The Department of Transportation (DOTr) released a memorandum order Friday, instructing the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to immediately suspend the confiscation of driver’s licenses in apprehension cases involving traffic violations.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez also amended the guidelines for settling traffic violation cases, extending the lead time from 15 calendar days to 15 working days, “to afford both the government and the public sufficient time to resolve cases.”
“Ibig sabihin po nito, hindi kasama ‘yung mga holiday at long weekend sa bilang ng araw kapag mag-se-settle ng violation ‘yung driver (This means that holidays and long weekends are not included in the count of days when a driver settles a violation),” Lopez said.
The DOTr said the move is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive to “streamline and clarify procedures in apprehending erring motorists whose driver’s licenses have been confiscated.”
Lopez issued the memo on January 9, adding the LTO was likewise ordered to revisit all pertinent issuances to ensure consistency across all existing policies.
While the confiscation of driver’s licenses is suspended, the LTO is directed to immediately place the violator’s driver’s license under alert and strictly enforce the automatic suspension or revocation of the license should the driver fail to settle the case within 15 working days.
