LTO faces shortage of plastic cards for drivers' licenses

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) is facing a shortage of plastic cards used for drivers' licenses.Based on the latest data from the LTO, there are only 147,522 plastic cards that can be used to print drivers' licenses, which will all be used up by the end of April this year.To meet this expected shortage, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jay Art Tugade said they are taking immediate steps which include allowing the use of official receipts issued by the agency to applicants as temporary drivers' licenses.Under a memorandum issued by the LTO, the regional and district offices are required to use the official receipt as a "Temporary Driver's License" in the event that the supply of plastic cards runs out. The OR must have complete details, a unique QR code, and screenshots of the front and back of the drivers' license card.The regional directors of the LTO are also required to have the re-allocation of the supply of plastic cards to their jurisdictions if necessary.The agency has also met with law enforcers such as the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group to inform them about the memorandum.Tugade said this rule will remain in place until the plastic driver's license card can be printed."Right now, we are waiting for the completion of the procurement process of plastic cards handled by the Department of Transportation (DOTr)," the LTO chief said."As soon as the DOTr gives notice that there is a supply of plastic cards, we will immediately start printing the driver's license," he added.