The Land Transportation Office has just announced over one of their official Facebook pages that they have suspended the system by which motorists applying for renewal and new license applicants submitted their medical certificates from accredited clinics and/or doctors online.

The LTO will instead accept hard (printed) copies of the medical certificates until the problems can be resolved.

Those familiar with the situation know that the LTO's new system was intended to improve the pace and convenience of getting a license. The new process is in line with the LTO's Memorandum Circular No. 2018-2157 or the Revised Guidelines for Medical Examination, Accreditation of Medical Clinics and Registration of Physicians Relative to the Issuance of Medical Certificates to Student-Driver's Permits and Driver's/Conductor's License Applicants.

The new system was implemented on January 7, but only took two days to be halted. Yesterday, the LTO said that they were encountering some unspecified issues and delays, and it appears that the issues have become a full-on roadblock instead.

We confirmed the information with the Land Transportation Office through the Department of Transportation, and according to LTO Executive Director Romeo Vera Cruz, they are solving the “technical problem”. ED Vera Cruz also stated that the stoppage for the new system is only temporary.

In a separate posting yesterday, the LTO advised new and renewal license applicants to not proceed to LTO outlets in the National Capital Region yet until they have normalized the situation and addressed the issues.

The LTO also stated that monetary penalties for expired licenses due to the problems with the system will be waived.