8 dealers to be fined by LTO for late vehicle registrations

MANILA: Eight car and motorcycle dealerships across the country will be sanctioned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for violating the authorized processing time for vehicle registrations.

The five-day registration period stipulated by Memorandum Circular 2021-2294, or the Rules on the Initial Registration of Motorcycles and Penalties for Violations Thereof, was disregarded by these dealers, according to LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade.

The resolutions against these dealers were issued by the LTO Manufacturer, Assembler, Importer, Rebuilder, Dealer, and Other Entities (MAIRDOEs) accreditation committee.

Tugade explained that dealers are in charge of ensuring the strict adherence to the processing schedule for vehicle registrations. He said that any delays could affect the public or a client trying to buy a vehicle, especially if it is for business.

In three of the resolutions, one dealer released the registration of motorcycles bought from their stores after nine days, while the other two took 11 days.

The dealers were fined P20,000 each. The resolution added a stern warning that repetition of similar acts “will be dealt with more severely.”

Tugade emphasized to dealers the importance of strict compliance with all rules and legislation relating to vehicle registration, from initial registration to the issuance of the certificate of registration (CR), original receipt (OR), and release of license plates.

He added that delays, especially in the release of plate numbers, may also result in further backlogs in the issuance of license plates. He said that the agency is being held responsible for these delays “even if it should not be the case totally.”

Photos from Land Transportation Office

Also read:

Can you drive your brand new car without an OR/CR?

How to check your LTO violations online

How to acquire a driver's license in the Philippines?