PSA: LTO Can No Longer Confiscate Your Driver’s License Over Traffic Violations

(SPOT.ph) Heads up, motorists! Getting flagged for a traffic violation won’t automatically mean handing over your driver’s license anymore—at least for now. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to stop confiscating licenses during traffic apprehensions, effectively immediately.

Instead of on-the-spot confiscation, driver’s licenses will now be placed “under alert,” allowing motorists to continue driving while their case is pending—as long as they settle it on time. The order was formalized through a memorandum issued on January 9.

The policy shift follows renewed public attention on LTO procedures earlier this month, after motoring vlogger James Deakin aired concerns on Facebook over how traffic violations are processed. While Deakin acknowledged the violation involving his son, he questioned what happens after a driver is apprehended, prompting other motorists to speak up about their own frustrating encounters with the system.

As such, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the LTO to review all related circulars and issuances to ensure that existing rules are consistent across the country.

Also read: GUIDE: How to Renew Your Driver’s License Without Going to the LTO

Another key change involves the deadline for settling traffic violations. Previously, motorists had 15 calendar days to resolve their case. The new policy extends this to 15 working days, meaning weekends, holidays, and long weekends are excluded from the count. Lopez said the adjustment is meant to give both parties a more realistic time to process and resolve cases.

“Ibig sabihin po nito, hindi kasama ‘yung mga holiday at long weekend sa bilang ng araw kapag magse-settle ng violation ‘yung driver,” Lopez said in a statement.

This is not meant to give motorists a free pass. Once a license is placed under alert, the LTO is instructed to strictly enforce automatic suspension or revocation if the driver fails to resolve the case within the 15-working-day window. In other words, the license stays with the driver—but only if they act on the violation promptly.

As mentioned, the new memorandum circular takes effect immediately, so the updated rules apply to all traffic apprehensions from here on out.

Also read: GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know About LTO’s Electronic Driver’s Licenses