Buying a car does not mean you can drive freely. Car owners in the Philippines must register at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to verify their ownership before hitting the road. If you already have a car, you should pay attention to the validity of your car registration and renew it in time, otherwise, you might be punished. In this passage, we are going to talk about LTO car registration renewal, including when to renew car registration, how to renew it, how much it costs, how long it takes, and some frequently asked questions.
What Is Car Registration in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, car registration is a mandatory process to prove that the motor vehicle is legally owned by its owners or users, after which the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of the Philippines will issue a registered plate number. A brand-new car registration usually comes with car registration provided by the dealer. After 3 years of initial registration, you should renew it at the local LTO office by yourself.
LTO Car Registration Process for New Vehicles
In the Philippines, many car dealers provide an LTO vehicle registration for 3 years for free while some charge extra fees. You can also do it on your own through the steps below.
Prepare Supporting Documents
One must prove that the car is legally purchased and secured. General requirements for brand-new locally or assembled, manufactured or imported completely built units (CBU), locally imported trailers, or electronic vehicles include:
- Original sales invoice
- Insurance certificate (original copy or electronically transmitted copy)
- PNP and HPG clearance certificate as well as special bank receipt (SBR)
- Original certificate of stock reported (CSR)
- Payment reference number
👉 When registering a brand-new motorcycle with a sidecar, you should also provide:
- Original Affidavit of Attachment for Sidecar dated and signed by the owner and the mechanic
👉 When registering a tax-exempt vehicle, you should also provide:
- Original completed Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
- Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (for used-imported vehicle)
- Certified copy of Release Certificate (for used-imported vehicle)
- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Endorsement
👉 When registering a used-imported vehicle (exempted from EOO 156/877), you should also provide:
- Photocopy of the commercial invoice or Certificate of Title in English authenticated by the Embassy
- Original completed Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
- Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (CCES)
👉 When registering a vehicle acquired through the No Dollar Importation (NDI) Program, you should also provide:
Photocopy of commercial invoice of the vehicle or Certificate of Title issued by the country of origin
- Original or certified copy of Authority Under the No Dollar Importation (Seizure Proceedings and Notice of Award as an alternative without authority)
- Original affidavit of first and last importation
- Original completed Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
- Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (CCES)
- A certified true copy of Release Certificate
👉 When registering a rebuilt truck or bus, you should also provide:
- Photocopy of commercial or sales invoice from the country of origin
- Original Affidavit of Rebuilt signed by the accredited rebuilder showing the date of completion
- Original Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR)
- Certified copy of endorsement from The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB)
- Photocopy of Certificate of Payment (for vehicle with imported parts and components)
👉 When registering a vehicle acquired through public bidding, you should also provide:
- Certified copy of the notice of award
- Certified copy of official payment receipt of the acquisition
Visit the Nearest LTO Office
You will have your car inspected there, after which you need to submit the required documents along with the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR). Please note that not all LTO offices deal with new vehicle registrations. It is suggested to consult before proceeding.
Pay for the Car Registration Fees
It costs ₱1,000 for initial registration for each category, ₱50 for each sticker and tag, ₱450 for a regular plate, and up to ₱115 for car inspection. Don’t forget your official receipt after payment.
Collect Certificate of Registration, Plates, and Stickers
Wait at the release counter until your name is called and pick up the Certificate of Registration (CR), plates, and stickers. Now you can travel in your car.
When to Renew Car Registration
The initial motor vehicle registration is valid for 3 years after which the car registration renewal should be done every year. It is recommended to do that 1 month before expiration. It is illegal to be caught driving an unregistered vehicle or one with an expired registration on the streets. In this case, your license and car will be impounded. Moreover, you have to pay a fine of Php10,000 for late registration. The longer time you miss the registration week, the more you will be fined.
Car Registration Renewal Requirements
To prevent illegal car transactions and secure safe driving, all car owners must satisfy the following requirements.
