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LTO Motor Vehicle Registration & Renewal: Requirements, Fees, & Process

LTO Motor Vehicle Registration & Renewal: Requirements, Fees, & Process

Apart from learning how to drive and getting your driver's license, it is also a must to register your vehicle with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Why is LTO vehicle registration important?

    If your vehicle is registered, it will be easier for the LTO to track the car and identify you as the owner in case it gets lost or gets involved in an accident. Vehicle registration also guarantees that the cars they authorize into our roads are safe to drive. It also prevents illegal vehicle ownership.

  • Why is LTO vehicle registration renewal important?

    Considering that the vehicle's condition can change over time, the LTO registration must be renewed. It will be determined if the car is still safe to drive before getting renewed.

    • If you have already registered your vehicle, you must still make sure to renew your registration with the LTO. Penalties will await you if you fail to do so.

    Why are vehicle registration and renewal of registration important?

    If your vehicle is registered, it will be easier for the LTO to track the car and identify you as the owner in case it gets lost or gets involved in an accident.

    In addition, vehicle registration guarantees that the cars they authorize into our roads are safe to drive, helping reduce car accidents caused by subpar vehicles. It also prevents illegal vehicle ownership.

    Considering that the vehicle's condition can change over time, the LTO registration must be renewed. It will be determined if the car is still safe to drive before getting renewed.

    How to register new vehicles

    Here in the Philippines, many dealers offer a free three-year LTO vehicle registration for a brand-new car. After the first three years of LTO registration, the owner of the vehicle should process the renewal on their own.

    Car buyers are now given the authority by the LTO to monitor and report delays for registrations handled by dealers. Dealers must present the processing time of the vehicle registration, according to a memorandum issued by the LTO.

    The memorandum also enumerates the steps that must be followed if the dealer processes the LTO registration:

    1. The customer buys the car.
    2. The dealer must complete the necessary procedure in two to three days.
    3. The dealer must report the sale and the initial registration process in one to two days.
    4. The LTO registers the vehicle and issues the Certificate of Registration, as well as the license plate number.
    5. The dealer gets in touch with the car owner to schedule the acquisition of their OR/CR and license plate in one to two days.

    Also read: Can you drive your brand-new car without an OR/CR?

    If you will register your new vehicle on your own, follow these steps:

    1. Complete the requirements

    Here are the requirements that you need to submit to the LTO for new vehicle registration:

    Vehicle Type

    Requirements

    Brand-new locally assembled completely built units
    • Sales invoice
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate

    Brand-new imported completely built units
    • Sales invoice from the country of origin
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate

    Brand-new trailers
    • Sales invoice from the country of origin
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate

    Tax-exempt vehicles
    • Sales invoice or Certificate of Title from the country of origin
    • Bureau of Customs Certificate of Payment
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Tax Exemption Certificate
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report if the unit is imported and second-hand
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards if the unit is imported and second-hand

    Imported second-hand vehicle exempted from Executive Order No. 877-A, s.2010
    • Sales invoice or Certificate of Title from the country of origin
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards

    Second-hand vehicles from no-dollar importation
    • Sales invoice or Certificate of Title from the country of origin
    • Certified True Copy of Authority under No-Dollar Importation issued by Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Import Services
    • Seizure proceedings and Notice of Award (if no authority from Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Import Services)
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards

    Imported vehicles from donation
    • Sales invoice or Certificate of Title from the country of origin
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Deed of Donation
    • Secretary’s Certificate/Board of Resolution (if donor is corporation)
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards

    Locally assembled electric vehicles
    • Sales invoice
    • Certificate of Stock Reported (electric motor and chassis)
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate

    Brand-new motorcycles with sidecars
    • Sales invoice
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Affidavit of Attachment for Sidecar
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate

    Vehicles reassembled with local body and a used imported engine
    • Sales invoice of body, chassis, and engine
    • Certificate of Stock Reported for chassis and engine
    • Affidavit of Rebuilt
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards

    Vehicles reassembled with chassis or body from previously registered cars
    • Sales invoice of body
    • Affidavit of Rebuilt
    • Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt of registration fees of the engine or chassis
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards

    Reassembled trucks or buses with new or used imported engines or chassis
    • Sales invoice from the country of origin
    • Sales invoice of body
    • Certificate of Stock Reported for chassis and engine
    • Affidavit of Rebuilt
    • Endorsement from Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Import Services
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard

