Coverage: defective cards and free replacement
- Free replacement applies to still valid driver’s license cards that are defective/damaged and do not meet quality control standards.
- Still-valid defective cards to be replaced include cards issued defectively due to machine-error, material-related-error, and human-related error.
- Defective examples include faded, peel-off, broken, typographical-error, printing error, and similar defects.
- The memorandum sets out guidelines for replacement at no cost for covered defective cards.
Who files and where to file
- Requests for replacement based on machine-related and material-related defects must be filed at the agency where the driver’s license card was issued.
- When going back to the originating issuing agency is impractical, the applicant may be referred to the nearest Licensing Center.
- For defects caused by human-error (specifically typographical-error), the replacement request must be filed only with the issuing agency or with the License Section, East Avenue, Quezon City.
Required surrender and documentary presentation
- The license holder must surrender the driver’s license card to be replaced.
- The license holder must present the latest official receipt (OR) if available to confirm the license holder’s record of transaction.
- The license holder must submit any valid identification to establish true identity.
Verification procedures in the system
- Verification of the photo-image in the IT-system must be part of the procedure to confirm the photo of the driver applying for replacement.
Handling record problems
- In cases of “record-problems,” the license holder must be referred to the License Section for necessary and appropriate action.
Guidance and adoption
- The memorandum is issued “for the guidance of all concerned.”
- The memorandum is adopted on 14 March 2008 and takes effect through internal LTO direction for processing covered replacements.