If you drive or own a car, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Official Receipt (OR) or Certificate of Registration (CR) is important. They not only assist authorities in better controlling the traffic system, but also in locating the vehicles when they are used in robberies and accidents. People who are learning the meaning of LTO OR/CR for the first time might not realize how crucial these papers are.

Differences between the OR and CR

The LTO issues the Official Receipt (OR), which includes your name and the cost, as proof that the registration charge for your car has been paid.

The Land Transportation Office also issues the Certificate of Registration (CR), which proves your ownership of the vehicle by including your full name and address. Additionally, CR includes comprehensive technical data on the vehicle, including the brand, class, motor, chassis, engine displacement, cylinder count, gross weight, net capacity, and total number of passengers.

What are the consequences of losing your OR/CR?

LTO OR and CR are paper-based documents like any other. If you don't maintain it properly, fire and water can easily destroy it. If you don't have your LTO OR/CR, you could run into a number of issues, including the following:

Since you lack the legal documentation necessary to establish your car's ownership, you won't be able to operate it on public roads. And if you continue to drive in this situation, you can find yourself at the police station and have to pay a fine.

Due to the absence of original documents, you will also be unable to renew its registration.

If you don't have strong proof paperwork proving your ownership of the car, you won't be allowed to sell it to anyone.

You could be considered an unlawful owner with no right to use your car and no right to win the dispute if one involving it develops, such as a collision on the street.

What to do if you lose your OR/CR?

Our advice is to visit the Land Transportation Office location where your vehicle was initially registered to obtain a copy if you misplace your LTD OR CR. You can obtain a legitimate copy of your car's OR/CR here. You must prepare the following documents before visiting LTO. 

• You must reaffirm your lost documents here and ask for a replacement copy by submitting a notarized affidavit of loss.
• Remember to bring the most recent OR (Official Receipt) with you.
• A Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) that has been approved.
• Two valid identification cards.

You can receive copies of lost papers by going to LTO. To regain ownership of the automobile, you will need to take a few steps and spend some time and money. This could be a drawback for you if you're a busy person. The moral of the story is to keep duplicates of your vehicle's CR and OR in the glove box and to store one in a secure location.

Photos from Grab Philippines, Land Transportation Office