A lost, stolen, or damaged driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is a motorist’s worst nightmare. Never mind being unable to drive or ride your motor vehicle (MV) or motorcycle (MC) until you get a replacement. The real horror is learning how to apply for a replacement or duplicate driver’s license with the LTO. It may seem daunting and inconvenient, especially when you do not know how to do it.
But, contrary to popular belief, it is actually a simple matter. All it takes is some money, a little bit of time, some knowledge, some documents, and a whole lot of patience. It may still seem inconvenient, but since the LTO driver’s license is quite important, you’d probably still take time out of your day to go to the LTO to get a duplicate LTO driver’s license. After all, being unable to drive to and from work or school is more inconvenient if you are used to having your own private vehicle. In this guide, you can learn more about duplicate licenses, including the requirements, fees, and the step-by-step procedures of replacing your lost, stolen, or damaged driver’s license.
What is an LTO Duplicate Driver’s License
A duplicate license from the LTO refers to the license reissued to replace a valid license that has been lost, stolen, or mutilated. Note that this is different from LTO driver’s license issued right before or after the expiration date which counts as a renewal instead. The license has to be valid before it can be considered as a replacement or categorized as a duplicate driver’s license. The same applies regardless of the type of license (non-professional or professional) as well as the restriction codes in it. Like the regular driver’s license from LTO, however, an official document issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of the Philippines authorizes the license holder to operate a private motor vehicle.
Who needs an LTO Duplicate License
The LTO duplicate license is a neccesity if you are:
- A Non-Professional driver who drives a light motor vehicle otherwise than as a paid employee
- A Non-Professional driver who drives a light motor who drives a vehicle a vehicle other than a transport vehicle.
- A Non-Professional Driver’s License holder is a holder of an official document issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of the Philippines that authorizes the license holder to operate a private motor vehicle.
- A person who has lost or damaged your valid LTO Driver’s License
- A person who got his valid Driver’s License stolen
Who is Eligible for an LTO Duplicate License
The LTO allows the following to secure a replacement for valid driver’s license in cases of loss, damage, or theft:
- Any Non-Professional Driver’s License holder who intends to replace a lost or stolen or damaged valid Non-Professional Driver’s License is eligible to make this application.
How much does a Replacement LTO Driver’s License Cost
A duplicate or a replacement driver’s license requires thepayment of the following fees before it can get relaced due to loss, damage, or theft:
- Replacement Fee – P 225.00
- Certification Fee – P 100.00
- Clearance Fee – P 30.00
- Duplicate Fee – P 50.00
The total amount you would need to pay may reach up to P 405.00, but do note that this price may change without notice. You may want to check with the specific LTO Branch you’re visiting if there are any other applicable fees that you’d need to pay.
How long is the Processing Time for Duplicate License in LTO
The entire process of getting a replacement for valid LTO Driver’s License in cases of loss, damage, or theft can be completed within 30 working days or as advised by the respective department authority.
How long is the Validity Period of the Duplicate License
To learn about the validity period of the replacement license, you would have to check the reissued driver’s license card to find the expiration date or the date until which the Driver’s License is valid.
What are the Requirements for Applying for a Replacement Driver’s License in LTO
Before you go to the nearest Land Transportation Office (LTO) branch to replace your lost or damaged license or secure a duplicate license, you will need to prepare the following:
Required Information
- Full Name
- Present Address
- Nationality
- Gender
- Birth Date
- Height
- Weight
- Blood Type
- Telephone / Cell phone Number
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Birth Place
- Father and Mother’s Name
- Spouse Name
- Employers Business Name and Telephone Number
- Employers Business Address
Required Documents
- Duly accomplished Driver’s License Application for Permits and Licenses (APL) Form
- Copy of Medical Certificate
- Complaint Copy (if it is stolen)
- Affidavit of Loss/Mutilation certified by an attorney-at-law and issued by a licensed Notary Public
- Mutilated Driver License (in case of mutilation)
- Submission of one (1) photocopy and presentation of your government-issued legal ID with photo and signature, which can be any of the following:
- Social Security System (SSS) Card
- UMID Card
- PhilHealth ID
- TIN Card
- Postal ID
- Voter’s ID
- Fee receipt
- Law Enforcement Clearance issued by the applicable LTO Regional Office (if the application is done outside of Metro Manila)
- LTO Certification of License Records
- LTO Duplicate and renewal Form (if the driver’s license is renewable) for driver’s license at the LTO
How to Replace Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver’s License in LTO
To get a replacement or duplicate Driver’s License in place of lost, stolen, or damaged Non-Professional Driver License from the LTO, you may check the step-by-step procedures listed below:
When Applying for a Replacement Driver’s License In Person
Step 1: Secure an application form from the LTO Central Office or from any concerned officer at the LTO office or download it from the LTO website.
Step 2: Fill in all the necessary details in the application form properly as incomplete applications won’t be accepted.
