The government relaxed Wednesday its requirement that driver’s license applicants should have Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), the imposition of which has been the object of complaints from many motorists and drivers.

Acting Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Joel L. Tan Torres and Transportation Undersecretary for Land Transportation Office (LTO) Arturo C. Lomibao signed a memorandum of agreement exempting certain applicants from presenting TIN before they are issued licenses as prescribed under Executive Order 98.

The EO directs all government agencies to include the TIN as part of the essential requirements in all applications for government permits, licenses, clearances, official papers or documents.

The agreement waived the TIN requirement for certain individuals like foreign personnel of diplomatic missions, international organizations, foreign tourists and missionaries as well as members of religious organizations such as pastors, priests, nuns and lay ministers.

Also exempted from the TIN requirement are individuals not engaged in business, housewives, househelps, "balikbayans," students and those applying for non-professional license.

Tan-Torres said the MOA "shall foster close coordination between the two government agencies in paving the way for a more uniform implementation of the TIN requirement resulting in a better service to the public."

Previously, the LTO came out with a directive imposing the TIN requirement to all driver's license applicants based on the executive order. Lomibao said "the MOA clarified and settled all controversies."

Malacanang came out with the new system to capture more unregistered taxpayers for inclusion in the BIR's database.

Tan-Torres said the BIR will also conclude with other government agencies similar MOAs to boost its tax collection drive. (With a report by JC Bello Ruiz)