Driver's License Renewal

My driver's license had just expired last Tuesday, my birthdate. So I arranged the renewal of my driving license yesterday at LTO Drivers License Renewal Center (DLRC) in Robinsons Galleria mall, at the park avenue in lower lobby near Ortigas Avenue entrance.

I arrived at about 12:15 pm when this DLRC Galleria branch was on lunch break. I noticed however that the drug testing facility beside it is entertaining clients inside as they have no lunch break. Since I don't feel like taking a leak that time, I decided to have lunch first so that I would have enough urine to discharge (pardon the details) for the drug test when I come back.

An hour later, I was back at the drug testing center where I paid the P400 fee after filling out the 3-page drug test form. I remember paying only about P300-P350 during my license renewal 3 years ago for drug test at the DLRC in Ayala MRT station. Well, I think the drug test fee increase is justified with the extra motions of a doctor doing a brief medical exam, fingerprint scanning, and a webcam photo of the applicant on the drug test result.

With my medical certificate and negative drug test result, I went to the DLRC branch next door. The guy at window 1 gave me an application form to fill up, before I went to the other window for photoshoot and electronic signature. Then as my name was called, I paid the P493 fee including the P75 penalty for expired license 1 day to 1 year. 

I could have avoided the P75 penalty if only I was able to use my vacation leave a day earlier. After spending P893 and about 40 minutes from the fill up of drug test form, I received my renewed driver's license with validity of 3 years.  

Below are the requirements in renewal of either Professional or Non-Pro driver's license:

• Current driver's license card. The previous Official Receipt is not required, except when there's a problem of which the LTO guy did not elaborate anymore.
• Duly accomplished driver's license application form
• Medical certificate with Official Receipt from LTO or government-accredited physician
• Negative drug test result from a DOH-accredited drug testing center or government hospital

Tips:

• Renew your license on or within 2 months before your birthdate, to avoid penalty. 
• There are less applicants during Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Either you arrive very early (before they open) or late (after 4:00 pm) to avoid long queue of applicants. 
• Its faster to renew driver's license at the DLRCs of LTO as there are less applicants. Its also more comfortable with airconditioned waiting area, compared with LTO's regular branches in open air.
• LTO offices are open on weekdays only, including those DLRCs. Regular branches open at 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, while DLRCs open at 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Driver's license renewal will take a bit longer if there's a change on the applicant's address, and if their computer system goes offline at some days.
• DLRCs do not entertain changes in restriction code. Applicants will be directed to their regular branches for such requests, perhaps for actual drive tests.

To see the list of LTO's Driver License Renewal Centers in Metro Manila, click here and pick the sites with DLRC on the name of LTO agency.

To see other DLRCs in provinces, download the driver's license application forms, etc., go to www.lto.gov.ph

Update as of August 2013:

I just renewed my license before my birthday, and paid Php 418 to the DLRC in Ayala MRT station, plus Php 100 for the physical examination. No more drug test, so the renewal is faster. Unfortunately, their ID cards are not available, so I just kept my Official Receipt as my temporary license. I was able to claim my license card after more than a week, due to the delays on LTO's side.