Step 3: Attach all the photocopies of the required documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section above before submitting the application.
Step 4: Schedule an appointment for the Land Transportation Office Management System (LTMS) Portal online.
Step 5: On the day of you appointment, visit the LTO branch and submit all the documents with the completed form to the concerned officer.
Step 6: After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
Step 7: Pay for the corresponding fees at the cashier and wait for an acknowledgment receipt to be provided. Please save it for future reference.
Step 8: Once paid, the application will be processed further. All the updates on the application status will be sent via SMS to the applicant’s mobile number.
Step 9: Once the process gets completed, the applicant gets a call from the office regarding the application so he can come in for the required procedures like the vision test.
Step 10: Once completed with the vision tests, the applicant has to do the biometric procedure in the office.
Note: This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as advised by the respective department authority.
When Applying for a Replacement Driver’s License Online via the LTMS Portal
Step 1: To replace lost or stolen or damaged Non-Professional Driver License, the applicant has to make the application online by visiting the LTMS Portal.
Step 2: The applicant has to click the “Register Now” button.
Step 3: Read all the details carefully, enter the captcha, and then click the “Next” button.
Step 4: The applicant has to click the “Enroll as an Individual”.
Step 5: Enter all the nationality details and click the “Next” button.
Step 6: Once registered, the applicant has to login with the nominated email ID and password and then click the “Sign in” button on the official Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) Portal website.
Step 7: Click licensing.
Step 8: Click apply for a duplicate/replacement license.
Step 9: Enter in all the details in the application form.
Step 10: Upload a scanned copy of the affidavit of loss you previously acquired, along with the other required documents which are mentioned above.
Step 11: Once done, pay for the fees listed above in online mode by clicking “Payment confirm.”
Step 12: After entering all the details, the applicant has to click the “Submit” button.
Step 13: After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If the documents are authentic and complete, the application will be accepted.
Step 14: Once the application is accepted, it will be processed further and all the updates on the application status will be sent via SMS to the applicant’s mobile number.
Step 15: Once the process gets completed, the applicant gets a call from the office regarding the application.
Step 16: The applicant will then need to visit their LTO branch of choice ro complete the vision tests and biometrics procedures.
Note: This entire process can be completed within 5 – 7 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.
LTO Duplicate License: How to Process and How Much Does it Cost? (Video)
Learn about the complete procedures for processing an LTO replacement Driver’s License in cases of loss, damage, or theft from the YT channel of Chi Plays by watching the video below:
Important Reminders
If you are coming in to process a replacement or duplicate Driver’s License, then here ate some reminders for you:
- You need to complete the application form before submitting it as incomplete applications will not be accepted or processed.
- All applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.
- The LTO Licensing Fees may vary depends on the expiry date & the date of application with LTO.
- Once processed, the applicant has to personally get the replacement Non-Professional Driver’s License from the LTO office.
- The process for replacement of Non-Professional and Professional Driver’s License is the same though there might be more requirements when processing a duplicate Professional Driver’s License due to the higher number of vehicle types that they can drive.
- If you have to update the information on your license, you will have to pay an additional 100-peso fee.
- If your license is due for renewal, you need to submit a medical examination certificate which is electronically transmitted.
- If it has been years since you lost your license, you might opt to apply for a license renewal instead.
- If your license is delinquent—meaning, you have one or more serious traffic violations—you will be required to undergo additional examinations.
- If you need help with the LTMS Portal online, you may check this guide on how to register for an LTMS online account.
- You no longer need to have your ID picture taken or to provide your signature as the LTO should already have this on file.
If you’ve done all of these, you can now get your license within the day if you’re lucky. In some cases, however, the LTO office will ask you to pick up your license on another day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For your reference, here are some common questions and answers regarding duplicate driver’s licenses from the LTO:
1. Do I need to renew my driver’s license before applying for a duplicate license if the lost or damaged license has expired?
If the lost or damaged license has expired, you may simply apply for a renewal though you would still need the documentary requirements for lost or damaged license to prove that you did have a driver’s license before.
2. Do I need to submit a Medical Certificate when getting a duplicate driver’s license from LTO?
If the lost or damagedlicense is due for renewal, then yes, you will need to submit and go through the same driver’s license renewal procedures as usual.
3. Can I get a duplicate license even if I have pending traffic violations/demerits?
Yes. However, if your license is delinquent or you have one or more serious traffic violations, you might be required to undergo additional examinations.
Summary
As you can see, the procedures for acquiring a duplicate driver’s license isn’t really that difficult. The entire process also doesn’t cost that much. It’ll also only take anywhere between 30 minutes to several hours depending on how busy your preferred LTO branch is, so you’d want to come in at your preferred LTO branch as early as possible to avoid the long queues altogether. Or, you can always be extra careful with your driver’s license so you wouldn’t need to go through any of this at all. In any case, you can always do it online by visiting the LTMS online portal or reaching out to any of the LTO Offices in the Philippines.