Everything you need to know about vehicle registered in the Philippines

As you are here checking this article, it can be assumed that you have purchased a new vehicle, so congratulations on that. But before taking your vehicle out for a spin, you must make formal ownership with the government of the Philippines. Car registration is an essential part of purchasing a new vehicle, and the LTO (Land Transportation Office) is the office you should visit right after purchasing a vehicle to get it registered legally.

Registering a vehicle with the LTO is a lengthy and tedious process for some car owners. However, the intelligent ones know exactly how to endure it without approaching the boiling point. If you are thinking that you can do that by paying fixers or LTO officials, then you are entirely on the wrong path, as it is illegal. You can get your vehicle registered by understanding the system and keeping all the required and vital documents ready.

Majority of new car owners rely on their dealers to manage the nitty-gritty of LTO car registration to stay away from the hassle of the process. However, to enjoy this benefit, you have to pay extra money to your dealer. If you have plenty of cash, you can opt for it, but if you are willing to save money, perform the legwork and register your car on your own without any support from a fixer.

For beginners, you should determine the type of your vehicle like it can be a light electric vehicle, locally manufactured, imported, three-wheeled vehicle, low-speed vehicle or a tax-exempt one, as there are distinct sets of demands and rules for each kind. One of the vital steps of getting a vehicle registered is to have all the required documents.

Here is the list of the required documents:

• Bill of Lading
• Commercial invoice of Motor Vehicle (MV), which should be issued by the country of origin
• BOC Certificate of Payment
• Sales invoice of the MV
• Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR)
• PNP-TG MV Clearance Certificate
• Appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover (COC)
• Duly accomplished and signed Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
• Authentic Certificate of Public Convenience duly approved by the LTFRB, in case of for hire MVs
• Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)
• Valid Motorized Tricycle Operators Permit (MTOP) for TC only

There are a few simple steps that you need to follow after getting all your documents ready. First of all, you should move to the transaction counter and give all the necessary documents to the Evaluator so that he/she can evaluate your application and compute the fees. After that, you should hold back for your motor vehicle to be scrutinized by an LTO officer. When the inspection is done, submit the filled out MVIR. After submitting the report, you are required to pay the fees and receive the official receipt from the cash counter when your turn comes. Lastly, you will receive your certificate of registration, stickers, plates, and other papers at the releasing counter.

Here are some of the tips that you can keep in mind while getting your vehicle registered:

• Do not forget to get your early warning device with you. You can keep it in your car’s trunk
• You should try to reach the office at the earliest to avoid the long line. It’s advisable to arrive before 8 AM
• You must keep loose change with you to pay for the photocopier
• If you want to get approval from the inspector, then keep your vehicle in a clean and good running condition
• If you visit the office at peak hours, then you must carry an entertainment device to kill time
• Keep your documents and receipts ready to prevent a delay in the process
• Most importantly, do not pay fixers or LTO officers to avoid the hassle

That’s all; your vehicle is now officially registered, now you can plan for a long trip with your family in your new car. This process might get lengthy and time-consuming depending upon the number of people who have applied for registration, but you should always keep patience and complete every process effectively.

Also Read: Things to remember while transferring the ownership of your car