Calvin’s Hub

Earlier today I took a break from the office to renew my one month expired driver’s license at the Ayala MRT Station. I thought it would be quick so we had lunch at Glorietta before I went to the MRT station.

When I got to the renewal office, there was already a line outside with plenty of people filling up the chairs inside. I thought it would be fast even with the crowd since my officemates told me that it was easy to renew your license in small LTO offices.

Anyhow, I got to window 1 in about 10 minutes to get my application form. After filling it up I then proceed to the drug-testing office beside it which was also crowded considering its small and narrow space.

Why do we need to pay for insurance?

The medical checkup costs Php425. Php300 for the drug test, Php100 for the medical (which only consists of an eye exam) and Php25 for insurance. Is the price just right?

Why are they charging us insurance??? Is it required for the renewal? What about people who don’t need it? Do they know that it’s not easy to claim accident insurance? It’s a rip-off but I didn’t want to make a scene!!

More waiting…

Ok so after waiting for 15 minutes to have my name called for a urine test, I had to wait for about 30 more minutes standing in that cramped space for the eye exam. After the eye exam, I had to wait for about 15 minutes to get the results of my urine test.

So I got all my forms in place and I went back to the LTO office to submit it. Afterwards, I had to wait for 45 minutes to have my name called for a photo shot. Well at least, I’m already seated and the room was air-conditioned.

Finally, after a few more waiting…

After 15 minutes, I was called to pay for the renewal of my license. License fee is Php350, Late fee is Php75 and Computer fee is Php67.75 for a grand total of Php492.63. Didn’t expect to reach that much. Last year when my wife had her license renewed, the license fee only cost Php180!

Late fee

They should give drivers a grace period of a month at most before they charge them with a late fee.

I think to avoid getting that late fee you had to renew on the day your license expire. But would you spend most part of your birthday waiting in line to renew your license? I won’t.

Anyway, be prepared to spend almost a thousand bucks to have your license renewed.

So if you’re planning to have your license renewed at the Ayala MRT office, make sure that there’s only a few people since their system there is so slow. Good thing I got my iPod Touch with me to catch up on some reading.

I should’ve went to MetroPoint Mall (outside Taft Ave. MRT station) instead where it took me only 30 minutes to renew my license 3 years ago. Had to stay a bit late at the office to catch up with work.

Here’s to hoping that your license renewal will be much quicker and smoother.

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Filed under: Grrrrr