Complete Guide to LTO Car Registration and Renewal
So you got a new vehicle, a sedan, or maybe a top of the line SUV… Congratulations! Before testing out your ride, you need to make your ownership formal with the LTO (Land Transportation Office). How? By going through the LTO car registration process.
What if you already did? Then your registration has probably expired and you’re due for renewal. Car registration and renewal are essential in the Philippines and the LTO is the agency responsible for it. Get through the tedious system with the following step-by-step guides.
LTO Car Registration and Renewal Online During GCQ
Do you have an expired LTO registration? To avoid direct contact and possible COVID-19 transmissions, the Land Transportation Office recently launched the LTO online portal amid the community quarantine.
Motorists may now use portal.lto.gov.ph to ease “car registration and license application procedures, which may take some time and may necessitate close contact with other people — violating physical distancing protocols” according to LTO in a statement.
This LTO online service has been made available for vehicles and licenses registered in Metro Manila, Laoag, Bayombong, Roxas, Tagbuilaran, Dumaguete, Ormoc, Butuan, Pagadian, Malaybalay, Lipa, Calapan, Naga, Tagum, Davao, General Santos, and Baguio.
Cashless payments are also available in the online portal.
How to Use the LTO Online Portal
Register as a client in the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) public portal.
Set an LTO online appointment at your preferred LTO branch.
Pay your fees online for either car registration, driver’s license, car registration renewal, or motor vehicle inspection services. LTO fines can be paid here as well.
Read more: How to Use the LTO Online Portal: A Guide for Motorists in the Philippines
LTO Car Registration Process for New Vehicles
Many new car owners let their dealers handle the processing of their LTO car registration. But this, of course, comes with a price. If you want to save money, do the legwork and register your brand new car on your own. Below are the steps on how to register your car with the LTO.
Step 1: Prepare the required documents
The following requirements are for brand new cars with the following conditions: Local, Imported, Registration of Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) (AO-2006-01), Registration of Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV), Three Wheeled Vehicle, Tax Exempt.
Original Sales Invoice
Appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover
Original Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR)
Original PNP-HPG MV Clearance Certificate
Tax Identification ID
Requirements for vehicles purchased outside of the Philippines:
Commercial Invoice of MV issued by the country of origin
Bill of Lading
BOC Certificate of Payment
Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR)
Sales Invoice of the MV
PNP-TMG MV Clearance Certificate
Duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
Appropriate insurance certificate cover
Valid Certificate of Public Convenience duly confirmed by the LTFRB, in case of for hire MV’s
Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)
Step 2: Visit an LTO office near you
Not all LTO branches process new vehicle registration. Below are the branches that do.
LTO Branches for Car Registration | Address | Contact Number |
---|---|---|
Makati LTO | Butel Building, 9624 Pililla, Makati City | 8895-8678 or 8897-5198 |
Diliman District Office LTO | Main Compoint, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City | 8723-7740 or 8921-9017 |
Pasay District Office LTO | Domestic Road, Pasay City | 8834-2471 |
LTO NCR | San Roque, Cubao, Quezon City | 84480-6524 or 8356-0708 |
Navotas LTO | Gen. Gas Plant Building, Fishport Complex, North Bay, Navotas City | 8283-3510 |
Mandaluyong LTO | 121 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City | 8523-2726 |
Step 3: Submit all required documents
Proceed to the transaction counter and submit all required documents to the evaluator for assessment and computation of fees.
Step 4: Submit your MVIR
Wait for your vehicle to be inspected by an LTO officer. Submit your MVIR (Motor Vehicle Inspection Report) right after.
Step 5: Pay the following car registration fees
How much will it cost to register your car with the LTO? Here’s a quick breakdown of the fees you should expect.
Initial fee: PHP 1,000/category
Stickers and tags: PHP 50 each
Regular plate: PHP 450
Tip for the stencil aide: PHP 50 – PHP 100 (since stenciling aren’t performed by LTO employees)
Your actual cost will vary on your car while your final cost will depend on your evaluator.
Read more: Full List of LTO Fees: How Much to Prepare for LTO Transactions
Step 6: Receive your Certificate of Registration, plates, and stickers.
