Even the safest of drivers may receive a ticket at some point in their lives. We've all paid fines for doing things we shouldn't have, whether it was for littering or smoking in a no-smoking area.

If you drive in the Philippines, there's a good chance you've already been issued a ticket by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for breaking one or more traffic laws. Since we are all human, there will inevitably be days when you make mistakes or lose your composure.

However, avoiding these fines or penalties in the future is the main objective. By being a cautious and informed driver in 2023, you can accomplish that by being aware of these LTO infractions and fines.

LTO Infractions Related to License

Driving Without a Valid License - LTO Fine: P3,000

Want to take an urgent drive but are too lazy to get a license? Then, before you start your car, pause. In the Philippines, driving without a license carries a severe 3,000 peso fine.

Anyone driving with a driver's license that is past due, expired, suspended, revoked, incorrect, or phony is subject to a fine for this LTO infraction involving a license.

Beware, aspiring drivers! If you're discovered driving without a valid license, you'll also be required to pay this fine.

Failure to Wear Seatbelt

LTO Fine: P1,000, to P5,000

The very first thing you should do when entering your car is buckle up. If they don't, drivers and passengers will be subject to the LTO cost, which is P1,000 for a first violation. A P2,000 fine must be paid if you commit the same offense twice. The fine is P5,000 for the third offense and every subsequent one.

If you let children under the age of six sit in the front seat, you'll also be charged the same fee. Your driver's license will also be suspended for a week in addition to the fine.

Driving Recklessly

LTO Fine: P2,000 to P10,000

In the Philippines, reckless driving carries a fine and a license suspension as penalties. The fine is P2.000 if you are caught driving carelessly for the first time. If you are caught twice and still fail to learn your lesson, you will be fined P3,000 and have your license suspended for three months.

The fine for your third and subsequent crimes will be 10,000 plus a six-month license suspension or revocation.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

LTO Fine: P50,000 to P500,000

According to the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, this is a major infraction with grave repercussions. If no one was physically hurt or killed as a result of your offense, you will receive a three-month prison sentence and a fine between P50,000 and P100,000.

The penalty, however, shall be as outlined in Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code in addition to a fine of between P150,000 and P250,000 if the breach led to physical injury.

The penalty is as outlined in Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code and a fine of between P350,000 and P500,000 if the infraction led to homicide.

On your first conviction, your non-professional driver's license will be seized and suspended for 18 months. The second conviction will result in its permanent revocation.

On your first conviction, your professional driver's license will be taken away and permanently suspended. After then, the motorist will also be ineligible to obtain any form of driver's license.

Failure to Wear a Helmet (for motorcycles)

LTO Fine: P1,500 to P10,000

Every time they go, motorcycle riders and their back riders should always wear helmets. In the year 2023, failure to comply will result in the corresponding LTO motorcycle fines and penalties.

• First offense: P1,500
• Second offense: P3,000
• Third offense: P5,000
• Fourth and succeeding offenses: P10,000

In addition to the above-mentioned penalties for this no-helmet infraction in 2023, the driver's license will be seized for the fourth and subsequent violations. Furthermore, if caught with a helmet that isn't up to code or one that doesn't have the ICC sticker, motorcycle riders, and their back riders will be punished.

Obstruction of Traffic

LTO Fine: P1,000

The LTO obstruction violation charge for 2023 is also due if you obstruct another vehicle's ability to pass on the highway, whether it's during the loading or unloading of passengers or cargo or any other similar circumstances.

Violations and Penalties Related to Number Plates

Plate Number Not Firmly Attached

LTO fine: P5,000

Watch out for various LTO breaches on plate numbers. For instance, check to see that your license plate is securely fastened to your car.

You'll pay a hefty fine of P5,000 for a no-plate infraction. Driving with a loose number plate puts your safety and the safety of other road users at risk in addition to causing damage to your car.

LTO Sticker Violation

LTO Fine: P5,000

This fine applies to motorists and motorcycle riders attaching improper third-party stickers or tampering with LTO stickers. For LTO decals violations, you'll also incur the same penalty.

Tampering with Plate Number

LTO Fine: P5,000

In addition to the penalty, the illegal license plate will be taken off and seized.

Transfer or Use of Normally Issued Vehicle Plates, Tags, or Stickers Without Permission

LTO Fine: P12,000

Your license will be suspended for three months if your car is used in the illegitimate transfer of license plates or stickers.

You would be liable for a P12,000 LTO fine if the vehicle was utilized in illegal conduct. For a period of two years, the license plates, registration documents, and official receipts would also be stopped.

Keep in mind that the LTO fine does not apply to automobiles with security plates that are registered.

Violations and Penalties Related to Parts and Accessories

Driving With a Defective Tail Light

LTO Fine: P5,000

The fine for a broken tail light can be extremely expensive. Therefore, as a responsible driver, make sure everything is in working order before you start driving. The following items are also subject to the fine for improper/defective/unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts.

• Wipers
• Speedometer
• Blinkers
• Brakes
• Early warning device (EWD)
• Grill/s
• Jalousy
• Foot and hand brakes
• Bells/horns/sirens/whistles
• Brake lights, headlights, interior lights, signal lights
• Mirrors
• Early warning device (EWD)
• Exhaust
• Metallic tires/spare tires.
• Windshield.
• Any other accessory, device, equipment, or part that may risk road safety.

Your car will be impounded until you replace or correctly install the offending part in addition to having to pay the fee. Additionally, unauthorized plates, accessories, or gadgets will be seized.

Smoke Belching from Exhaust

LTO Fine: P2,000 to P6,000

The first time you get caught belching smoke, you'll have to pay a P2,000 fine. Apprehended drivers will be fined P4,000 for a second offense. A P6,000 fine and a one-year suspension of the vehicle's registration are imposed for the third infraction.

How can LTO violations be verified in 2023?

If you have any LTO infractions, you can quickly verify them on the LTMS Online Portal (portal.lto.gov.ph). Log in to the LTO site after enrolling for an account. To view your demerit points—the number of points you receive for each traffic or driving infraction you commit—click on Violations.

Click the Unsettled tab to view your outstanding violations. Viewing the violations you've already resolved is possible on the History tab.

How and Where to Contest LTO Violations?

According to the MMDA's rules, motorists who are dissatisfied with the arrest may submit a motion to appeal the infraction by writing to the Traffic Adjudication Board. Dashcams come in handy here as the agency also states that drivers may submit images and/or videos to support their request to contest the infraction if necessary for a thorough inquiry.

Be sure to submit the contest letter within five days of your arrest. Likewise, motorists have the right to protest about arresting police who may have broken the agency's apprehension rules. Drivers are urged to write down the officer's name and the time and location of his or her duty in this scenario.

Where to pay LTO Violations?

You can settle with the MMDA and pay your fine in one of three methods in general. Look at them below:

Payment Methods for MMDA Fines 

• Bayad Center
• PayMaya
• Land Bank Link Biz Portal
• GCash
• Grabpay
• MMDA Traffic Management Division
• SM Bills Payment

Photos from File, Power of No, Land Transportation Office, and Dylan Afuang