MOTORISTS in the region can breathe a sigh of relief as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) XI announced a three-month extension for the renewal of driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.
LTO XI regional director Atty. Ernesto Raphael Robillo confirmed the development at the sidelines of the launch of the RideIt hailing app at SM City Davao last Thursday, April 23.
According to Robillo, the grace period applies to licenses and registrations expiring in April 2026 and subsequent months, provided the current memorandum order remains in effect. He noted that the extension is intended to assist citizens amid ongoing economic challenges.
“We have extensions for deadlines. For example, if a license or registration expires this April, there is a three-month window before the expiration becomes effective for enforcement purposes,” Robillo told reporters.
Under this policy, motorists who fall within the extension period will not be charged late fees.
“The penalties, fines, and obligations are waived for those three months,” Robillo explained. “If your registration expires in April, we will count three months before the expiration as strictly enforced.”
Limitations of the extension
However, the regional director clarified that the extension is not a “get out of jail free” card for other traffic offenses. While motorists will not be cited for an expired license or registration during the grace period, all other traffic violations remain enforceable.
“It does not mean that if you are apprehended for other violations, those will be waived as well,” Robillo cautioned. “This specifically applies to the expiration of the license or registration. For instance, if the expiration is in May, the owner has a three-month extension from that date.”
The LTO XI advises the public to stay updated on further announcements, as the extension remains valid unless a new memorandum order is issued to revoke it.