Get your certificate of registration, plates, stickers, and other documents at the releasing counter.
Remember that it is necessary to register your vehicle before taking it out for a drive. LTO has a “No Registration, No Travel” policy[1] that prohibits vehicles from traveling without a license plate. Penalties can go as high as PHP 5,000 so don’t skip the LTO car registration process.
LTO Car Registration Renewal Process
Instagram photo by @kitoysdb
Your LTO car registration is only valid for three (3) years. Once it expires, you need to renew on schedule to avoid a weekly fine of PHP 200. However, you can’t just drive to an LTO office and file for renewal. There’s a way to determine your registration schedule and it all depends on your license plate.
LTO Car Registration Schedule
The last digit on your plate number corresponds to the month you need to renew your vehicle.
Month | Last Digit of Your Plate Number |
---|---|
January | 1 |
February | 2 |
March | 3 |
April | 4 |
May | 5 |
June | 6 |
July | 7 |
August | 8 |
September | 9 |
October | 0 |
The second to the last digit of your plate number, on the other hand, corresponds to the weekly deadline of your car registration renewal.
WEEK | LAST DIGIT OF YOUR PLATE NUMBER |
---|---|
1st to 7th working day | 1,2,3 |
8th to 14th working day | 4,5,6 |
15th to 21th working day | 7,8 |
22nd to the last working day | 9,0 |
If your vehicle, for example, has a plate number of 895, your renewal deadline is from the 22nd to 31st of May. Note that you can renew your car registration a month before its deadline.
LTO Renewal Requirements
Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (COR) and its official receipt of payment
Appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover (COC)
Duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC)
Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)
The LTO renewal process is basically the same as when you register your car for the first time. Your vehicle just need to go through an inspection and emission test to acquire a CEC.
As for the serving LTO branch, you can renew your car registration at any LTO online district/extension office[2].
LTO Renewal Fees
The fees for LTO renewal is the same as the initial registration except that you have to pay a renewal fee of PHP 400.
Read more: LTO License Plate Release Updates for Car Owners
LTO Inspection Process for MVIR
One of the most important requirements in the LTO car registration and renewal process is the MVIR or Motor Vehicle Inspection Report. Below is the inspection process in securing an MVIR.
Step 1: Submit your requirements to the LTO receiving clerk
Provide the original copy or photocopy of your Official Receipt (OR) or Certificate of Registration (CR). You would also have to submit your Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or Order for Dropping and Substitution (Change Classification) if your vehicle is for hire.
Step 2: Pay the corresponding fees
The fee for the inspection process varies per LTO branch.
Step 3: Vehicle inspection
An inspector will take a look at your vehicle and will conduct an emission test for the inspection report. An approving officer will confirm the accuracy of the report.
Step 4: Receive your inspection report and requirements
Head over to the releasing clerk to accept your MVIR and returned requirements. If you failed the inspection report, you will be asked to correct your vehicle’s defect and return for reinspection.
The same process goes for LTO district offices, expect for the ocular inspection.
Read more: LTO Violations Every Motorist Should Take Note Of
LTO Car Registration and Renewal Tips
Be early. It’s best to come before 8:00 AM to avoid long lines.
Don’t forget to bring your early warning device.
Prepare loose change for the photocopier.
Bring a book or an entertainment device to pass time.
Keep your car in good running condition to prepare it for inspection.
Hold on to your documents and receipts to avoid delaying the process.
Avoid fixers or LTO officers.
Read more: 12 Tips for a Quick and Stress-Free Driver’s License Renewal
Final Thoughts
The LTO car registration and renewal process can be a walk in the park if you know what you need and what to accomplish. Be prepared and remain patient even if such processes take some time. After all, they are both part of being a car owner.
Read more of our LTO articles
LTO Exams: What You Need to Know Before Taking the Driving Tests
LTO Vanity Plate: Pros and Cons of Customizing Your Plate Number
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Sources:
[1] LTO: No OR/CR, no travel policy still in effect (Subido, 2017)
[2] LTO Directory
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