General Car Registration Renewal Requirements
- Original copy or electronic Insurance Certificate of Cover (CoC)
- Original copy of the Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC)
- Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (CR)
- Official Receipt (OR) of payment
- Completed Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
- Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TlN)
- Early warning device (may be required while having your vehicle inspected)
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Additional Car Registration Renewal Requirements
👉 For tax-exempt vehicles, please submit:
- Original Endorsement with control number
👉 For Other Exempt Vehicle (OEV) under Special Economic Zones, please submit:
- Original proof of OEV
👉 For vehicles used for rentals, please submit:
- Certified copy of the Valid Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit (MTOP) with Official Receipt
- Electronically transmitted franchised confirmation, or
- Provisional Authority (PA), or
- Petition for an extension of validity duly received by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) with Official Receipt
👉 For stolen and recovered vehicles, please submit:
- Original and photocopy of the Lifting of General Alarm
- Original and photocopy of the Report of Recovery
- Original and photocopy of the Alarm Sheet
- Original Certificate of re-stamping in case of tampered engine/chassis
- Original Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory (macro etching report) or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) report fully identifying the motor vehicle and any possible tampering on the engine or chassis
Schedule for LTO Car Registration Renewal
You cannot drive it directly to an LTO office to renew registration. When to renew car registration depends on the vehicle’s license plate number.
The last digit of your plate number decides which month of renewal while the second to the last digit determines the week of renewal. For example, if your license plate number is ABC 1234, it means you can renew the registration on any working day between April 1st to 7th.
| Last Digit of Plate Number | Month of Car Registration Renewal | Second to Last Digit of Plate Number | Date of Car Registration Renewal |
| 1 | January | 1 | First week (1st to 7th of the month) |
| 2 | February | 2 | |
| 3 | March | 3 | |
| 4 | April | 4 | Second week (8th to 14th of the month) |
| 5 | May | 5 | |
| 6 | June | 6 | |
| 7 | July | 7 | Third week (15th to 21st of the month) |
| 8 | August | 8 | |
| 9 | September | 9 | Fourth week (22nd to 30th/31st the month) |
| 0 | October | 0 |
How to Renew Car Registration in the Philippines
The registration renewal is generally the same as first-time registration which can be done in person or online.
LTO Car Registration Renewal in Person
The offline renewal process is similar to new vehicle registration supposing that your vehicle is in good condition.
- Prepare the required documents.
- Visit a nearby LTO office and submit applications.
- Pay the LTO car registration renewal fee.
- Have your vehicle inspected at an accredited private inspection center or an official one.
- Receive the motor vehicle inspection report (MVlR) and the renewal process is done.
LTO Car Registration Renewal Online
To save time waiting in line at the LTO office, the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal allows you to renew car registration online. Below is a step-by-step guidance.
- Select an insurance company and ask it to send the Certificate of Coverage (COC) electronically to the LTMS.
- Have your vehicle inspected at a Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) and the MVlR will be electronically transmitted to the LTMS.
- Sign in to the LTMS portal and start the online renewal. If you are a first-time user, create an account.
- Fulfill the payment online and the system will send a receipt to you by email.
LTO Car Registration Renewal Fee
How much is car registration renewal? The renewal fee is the same as the initial registration plus an extra renewal fee of renewal fee of ₱400 and the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) (also known as road user tax). Here is the pricelist of MVUC.
