LTO told: Stop confiscating licenses

Drivers will no longer have their licenses confiscated for traffic violations, following a direct order from the Department of Transportation (DOTR).

In a memorandum issued on Friday, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez instructed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to immediately suspend license confiscations and review all relevant policies for consistency.

Lopez also shortened the settlement period for traffic cases from 15 calendar days to 15 working days, “to afford both the government and the public sufficient time to resolve cases.”

“This means that holidays and long weekends are not counted in the number of days for a driver to settle a violation,” he said.

While confiscation is suspended, violators’ licenses will be flagged, and the LTO will enforce automatic suspension or revocation if cases remain unsettled after 15 working days.

The memorandum circular takes effect immediately.

The decision stems in part from public complaints, including a post by road safety advocate and vlogger James Deakin. 

On Tuesday, Deakin criticized the LTO on social media for allegedly inflating charges against his son over what he described as a simple traffic violation on Skyway Stage 3 on 18 December 2025.

In response, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said the citation was not limited to crossing a double solid line but also involved driving an unregistered vehicle. 

He said Daniel failed to present the vehicle’s official receipt and certificate of registration and instead showed only a sales invoice issued by the importer to the dealer, and not from the dealer to the buyer.