Another "racket" at the LTO

If ever you get caught for traffic violation, please keep the receipts for the penalty you paid until the such time that you renew your license again. With the 3-year renewal period of licenses and the LTO's computerization system, their personnel may have developed a new racket.

This morning, I renewed my driver's license. The LTO office in Binan refused to renew it because they said I have an outstanding traffic violation. They told me that I got caught for reckless speeding in February 12, 2004 and I failed to settle it. They showed me a computer printout to this effect. I asked them that I already settled it, otherwise, I would not have taken back my license since it was confiscated. They said I may have dealt with fixers in taking it back.
I told them that I never deal with fixers. I also told them that if they acknowledged that I may have dealt with fixers, then someone inside the LTO must also be involved since I was able to get my license back.

They said if I really settled it, then I should show them the receipt and they would delete the entry in the computer -- they said maybe they just missed to delete it. Of course, I have no receipt to show them. That was almost two years ago. I never imagined this would happen so I never kept it.

In the end, I ended paying up P1,250.00 more. P500.00 for the penalty and P750.00 for the non-appearance to settle the violation.

This is such a simple scheme but it works. They accept your penalty when you claim your license but they don't delete it from the computer. If you renew it they will claim you failed to settle it. If you have the receipt to prove you did settle, they'll just claim there was an error. If you have no receipt, then you'll just have to pay again.

Please pass on to your friends who are also drivers out there.