- MVUC for Private and Government Vehicles
| Category | Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | MVUC |
| Passenger Cars (Light, Medium, Heavy) | ≤1,600 kg | ₱1,600 |
| 1,601 – 2,300 kg | ₱3,600 | |
| ≥2,301 kg | ₱8,000 | |
| Utility Vehicles | ≤2,700 kg | ₱2,000 |
| 2,701 to 4,500 kg | ₱2,000 plus 0.40 per GVW over 2,700 kg | |
| Sports Utility Vehicles (for models 1991 and above) | ≤2,700 kg | ₱2,000 |
| 2,701 to 4,500 kg | ₱2,000 plus 0.46 per GVW over 2,700 kg | |
| Motorcycles | Without sidecars | ₱240 |
| With sidecars | ₱300 | |
| Trucks and Truck Buses | ≥4,501 kg | ₱1,800 plus 0.24 per GVW over 2,700 kg |
| Trailers | ≥4,501 kg | 0.24 per GVW |
- MVUC for Hire Vehicles
| Category | Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | MVUC |
| Passenger Cars (Light, Medium, Heavy) | ≤1,600 kg | ₱900 |
| 1,601 – 2,300 kg | ₱1,800 | |
| ≥2,301 kg | ₱5,000 | |
| Utility Vehicles | ≤4,500 kg | 0.30 per GVW |
| Sports Utility Vehicles (for models 1991 and above) | ≤2,700 kg | ₱2,300 |
| 2,701 to 4,500 kg | ₱2,300 plus 0.46 per GVW over 2,700 kg | |
| Motorcycles/Tricycles | / | ₱300 |
| Truck Buses | ≥4,501 kg | 0.30 per GVW |
| Trailers | 4,501 kg and above | 0.24 per GVW |
- MVUC for Aged Private Vehicles
| Category | Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | MVUC |
| Light cars (Models from 1995 to 2000) | ≤1,600 kg | ₱2,000 |
| Light cars (Models from 1994 and older) | ≤1,600 kg | ₱1,400 |
| Medium cars (Models from 1997 to 2000) | 1,601 kg – 2,300 kg | ₱6,000 |
| Medium cars (Models from 1995 and 1996) | 1,601 kg – 2,300 kg | ₱4,800 |
| Medium cars (Models from 1994) | 1,601 kg – 2,300 kg | ₱2,400 |
| Heavy cars (Models from 1995 and older) | ≥2,301 kg | ₱12,000 |
| Heavy cars (Models from 1994 and older) | ≥2,301 kg | ₱5,600 |
LTO Car Registration Renewal Time
The processing time is subject to your renewal methods. It takes a few hours to renew car registration in person. If you renew it online, it might be shortened to a few minutes.
Bonus Tips for LTO Car Registration and Renewal
LTO car registration and renewal include a series of tests and exams. Failing in any of it will lead to rejection. Here are some warm tips to help you accelerate the process.
- Obtain LTO Client ID in advance to prove registration on the LTMS portal.
- Try to be as early as possible when visiting the LTO office in case of waiting in a long line. It is suggested to arrive before 8:00 am.
- Take a pen with you, so you don’t need to look everywhere for a pen while filling out the form.
- Remember to bring your early warning device (EWD) which is a mandatory car accessory. It will take extra time if you are requested to show it at the vehicle inspection and have to go back home to get it.
- Make sure your car is in good condition so as to pass the vehicle inspection.
- Put away your documents and receipts in case of delaying the registration.
FAQ
Q1: Do I have to renew my car registration every year?
A1: Yes, but only after 3 years of initial registration.
Q2: What is the penalty for expired motorcycle registration in the Philippines?
A2: It depends on how long it has been since registration. It takes ₱100 during the registration week and ₱120 for 1 week after registration.
Q3: How much is the penalty for 3 years of late registration of car in Philippines?
A3: ₱10,000
Q4: Can I drive my new car while waiting for registration Philippines?
A4: No. It’s illegal to drive an unregistered car.
Q5: How to check if the registration of car is valid in Philippines?
A5: You can log in to LTO portal and enter the 15-digit motor vehicle (MV) number written on the top-left side of your registration certificate.
Summary
After 3 years of initial new car registration, it must be renewed every year. LTO car registration renewal is necessary, otherwise, you will be fined. The renewal process is generally the same as first registration, including car registration renewal requirements preparation, car inspection, and submitting applications in person or online. When to renew car registration depends on the last two digits of the vehicle’s license plate number. The whole process might take a few hours. We hope our bonus tips will help you.
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Dolores Xiao