LTO goes digital on license renewals

Motorists can now renew their driver’s licenses entirely online through the new e-Gov PH super app, a digital service launched jointly by the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The initiative aims to eliminate long lines and reduce the presence of fixers at LTO offices.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced Thursday that the new feature allows drivers to complete the entire renewal process, from mandatory medical exams to payment, without needing to visit a physical LTO branch.

“End-to-end, you can get license renewal online. No line, no fixer,” Dizon said. “Even payment is online via e-wallets, bank or credit card. For the last decades, Filipinos have found it hard to transact with frontline agencies of the government. Long lines and requirements — sometimes are repeated.”

The app also facilitates virtual medical exams, including eye and hearing tests. Once renewed, licenses can be picked up at the nearest LTO branch or delivered to the applicant’s address within 72 hours.

Dizon said that this is just the beginning of efforts to streamline government transactions. The next steps include online renewal for motor vehicle registration, with plans to eventually include new licenses and vehicle registrations.

Meantime, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda disclosed that his agency plans to roll out more digital services weekly, as directed by the President. Upcoming integrations will involve the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Commission on Higher Education, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II, on the other hand, urged the public to use the eGovPH app for driver’s license renewals, emphasizing its convenience.

“This is a better alternative for going to LTO offices since you don’t need to shell out money for transportation to our offices and don’t even need to queue in any license renewal offices,” Mendoza said.

To use the digital service, LTO clients must download and install the eGovPH app on their smartphones, available on both the App Store and Google Play. The app requires security verification to protect user accounts.

Once the app is ready, users can renew their driver’s license by navigating to the National Government Agencies icon, selecting LTO, then choosing “Online Driver’s Application,” and finally “Renew Your Driver’s License.” Users will then upload or capture images of the front and back of their physical driver’s license. After a brief analysis period, users review and verify details before submitting. A photo adhering to required standards must also be taken through the app.

Mendoza advised clients to prepare for the online transaction by completing two prerequisites: A telemedicine medical examination, which can be booked and completed through the LTO ODRLS Portal, and the five-hour Online Driver’s Enhancement Program, also accessible via the LTO ODRLS Portal.