The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday clarified that traffic enforcers are not allowed to confiscate driver’s licenses from motorists, citing an existing policy under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In a statement, the LTO said it is currently implementing DOTr Memorandum Circular No. 001-2026, which sets the policy against the confiscation of driver’s licenses during apprehension.

“Bilang pagsunod sa kautusan, pansamantalang hindi kinukumpiska ng mga law enforcement officers na may deputasyon mula sa LTO ang driver's license ng mga motoristang lumalabag sa batas-trapiko,” the agency said.

The LTO also stressed that prevailing Supreme Court jurisprudence does not grant traffic enforcement officers general authority to seize driver’s licenses from motorists.

It added that existing administrative issuances from the DOTr and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), including Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2008 issued by the former Department of Transportation and Communications and the DILG, recognize that local government unit (LGU) traffic enforcers may issue citation tickets but have no legal basis to confiscate driver’s licenses.

The agency urged LGUs, traffic enforcement bodies and motorists to comply with existing laws and regulations to ensure fair, orderly and just enforcement of traffic rules nationwide.