What motorists need to know under LTO traffic rules

By Gerome Dalipe IV

The Department of Transportation has ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to stop confiscating drivers licenses of motorists apprehended for traffic violations, marking a policy shift aimed at standardizing enforcement and easing roadside transactions.

In a memorandum dated Jan. 9, Transportation Secretary Atty. Giovanni Lopez directed the LTO to suspend the long-standing practice and review all related issuances to “ensure consistency across all existing policies.”

The directive is part of the government’s broader push to modernize transport regulation, reduce face-to-face transactions, and limit opportunities for abuse during roadside apprehensions.

Under new LTO implementing guidelines issued by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao, traffic enforcers will no longer physically take a motorist’s drivers license during apprehension, with enforcement shifting to a digital system.

Instead of confiscation, the drivers license of a motorist with unsettled violations will be placed under alarm status in the LTO system.

Details of the alleged offense will be indicated on the Temporary Operators Permit and immediately encoded into the LTO database.

Motorists are given 15 working days from the date of apprehension to pay the corresponding fines, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, declared holidays, and days when government work is suspended.

Failure to settle within the prescribed period will automatically trigger a 30-day suspension or revocation of the drivers license, without prejudice to the payment of fines and penalties.

The LTO said a 15-working-day transition period is being implemented to allow system configuration and operational adjustments nationwide.

The no-confiscation policy applies prospectively and covers only traffic apprehensions made on or after Jan. 26, the official effectivity date of the DOTr memorandum and LTO implementing guidelines.

Cases filed before the effectivity date will continue to be resolved under the rules in force at the time of apprehension, and all issuances, memoranda, circulars, or guidelines inconsistent with the new policy are deemed repealed or superseded.

Motorists are reminded that although licenses are no longer confiscated on the spot, prompt payment and settlement of traffic violations remain mandatory.