    Reassembled trucks or buses with new or used imported engines or chassis and a previously registered part
    • Sales invoice of body
    • Certificate of Stock Reported for chassis and engine
    • Affidavit of Rebuilt
    • Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt of registration fees of the engine or chassis
    • Endorsement from Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Import Services
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard

    Reassembled trucks or buses with chassis acquired locally or from previously registered vehicles
    • Sales invoice of body
    • Certificate of Stock Reported for chassis and engine
    • Affidavit of Rebuilt
    • Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt of registration fees of the engine or chassis
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard

    Imported vehicles purchased through public bidding
    • Bureau of Customs official receipt
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Notice of Award
    • Decision on Seizure Proceedings
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard

    Vehicles under bond
    • Certificate of Title or commercial invoice from the country of origin
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Certificate of Payment from Bureau of Customs
    • Re-export Bond approved by Bureau of Customs
    • Release of the vehicle authorized by the Commissioner
    • Bill of Lading
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard

    Vehicles under written commitment
    • Certificate of Title or commercial invoice from the country of origin
    • Certificate of Stock Reported
    • Certificate of Payment from Bureau of Customs
    • Re-export Bond approved by Bureau of Customs
    • Release of the vehicle authorized by the Commissioner
    • Endorsement from Department of Foreign Affairs for embassy-owned vehicles
    • Bill of Lading
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group Clearance Certificate
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard

    2. Go to your local LTO branch.

    Take note that not all LTO branches process registration of new vehicles.

    3. Submit the requirements.

    Go to the transaction counter and submit the requirements so they may assess and compute the fees.

    4. Submit the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report

    An LTO officer will inspect your car. Submit the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report afterward.

    5. Pay the vehicle registration fees.

    Here are the fees you should expect:

    • Initial Fee - P1,000 per category
    • Stickers and tags - P50 each
    • Regular plate - P450

    6. Get your license plates, stickers, and Certificate of Registration.

    You may claim your license plates, stickers, Certificate of Registration, and other documentation at the releasing counter.

    Keep in mind that registering your car is required before you drive it. The “No Registration, No Travel” policy of the LTO bans the operation of any vehicle without a license plate. Never skip the LTO vehicle registration process to avoid serious penalties.

    How to renew the registration of a vehicle

    The initial LTO vehicle registration is only valid for three years. You must renew it on time to avoid paying a weekly fine of P200.

    A plate number-based system is followed by the LTO to determine when to renew the vehicle registration. The month you need to renew your vehicle is represented by the last digit of your license plate number.

    Month

    Last Digit of Plate Number

    January

    1

    February

    2

    March

    3

    April

    4

    May

    5

    June

    6

    July

    7

    August

    8

    September

    9

    October

    0

    Meanwhile, the second-to-the-last digit of your license plate number pertains to the week by which you must renew your vehicle's registration.

    Week

    Second-to-the-Last Digit of Plate Number

    1st to 7th working day

    1, 2, and 3

    8th to 14th working day

    4, 5, and 6

    15th to 21st working day

    7 and 8

    22nd to the last working day

    9 and 0

    Here are the general requirements for the renewal of vehicle registration:

    • LTO copy or electronically transmitted Insurance Certificate of Cover (Third Party Liability)
    • Certificate of Emission Compliance
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Early warning device

    Each vehicle type also has a particular set of additional required documents.

    Vehicle Type

    Requirements

    Private vehicles
    • Photocopy of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt
    • Taxpayer’s Identification Number
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover

    Vehicles for hire
    • Photocopy of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt
    • Confirmation of Franchise from LTFRB
    • Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit (for tricycles)
    • Taxpayer’s Identification Number
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover

    Government vehicles
    • Photocopy of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt
    • Taxpayer’s Identification Number
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover

    Diplomatic vehicles
    • Photocopy of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt
    • Endorsement from the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Protocol
    • Taxpayer’s Identification Number
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover

    Other exempt motor vehicles (OEV)

    (Vehicles from Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Clark Development Corporation, and Cagayan Export Zone Authority)
    • Photocopy of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt
    • Taxpayer’s Identification Number
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Certificate from Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Clark Development Corporation, or Cagayan Export Zone Authority

    Stolen and recovered vehicles
    • Photocopy of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt
    • Taxpayer’s Identification Number
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
    • Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard
    • Insurance Certificate of Cover
    • Confirmation of Franchise from LTFRB (for vehicles for hire) or Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit (for tricycles)
    • Endorsement from the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Protocol (for diplomatic vehicles)
    • Certificate from Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority or Clark Development Corporation (for OEVs)

    The LTO renewal fees are the same as those for initial registration, but there is an additional P400 renewal fee.

