The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the suspension of the confiscation of physical driver’s licenses by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and its deputized traffic enforcers, following reported confusion over existing traffic policies.

In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the directive was issued through a memorandum circular released on January 9.

The order instructs the LTO and deputized enforcers to stop confiscating actual driver’s licenses for traffic violations for 30 days while policies and circulars are reviewed and clarified.

Lopez explained that varying interpretations of traffic rules among enforcers—including deputized personnel—prompted the temporary suspension. He said the DOTr decided to first streamline and clarify policies to ensure uniform implementation on the ground.

The memorandum also amends the period given to motorists to settle their violations. From the previous 15 calendar days, apprehended drivers will now have 15 working days to pay fines or address violations.

According to Lopez, the change was meant to make the process fairer, noting that government offices do not operate on weekends and holidays.

“So gagawin lang natin patas, dapat ang pagkikipag-ugnayan natin sa ating mga motorista,” he said.

The DOTr clarified that the memorandum circular covers only the LTO and DOTr-deputized traffic enforcers, such as those assigned on expressways, including NLEX, SLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX. Local government units (LGUs) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are not directly covered by the circular, as they are separate entities.

However, Lopez noted that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has an existing order prohibiting the confiscation of physical driver’s licenses by LGUs and the MMDA.

“Pagdating po sa LGU at saka MMDA, ang alam ko po meron ding kautusan. May existing order po ang DILG na wala pong confiscation po ng actual license.”

Under the new policy, motorists apprehended for violations will be issued a Traffic Operations Permit (TOP), which will serve as the basis for the corresponding fines. The physical driver’s license will no longer be taken.

“Pero hindi po sila, ibig sabihin po no, yung circular na yun ay hindi po saklaw ang ating mga local government at saka MMDA kasi iba pong ano yan, it's an independent agency.”

Lopez said motorists can now also settle their violations online through the LTO’s system, eliminating the need to personally visit LTO offices to retrieve confiscated licenses.

He cited cases of motorists, including overseas Filipino workers and drivers from provinces, who were inconvenienced by having to return to Metro Manila just to redeem their licenses.

The DOTr also reiterated that motorists may present a valid electronic driver’s license if they do not have their physical card at the time of apprehension.

The e-driver’s license can be accessed through the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal and is recognized by enforcers under an existing department order.

Lopez emphasized that enforcers are required to accept and recognize the e-driver’s license, adding that it further supports the policy against confiscating physical licenses.

The DOTr said the measures are part of efforts to improve convenience for motorists while maintaining proper enforcement and documentation of traffic violations.