License plates and driver’s licenses will soon be delivered right to the doorsteps of drivers and motor vehicle owners as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has succeeded in pilot-testing its digital platform that will pave the way to home delivery service.

Dubbed as the LTOTracker, LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said the agency’s new digital technology will provide an option for fast and comfortable services—and even real-time monitoring— of their driver’s licenses and license plates.

“The new technology will provide access to the agency clients to track the status of their driver’s licenses and motor vehicle plates in real time and even have them delivered straight to their doorsteps through an accredited courier service provider,” said Mendoza.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Seretary Vince Dizon lauded the LTO for the technological innovations, saying the move will do away with the traditional long lines and endless waiting in every transaction and agency.

“This is a historic move toward full digitalization and a game-changing innovation that will bring LTO services closer than ever to Filipinos, right at their fingertips,” said Dizon.

“This system ensures a more organized and efficient process at LTO offices,” he added.

But Dizon said LTO clients, especially the “titos and titas” who still prefer the traditional way, will still be an option for those who prefer to pick up their documents personally.

Mendoza disclosed that they initiated pilot testing of the project and the result was successful: “The live testing phase of LTOTracker was a massive success as it completed over 8,000 seamless deliveries of plates and licenses.”

“This milestone proves the system’s reliability, efficiency, and positive user experience, setting a new standard for government service in the Philippines,” he added.

How it works

Under the LTOTracker project, Mendoza said motor vehicle owners can log on to www.ltotracker.com, where they can inquire about their plate status, update delivery details, and pre-book their plates for delivery.

He said the platform also provides real-time tracking, enabling users to monitor their plate’s journey from the LTO facility to their doorstep.

In order to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the service, Mendoza said the LTO has accredited nine courier service providers to handle plate deliveries nationwide as fast as possible even to the most remote areas of the country.

Through the LTOTracker, Mendoza said registered vehicle owners will finally receive their long-awaited plates conveniently and efficiently.

Aside from resolving public frustration, he said the delivery service also plays a pivotal role in promoting road safety and compliance.

“With properly issued plates, law enforcement officers can more effectively monitor vehicles, reducing unregistered and illegally operated units on the road,” said Mendoza.

Just the beginning

Dizon said the LTOTracker is just the beginning of a major transformation at the LTO, with the ultimate goal of fully digitalizing all services.

He said this initiative eliminates red tape, reduces in-person visits, and maximizes convenience, ensuring that essential LTO services are just a tap away.

“The era of waiting in line for hours is coming to an end. With LTOTracker, government service is finally catching up with the digital age, delivering speed, convenience, and transparency like never before,” said Dizon.

In a meeting with LTO officials before, President Marcos tasked the LTO to maximize the digital technology in improving government services, as well as to put an end to the issue of backlog of motor vehicle plates that has plagued the country since 2014.

Mendoza, for his part, said the crafting and the implementation of the LTOTracker project is in response to the President’s order.

“The President’s vision to digitalize government services is one we fully support and adamant about implementing. This is not just about delivering plates. This is about restoring trust in the LTO, improving public service, and demonstrating that we are capable of modernizing our processes to meet the expectations of the Filipino people,” said Mendoza.

'No plate available'

The backlog of motor vehicle plates, which began in 2014, has been a source of frustration for millions of motorists. Years of delays caused by procurement issues, legal battles, and logistical challenges have tarnished the reputation of the motor vehicle registration system.

This is the problem that Mendoza focused on when he assumed the top LTO post in July 2023 and within six months after assuming the post, the backlog of license plates on four-wheel vehicles was resolved as he pushed for the printing of more than 800,000 plates a month.

Mendoza also made sure that newly-bought motor vehicles will not be included in the backlog when he ordered the prioritization of license plates for both motorcycles and cars.

Mendoza also pushed to resolve the backlog on driver’s license, a big problem of the LTO when he assumed the top agency post due to shortage of plastic cards.