Drivers License Renewal at LTO Satellite Offices in Malls

My drivers license is about to expire, so I decided to have it renewed way before the expiration date. Driving without a valid drivers license is a violation with penalty amounting to 1,500 pesos (as of 2012). I'm renewing my driving license as soon as possible since being a government-issued ID, this can be used as proof of identity.

Inside the LTO Satellite Office in SM North

Good thing, the Land Transportation Office now have satellite offices in malls, which makes renewal of drivers license easier and faster. Last time (which was three years ago), I went to their kiosk in SM North Edsa for my renewal. The satellite office was located at the far end of the warehouse-like building which used to house the former SuperSale Club (I feel really old while typing the words Super Sale Club, haha!) Anyway, the LTO satellite office relocated to the newly-built NorthLink building in SM North, making it more accessible from people coming from EDSA. The new location is also much nearer to SM Carpark, adding to the convenience for people should they decide to bring their car.

Although my previous experience with drivers license renewal was "hassle-free", there's this one thing that I don't really enjoy -- drug test. No, not that I'm a drug user. I just think its not really needed and this drug test requirement is slowing the whole process of drivers license renewal. Good thing, this drug test is no longer required when renewing drivers license. Finally! I called the LTO Main Office in East Avenue to verify this and the guy who answered the call confirmed. As of last week, drug test is no longer required for drivers license renewal.

This will bring down the drivers license renewal cost, since drug testing (I think) is usually around 200-400 pesos. I then proceeded to the LTO office in SM North Edsa for my drivers license renewal, and I'm listing here the steps on how to renew the drivers license in LTO satellite offices in malls.

What to bring:

• Old Drivers License
• Pen
• Cash (150 pesos for medical exam, 420 pesos for license renewal)

Step 1 (you may skip this)
Go to the LTO Satellite Office. Proceed to Window 1 and show your old license. You will be told to go to the adjacent clinic for medical clearance.



Step 2 (start here)
As directed, go to the clinic beside the LTO satellite office (the one to the left if you're facing the door). Go to the far end of the room and show the old drivers license to the receiving person. Pay 150 pesos for the medical exam. You'll be given two receipts, one worth 50 pesos for "computer fee" and the other, 100 pesos for "medical exam". You will be asked to surrender your old drivers license. Wait for your name to be called.

Medical Examination Room - LTO SM North

Step 3 - Medical Examination
The medical examiner will call your name. You'll be asked to step on the scale and your weight (in kilograms) will be recorded. The medical examiner will ask you to stand with your back against the wall for "picture taking". This is for the clinics record, it won't appear in your license.  Afer this, the vision test. It will start with the "color blindness test" followed by the standard Snellen chart, with both being shown in the wall-mounted LCD-screen. For the color-blindness test, you'll be using both of your eyes while in Snellen chart, both eyes will be tested separately. The medical examiner will ask you to cover one of your eye while reading the Snellen chart. Don't squint, close your other eye, or cup your hand over your eye; use a cardboard/paper/anything to cover the other eye. Make sure you don't apply pressure or you'll find it hard to read the Snellen chart. After the test, wait for your name to be called.

Step 4 - Releasing of Medical Certificate
The medical examiner will release your certificate along with your old drivers license, indicating you passed the medical exam. Bring this to the Window 2 in the adjacent LTO office. You'll be given an application form for drivers license renewal. Fill this up and give it back to the same person in Window 2. Wait for your name to be called.

LTO Drivers License Renewal - SM North

Step 5 - Picture/Signature
Your picture will be taken in Window 1, so use this time to relax and compose yourself. This is the picture that will appear in your drivers license, so you better look your best. After picture taking, you'll be asked to sign on a digitizer; this signature will also appear in your drivers license.

Step 6 - Payment
Your name will be called in Window 5. Pay the renewal fee of 420 pesos (actually it's 417.63). Wait again for your name to be called.

Step 7 - Releasing
Your drivers license, along with the Official Receipt, will be released in a few minutes in Window 2.



That's it! It took me more than an hour to finish the whole drivers license renewal process, since the computer used for medical examination broke down and was being repaired when I arrived. There were about 20 people waiting in line when I arrived at around 3PM. On better days, I'm estimating the whole process can be done in half an hour or less.

Additional Notes:

• SM North Carpark parking fee is 45 pesos. Park at the side nearest to the entrance,
• Don't renew your license on paydays, there will surely be a lot of people renewing their licenses,
• Don't deal with fixers,
• Drug test is no longer necessary (but medical exam is still mandatory),
• Bring your own ballpen,
• You may renew your license 60 days (2 months) prior to its expiration,
• You may still renew your license at LTO Satellite Offices even if it's already expired. Penalty is 75 pesos per year,
• Check your license before you leave the office. Make sure the information is correct.