Government & Education LTO at mall super busy lately - reason?

My license renewal time is approaching soon. Even though I still have a few weeks, I did walk by the LTO when visiting the mall last week, and today, I popped my head in the door; standing room only. Same standing room only in the med test center next door so they can't all be there to convert paper to plastic license.
Strange. compared to 3 years ago (same month of June as before) I was in and out in 20 minutes, hardly anybody there. I know the city population has not increased 10 fold, so, what's driving this? Why the huge crowd size over the past few weeks?

 

I guess more Road check points catching more people without a License & can only reclaim your Bike/Car when you have a license would be my guess But...............

 

Good thought, Jack. I'm sure that explains it. So, I checked the LTO web site, shows other locations; Bayawan, Bias City, and Bohol for the nearby ones. Might be worth a trip assuming it's OK to do as long as it's Region 7. Or maybe there's no region restriction for license renew without change of address involved?

 

There was a 10 month backlog of licenses to clear when the finally started giving out those 5 year licences. When I (and everyone else it seems) went in there in Feb they were already giving out appointments in August for people to come back and claim their 5 year license. So it stands to reason they will have double the number of people in there ever day until the backlog is cleared. (Double because of those expiring now plus those who still have to get their license from last year.) I don't expect it to clear up any time soon, but maybe the smaller towns have cleared their backlog already. If you have not yet started the renewal then maybe take a trip up to the LTO in Bais?

 

I did my renewal in March - you really need to get there about 7.45am so that you're in the first 10 through the door. If you do that you should be out in less than an hour. You will need 1 trip for the medical / drug test (next door) and 2 trips to the LTO, about 1 week apart, then you get a 5 yr licence.

 

Interesting. I'll try that - getting there early. I take it they open at 8am? Will it really require a separate trip for the medical? Can I assume you have to go to the LTO first, then bring some form for the med? Or does it matter which is done first? Man o man, I can't remember the details from 3 years ago.

 

I'm at the same issue. My license is actually expired but everytime I check its so very packed and has been for the last couple months. My time is mine and I don't care spending a day to renew my license because the LTO is filled with so much nonsense and backlogs because of corrupt government bullsh*t.

 

They opened just after 7 a.m. the day I was there. I got in first as a senior. Otherwise, I would suggest asking for an appointment. Just inside the door, to the left at a desk (not behind the counter to the right) is a lady who handles appointments. It might be 2 months in the future, but you will have the paper renewal.

 

I did mine in similar circumstances, got there early about 0730 doors opened 0800, being a Senior went to the front did my Photo and finger prints, and out at 0816. That was for the paper to plastic licence.

 

Do the med first - you don't need any form from LTO, they'll give you one in the med centre. You could do the med + LTO in one day, but the LTO will be packed by the time you get there.