Expired Driver's License Philippines 2026: Penalty, Fine and How to Renew

There are two separate costs, and each row in the table names its source. The fine applies only if you drive on the expired license and get caught. The delinquency fee applies when you renew late, whether you drove or not.

The fine is ₱3,000 under JAO 2014-01 item I.a, which lists expired licenses under driving without a valid license. JAO 2014-01 has no separate tier for how long the license has been expired, so one day and three years cost the same ₱3,000.

The delinquency fee comes from RA 4136 Section 26, which adds it to the basic fee when you renew a delinquent license. The statute's own ₱5 figure is superseded; LTO's current schedule sets the amount on your assessment. The standard renewal fees below are ₱585 for non-professional and ₱757.50 for professional licenses.

No, not even to the LTO. RA 4136 Section 19 says no person shall drive while their license is delinquent, invalid, suspended or revoked. It names no exception for a trip to renew, on any road or expressway.

Choose the safe option: a passenger with a valid license drives, or you take a ride. A ₱3,000 fine plus a year without a license costs far more than the fare.

Bring your expired license, a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic (₱250-500) and two government-issued IDs. Lost the expired card too? Get a notarized affidavit of loss and start with the license replacement, since RA 4136 Section 26 asks for the old card or a duplicate. Expired over 2 years? See the exam rule in the next section.

1. Get a Medical Certificate
   Visit any LTO-accredited clinic near your location. The exam includes vision test, blood pressure check, and general health assessment. Bring a valid ID and ₱250-500 in cash. Details in our LTO medical exam guide.

   Clinics near major LTO offices (East Avenue, Quezon City; LTO San Juan) process certificates in 15-30 minutes.

2. Prepare Your Documents
   Bring your expired license, medical certificate, and two valid IDs (passport, UMID, postal ID, voter's ID). If license is lost, include notarized Affidavit of Loss.

   Photocopy all IDs and certificates, some LTO offices require copies.

3. Book an Appointment (Optional but Recommended)
   Visit the LTO Portal at portal.lto.gov.ph to book a renewal slot. Walk-ins are allowed but expect 2-4 hour wait times at busy offices.
   Book LTO Appointment
4. Pay Renewal Fee
   At the LTO cashier, pay ₱585 (non-pro) or ₱757.50 (pro), plus the delinquency fee your assessment shows for a late renewal (RA 4136 Section 26). Keep the Official Receipt, you'll need it for the next steps.
5. Submit Documents and Get Photographed
   Proceed to the evaluation window, submit all documents, and have your photo and signature captured. The officer will verify your medical certificate and check for any pending violations.
6. Claim Your License Card
   New plastic licenses are released 30-45 days after renewal. You'll receive a paper temporary license valid for 60 days. Track your card in your LTMS account at portal.lto.gov.ph using your Transaction Number.

If your license expired over 2 years ago, LTO policy requires you to retake the written exam and practical driving test. The written exam is the 40-item test new applicants take, with 30 correct to pass. The practical test covers vehicle inspection, basic maneuvers and a short road test.

The renewal fee stays ₱585 plus the medical certificate. Plan for one or two extra LTO visits for the exams.

Next: prepare with our LTO exam reviewer, which covers signs, right of way, RA 4136 speed limits and JAO 2014-01 fines.

You can start online, but you finish in person. RA 10930 (2 August 2017) directed LTO to build an online renewal process, and the LTMS portal at portal.lto.gov.ph now runs the renewal course and the CDE online validation exam. You must still appear at an LTO licensing center or extension office to pay, have your photo taken, and verify your identity. Book that appointment on the same portal to skip the walk-in queue. Some third-party services claim to process expired renewals remotely, these are not LTO-authorized and may result in invalid licenses. Stick to official LTO channels only.

Your license expiration date is printed on the front of your plastic card in MM/DD/YYYY format, below your photo. If you've lost your card or can't read the date, log in to your LTMS account at portal.lto.gov.ph. Your driver profile shows the expiration date, restriction codes and any pending violations. Under RA 10930 the license runs five years from your birthdate, so the expiry falls on your birthday. Set a phone reminder 60 days before it.

If your Student Permit expired before you took the practical exam, you restart from the student permit with a new medical certificate. Student Permits are valid for 1 year and cannot be renewed. If your Non-Professional or Professional license expired while you held a Student Permit endorsement (e.g., upgrading from motorcycle to car), you must complete the practical exam first, then renew the expired base license. The LTO does not allow simultaneous renewal and exam, complete the exam, get your new restriction code, then proceed to renewal.

If your Student Permit expires in 30 days and you haven't scheduled your practical exam, book immediately at portal.lto.gov.ph. Exam slots fill 2-3 weeks in advance at busy offices.

Bringing an expired medical certificate. Certificates are valid three months from issue date under LTO Memorandum Circular RIB-2007-884 (17 May 2007); if yours lapsed, get a new one.

Not checking for pending violations. Unpaid fines block renewal. Check at portal.lto.gov.ph or pay at the LTO cashier first.

Expecting same-day plastic card release. The new card takes 30-45 days, and you drive on the paper temporary license until then.