    How to renew vehicle registration online

    See our detailed guide here.

    What happens if you fail to register or renew your vehicle?

    If you are caught driving an unregistered car, there will be a fine of up to P10,000.

    If you are caught driving a vehicle that is unregistered for more than a month, they will impound your car until you register it and pay the fines you have accrued for driving it.

    The fine for driving an unregistered car may vary depending on the vehicle type, how long the vehicle has been unregistered, and whether you have committed any traffic violation or not.

    If you have not been apprehended for a traffic violation and have not registered your car for more than a year, the fine is often equal to 50% of your Motor Vehicle User's Charge (MVUC) plus the registration fee.

    Also read: Driving out? Remember these LTO violations and fines first

    If you have a traffic violation, you must pay 50% of the MVUC plus the registration for each year you failed to register.

    What is Motor Vehicle User’s Charge?

    MVUC is determined by the gross vehicle mass (GWM) and the classification. Different MVUC is charged for cars registered in 2000 or earlier.

    Here are the MVUCs for aged private vehicles:

    (Note: A light vehicle is a passenger car with a GVM of up to 1,600 kilos, a medium vehicle has a GVM of 1,601 to 2,300 kilos, and a heavy vehicle has a GVM of 2,301 kilos or more.)

    Category

    Model Year

    MVUC

    Light vehicle

    1995 to 2000

    P2,000

    1994 and older

    P1,400

    Medium vehicle

    1997 to 2000

    P6,000

    1995 to 1996

    P4,800

    1994 and older

    P2,400

    Heavy vehicle

    1995 to 2000

    P12,000

    1994 and older

    P5,600

    Here are the MVUCs for private and government vehicles:

    Vehicle Type

    MVUC

    Light vehicle

    P1,600

    Medium vehicle

    P3,600

    Heavy vehicle

    P8,000

    Utility vehicle (GVM: 2,700 kilos and below)

    P2,000

    Utility vehicle (GVM: 2,700 to 4,500 kilos)

    P2,000 + (P0.40 x GVM in excess of 2,700 kilos)

    SUV (GVM: 2,700 kilos and below)

    P2,000

    SUV (GVM: 2,701 to 4,500 kilos)

    P2,000 + (P0.46 x GVM in excess of 2,700 kilos)

    Motorcycle without sidecars

    P240

    Motorcycle with sidecars

    P300

    Truck and truck bus (GVM: 4,501 kilos and above)

    P1,800 + (P0.24 x GVM in excess of 2,700 kilos)

    Trailer (GVM: 4,501 kilos and above)

    P0.24 x GVM

    Here are the MVUCs for vehicles for hire:

    Vehicle Type

    MVUC

    Light vehicle

    P900

    Medium vehicle

    P1,800

    Heavy vehicle

    P5,000

    Utility vehicle (GVM: 2,700 to 4,500 kilos)

    P0.30 x GVM

    SUV (GVM: 2,700 kilos and below)

    P2,300

    SUV (GVM: 2,701 to 4,500 kilos)

    P2,300 + (P0.46 x GVM in excess of 2,700 kilos)

    Motorcycle

    P300

    Truck and truck bus (GVM: 4,501 kilos and above)

    P0.30 x GVM

    Trailer (GVM: 4,501 kilos and above)

    P0.24 x GVM

    Other fees

    Here are the other charges and fees you need to know about:

    • Annotation of mortgage, attachment and other encumbrances or cancellation - P30
    • Change classification - P30
    • Change body design - P100
    • Change color - P30
    • Change engine - P30
    • Change chassis - P30
    • Change tire size - P30
    • Change denomination - P30
    • Change of venue of vehicle registration - P100
    • Change to GVM - P30
    • Deed of assignment fee - P100
    • Late transfer penalty - P150 per transfer
    • Confirmation, certification, or clearance fee - P30
    • Duplicate copy of Official Receipt or Certificate of Registration - P30
    • Transfer of vehicle ownership - P50 per transfer
    • Revision of record - P30
    • Storage fee - P45
    • Replacement of validation stickers - P200

    Photos from Land Transportation Office, Kent Flores, House of Investments, Roy Robles, and Metro Manila Development Authority

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