend seminar or examination).

Accessory penalty is usually imposed to drivers who committed the following violations: illegal parking, reckless driving, DUI and overspeeding, obstruction, or disregarding traffic sign. Therefore, it's crucial to know, understand and follow traffic laws in the Philippines.

Colorum vehicle is a common violation in the Philippines

2. One-thousand peso bond

Driver’s license reinstatement by the Commissioner or his deputy may be done by furnishing the required bond of one thousand pesos. The payment of bond is without prejudice to the satisfaction of any claim that may be filed against the driver.

On top of this, the Commissioner should be satisfied that the driver may have a safe driving again with his vehicle, in order that the license be reinstated.

The payment of bond is without prejudice to the satisfaction of any claim that may be filed against the driver

3. Issuance of Temporary Operator’s Permit

On the other hand, a different mode of appeal is taken when the driver is apprehended and at the same time the license is suspended, pursuant to Joint Administrative Order no. 2014-01.

Under this regulation, the following are offenses in connection with licensing: failure to carry his driver’s license, failure to wear the required protective helmet, reckless driving, driving without license, and other similar violations.

In case the penalty of apprehension or suspension cannot be implemented right away, the LTO usually put the motor vehicle or driver’s license on alarm.

Thereafter, the officer-in-charge will issue a Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) in favor of the driver. The TOP also answers how to check driver’s license status as it indicates that the permit is valid for a non-extendible period of 72 hours or three days. The driver is given five days to contest the validity of the apprehension or confiscation of driver’s license, otherwise his/her case shall be deemed admitted.

The permit issued by LTO should only last for 72 hours

Further, the driver is required to pay the corresponding fine of his penalty within fifteen (15) days; otherwise, his driver’s license is automatically suspended for 30 days, reckoned from the day of apprehension. In such case, he may be required to pay additional driver’s license suspension appeal fee.

4. The location of the apprehension

It should be noted that the place in settling apprehension cases vary depending on the location of his apprehension. If the apprehension took place in Metro Manila, he will appear before the Traffic Adjudication Service (TAS) of LTO.

The place of settlement is usually indicated on the Temporary Order Permit issued by the officer

On the other hand, if the apprehension took place in some other LTO district or regional offices, the place of settlement shall be indicated at the issued TOP to the driver. In either case, the following steps should be taken by the driver:

• The driver submits his written contest and shows his TOP within five (5) days from the time he was apprehended.
• The receiving clerk of LTO will receive, check, and docket the document presented.
• The clerk will forward the written contest together with the supporting document to the Regional/District office for adjudication within 30 days.
• After notification of the resolution/decision, the driver will now proceed to the cashier in order to pay required fine if is it a fined case.
• After receipt of official receipt, the driver will now proceed to the Releasing Unit for the receipt of the confiscated item.

III. Driver License Suspension Appeal Philippines: Conclusion

In all cases of lifting of suspension, appeal of suspension of driver license, and reinstatement of the suspended license, the driver need not apply for renewal. Driver’s license renewal after suspension is possible only if the license expires during the period of suspension. In which case, the driver need to undergo the same usual process of getting a driver’s license, in accordance with the requirements of RA 4136.

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