The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered an end to license confiscation during traffic apprehensions and set a 15-working-day period for motorists to settle violations to standardize procedures.

The policy, contained in LTO Memorandum Circular No. MVL-2026-4846, implements a directive from Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez under DOTr Memorandum Circular No. 2026-001 dated Jan. 9 and applies to violations covered by Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01.

Under the guidelines, the 15-day settlement period will be counted in working days from the date of apprehension, excluding weekends, holidays, and work suspensions.

“A key provision included in these guidelines is that driver’s licenses will not be confiscated at the time of apprehension,” the LTO said in the circular signed by Assistant Secretary and LTO chief Markus V. Lacanilao.

Instead of confiscation, licenses of motorists with unsettled violations will be placed under “alert” status in LTO systems; those who settle within the period will be considered compliant, while failure to do so will result in the automatic suspension or revocation of the license for 30 days, without prejudice to the payment of fines and penalties.

Lopez said the order follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to streamline traffic apprehension procedures and ensure policy consistency.

“The new memorandum circular shall take effect immediately,” he said, adding that shifting to working days would “afford both the government and the public sufficient time to resolve cases.”

The changes come after public criticism by vlogger James Deakin over difficulties in settling traffic violations during the holidays under the previous 15-calendar-day deadline.

The LTO said the rules will apply prospectively, with a 15-working-day transition period for system adjustments, and directed all regional offices, traffic adjudication units, and law enforcement personnel to strictly implement the guidelines.

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