The Philippines has launched an electronic driver's license!

On July 13, local time, the Philippine Land Transport Agency (LTO) now launched an electronic driver's license (eDL), which is as valid as a physical driver's license.

A reported shortage of plastic driver's license cards due to a change in the Ministry of Transport's bidding policy has prompted the authorities to take other measures to address the problem.

In the statement, Hector Villacorta, head of the Land Transport Department, said that after a comprehensive study and evaluation of the safety of electronic driver's licenses, the authorities have issued guidelines for the implementation of electronic driver's licenses.

Electronic driver's licenses began to be issued on Wednesday, July 12, and can now be queried through the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) account.

Villacorta said: "The electronic license is a valid and safe alternative form of authorization for driving. We are launching it as part of the digitalization of the agency and will also ensure the efficiency of our service."

According to the Land Transport Department's Memorandum No. HAV-2023-2410, holders of valid driving licenses issued by the Land Transport Department will be able to use the electronic license module.

Villacorta said that electronic driver's license holders will have the same privileges and responsibilities as physical driver's license holders, who are also subject to the same rules regarding traffic violations, fines and penalties.

according to the guiding principles, law enforcement officers of the land transport department and their authorized persons should accept the electronic version of the driving licence as valid authorization and proof of identity for driving motor vehicles.

He said that drivers arrested will be issued a temporary driving license (TOP) or an electronic temporary driving license (eTOP), which is valid for 72 hours after issuance.

The Villacorta said: "Arrested motorists must show their electronic license by visiting the Land Transport Management System portal account, and drivers who fail or refuse to show their electronic license will be regarded as non-compliance without a driver's license. If the violation is not resolved within the specified time, the temporary driver's license will be regarded as invalid and the driver will be prohibited from driving any motor vehicle."

If the electronic driver's license holder has an existing or unresolved violation or alarm, his account will be suspended, even if the photos and screenshots of the electronic driver's license cannot be identified by the law enforcement officers of the Land Transport Department.