All you need to know about driver’s license confiscation in Metro Manila

No matter how good a driver you are, there once is a time in everyone's lives when they make a mistake and a traffic law enforcer catches them red-handed. Has it happened to you or have you been successful in maintaining a clean record? Whatever may be the case, today we’ll be discussing how you should handle your license when an officer stops you for a violation.

As a driver, you can drive legally on the roads thanks to the LTO-issued driver’s license, thus making it one of the most crucial documents to obtain and maintain. We have already discussed the process of license procurement, renewal, associated costs & fees, and expiry in detail. Now it’s time to talk about the confiscation of driver’s licenses. Here we’ll be shedding some light on topics like -

• Who has the legal power to confiscate the driver’s license
• When the driver’s license was confiscated
• What to do after the driver’s license gets confiscated

Also Read: Here’s why you should not be driving without a license in the Philippines

Let us find answers to all these questions one by one-

Who has the legal power to confiscate the driver’s license?

Under the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) single ticketing system(explained below), Metro Manila traffic enforcers are no longer permitted to confiscate driver’s licenses. It was a thing in the past but not now, except for certain conditions.

When the driver’s license was confiscated?

Wanna know such conditions? Well, a driver’s license can be confiscated and even revoked by the LTO, if a driver is found to be a perennial violation of the traffic laws (especially, if they fail to pay the fine).

Note, that every time a driver commits a traffic violation, his/her license gets issued a demerit point. And only when the license reaches its full quota of demerit points, it can be confiscated or permanently revoked.

What to do after the driver’s license gets confiscated?

Once the authorities have confiscated your license, the next obvious step is to get it back. But the question is how? Well, there is no universal answer, as the process varies with the Local Government Unit (LGU) you’ll be heading to. For instance, if you go to the LGU in Quezon City you’ll be required to bring along the following documents to get back your license -

• A photocopy of your LTO OR and CR (Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration)
• A photocopy of one of your valid IDs
• Original ordinance violation receipt
• An authorization letter to claim the confiscated license (in case of a representative)
• Affidavit of Loss (if the original OVR ticket is missing)

Step-by-step process to get a confiscated driver’s license

Step 1: Head to the nearest LGU
Step 2: Go to the OVR Receiving Clerk desk at the Task Force for Transport and Traffic
Management Office and submit the documents
Step 3: Get the Order of Payment
Step 4: Clear all the fines and penalties
Step 5: Wait for the official receipt of payment
Step 6: Hand over the official receipt to the officer at the designated window
Step 7: Congratulations, you’ll now be handed your confiscated driver’s license

Also Read: LTO Driver's License Renewal: Check out the cost, requirements, and more

Understanding the single ticketing system

It was in May 2023 that the pilot run for the single ticketing system began across several Philippine cities including Manila, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Parañaque, Quezon City, San Juan, and Muntinlupa. It aims to centralize the NCR which will lead to -

• Harmonize national and local traffic rules
• Reduce corruption among traffic enforcers and motorists
• Uniformity of fines for common traffic violations imposed on the driver

Also, while the single ticketing system does not allow traffic enforcers to confiscate the license, it enables them in other ways. For example, traffic enforcers are now allowed to carry body cameras and handheld devices connected to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) system, both of which enable them to issue violation tickets. Drivers with such violations will be issued demerit points on their licenses along with fines which they can pay via mobile wallets or at the city hall of the LGH where they were apprehended.

Note, that violators have just ten days to pay traffic fines.

Also Read: LTMS Portal Online: All you need to know from registration to requirement

Violations a driver may committee & corresponding fine

Here’s a guide that will give you clarity on the various driving-related violations along with their corresponding fine and penalties. Thus, helping you be aware on the road and be a better driver.

Violation	Fine	Penalty
Invalid driver’s license (expired, revoked, suspended)	PHP 3,000	Disqualification from acquiring a driver’s license  Not allowed to drive a motor vehicle for 1 year after payment of the fine
Driving a vehicle involved in a crime	PHP 10,000	Disqualification from acquiring a driver’s license  Disqualification from diving  Confiscation of the vehicle
Driving a vehicle involved in the commission of a crime	PHP 10,000	Driver’s license will be confiscated and revoked Disqualified from getting a license for 5 years (from the date of payment of the fine) Confiscation of the vehicle until ordered
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and similar substances	From PHP 50,000 to PHP 500,000 - No physical injury or killing someone: PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 - Physical injuries: PHP 150,000 to PHP 250,000 - Homicide: PHP 350,000 to PHP 500,000	Driver with non-professional license - First conviction will result in confiscation and suspension of the license for 18 months Second conviction will result in permanent revocation Driver with a professional driving license Confiscation and perpetual revoking of the license Driver will not be able to get any kind of driving license
Reckless driving with registration violations	PHP 2,000 to PHP 10,000 First-time reckless driving: PHP 2,000 Second-time reckless driving: PHP 3,000 Third & subsequent cases of reckless driving: PHP 10,000	Suspension of driver’s license (3 months to 2 year)
Not wearing a seatbelt & allowing a child below 6 to sit in the front seat	PHP 1,000 to PHP 5,000 First offense: PHP 1,000 Second offense: PHP 2,000 Third offense: PHP 3,000 & suspension of license for 1 week from the payment of fine	1-week suspension of license
Passengers not wearing a seatbelt (public vehicle)	PHP 3,000 (both for the driver & operator)	NA
Failure to carry a license, CR, OR	PHP 1,000	NA
Not adhering to LTO’s traffic rules & regulations	PHP 1,000	NA

Bottom line

A driver’s license is insured who are physically and mentally fit and possess complete knowledge of the traffic rules and regulations. Therefore when driving on the road, it is every driver’s responsibility to drive carefully and in case they violate any rule, pay the fine immediately.

There is no fun in getting your license confiscated or in the worst scenario revoked.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to LTO Vanity License Plate (OMVSP) in the Philippines