LTO License Replacement Guide 2026: Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

The LTO requires four primary items for license replacement: a notarized affidavit of loss or damage, one valid government-issued ID, your LTO appointment reference number from the LTMS portal, and proof of payment. The affidavit of loss must state the circumstances of how you lost your license, where, when, and how it happened. For stolen licenses, a police report strengthens your application but is not mandatory. Your valid ID must show your current name and address matching LTO records.

RA 4136 Section 11 establishes that a fee applies to replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license; the statute's own peso figure is decades out of date and has been superseded by LTO's current administrative fee schedule. That current amount is not published as a fixed table on lto.gov.ph, so confirm it on the LTMS portal before you pay. Professional and non-professional license holders pay the same replacement fee. Budget separately for the notary's charge for your affidavit of loss, which is a private service fee, not an LTO charge.

You must apply for an LTO license replacement if your driver's license is lost, stolen, damaged beyond recognition, or mutilated. The LTO considers a license damaged if the photo, signature, or license number is no longer legible. A replacement license carries the same expiration date as your original license; you are not getting a new validity period. If your license is expiring soon, renewing instead of replacing may make more sense so you get a fresh validity period. The replacement process applies to both non-professional and professional driver's licenses.

The LTO license replacement process runs from securing your affidavit to receiving your new license card. Prepare your affidavit of loss before your planned LTMS appointment to avoid delays.

1. 1

   Secure a notarized affidavit of loss

   Visit any notary public with a valid ID and draft your affidavit stating when, where, and how you lost your license. Include your full name, license number if known, and contact details.

   Notary offices near LTO branches often handle this quickly. Call ahead to confirm rates and hours.

2. 2

   Book an LTMS appointment

   Go to portal.lto.gov.ph, log in with your Client ID, select 'Driver's License Replacement' as your transaction type, then choose your preferred LTO branch and date.

   Book at portal.lto.gov.ph
3. 3

   Pay the replacement fee

   Pay the amount shown on your LTMS assessment, either online or at the LTO cashier window on your appointment day. Keep the official receipt.

4. 4

   Submit documents at LTO

   Arrive ahead of your appointment time. Submit your affidavit, valid ID, payment receipt, and appointment confirmation at the receiving window for verification.

   Bring photocopies of all documents in case the branch asks for them.

5. 5

   Biometrics and photo capture

   Proceed to the biometrics station for fingerprint scanning and a new digital photo, which is used on your replacement card.

6. 6

   Receive your temporary permit

   The LTO issues a temporary operator's permit that serves as your legal driver's license while your replacement card is produced. Keep it with you and present it at checkpoints.

7. 7

   Claim your replacement license

   The LTO sends an SMS notification when your card is ready for pickup at your chosen branch. Bring your temporary permit and one valid ID to claim it.

   Check your LTMS account for card status updates before making a trip to the branch.

LTO branches accept both walk-in applicants and LTMS appointment holders for license replacement. Appointment holders generally move through a priority lane, while walk-ins join the regular queue and processing time depends on branch congestion that day. If you cannot secure an LTMS slot at a busy branch, a less congested branch may have shorter queues.

Your LTO temporary operator's permit is a valid driver's license during the replacement card production period. Keep it in your wallet at all times when driving, and carry a photocopy as backup. If stopped at a checkpoint, present the temporary permit along with your vehicle registration and insurance. Take a clear photo of your temporary permit and store it on your phone as additional proof.

If your license is close to expiring, compare the replacement fee against the renewal fee on the LTMS portal before choosing. Replacement keeps your original expiration date; renewal resets it for a fresh validity period. Log in to portal.lto.gov.ph and check your driver profile to confirm your exact expiration date if you don't have your physical license.

Professional driver's license holders follow the same replacement process as non-professional license holders: same documents, same LTMS booking flow. The LTO does not require professional drivers to retake any exams during replacement. Your replacement professional license keeps the same restriction codes as your original.

Foreign nationals with valid overseas driver's licenses who lost their licenses while in the Philippines should contact their home country's licensing authority; the LTO cannot issue a replacement for a license it did not issue. If you converted a foreign license to a Philippine driver's license through the LTO exam, you follow the standard replacement process like any other Philippine license holder.