All vehicles must be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the Philippines, including motorcycles. It has to be renewed every year after first registration. In this passage, we will talk about the importance of motorcycle registration renewal, when to renew motorcycle registration, how to renew it, how much it costs, and other concerning issues.
Why Do I Need to Renew Motorcycle Registration
LTO registration renewal motorcycle is not only a legal requirement but also a guarantee of safe driving. You are supposed to renew it timely due to the following reasons.
- Prevent fines and penalties caused by expired registration.
- Ensures that the motorcycle is safe to run on the road, thus reducing accidents.
- Guarantee that the motorcycle does not violate the emission standards and do harm to the environment.
- Maintain valid insurance, thus receiving financial protection when there is an accident.
- Update yourself with all obligations and the newest traffic rules.
- Keep accurate records in the LTO system.
- Promote smooth transactions if you sell the motorcycle or change ownership.
When to Renew Motorcycle Registration
LTO registration is usually included when purchasing a new vehicle. The initial registration for motorcycles with engine displacements of up to 200 cc used to be valid for 1 year while those with an engine size higher than 200cc were 3 years. Starting from May 15, 2023, the validity of all motorcycles’ initial registration is 3 years, after which the vehicle owner must renew it annually.
When to renew a motorcycle registration depends on what the license plate number ends with. The final digit indicates the month and the second-to-last digit reveals the week for motorcycle registration renewal. Check the chart below to find out the deadline.
| Last Digit of Plate Number | Month | Second-to-the Last Digit of Plate Number | Week |
| 1 | January | 1 | Working days of the first week (1st– 7th of that month) |
| 2 | February | 2 | Working days of the first week (1st – 7th of that month) |
| 3 | March | 3 | Working days of the first week (1st– 7th of that month) |
| 4 | April | 4 | Working days of the second week (8th to 14th of that month) |
| 5 | May | 5 | Working days of the second week (8thto 14th of that month) |
| 6 | June | 6 | Working days of the second week (8th to 14th of that month) |
| 7 | July | 7 | Working days of the third week (15thto 21st of that month) |
| 8 | August | 8 | Working days of the third week (15th to 21st of that month) |
| 9 | September | 9 | Working days of the third week (22ndto the end of that month) |
| 0 | October | 0 | Working days of the third week (22nd to the end of that month) |
💡 Here is an example, supposing that your license plate is AB12345, you should renew the motor registration on May 8th and 14th. There will be a fine of ₱100 for each week overdue.
Requirements for Renewal of Motorcycle Registration
Before starting the motorcycle registration renewal, it is necessary to prepare the required documents and information in advance which are listed below.
- Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) Insurance. It could be obtained from insurance agents in LTO offices or online.
- Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN).
- Original Copy of Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC). It is issued by any Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) certified by LTO to prove compliance with the emission standards
- A photocopy of the existing Certificate of Registration (CR).
- Original official Receipt (OR) for payments for Initial Registration or a notarized Affidavit of Loss in the case of missing the original copy.
- A filled-out Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) form. It is available at the entrance of the LTO Registration Office or Private Emission Testing Center (PETC).
- Proof of payment for registration, insurance, emission testing, and other possible fees.
- A notarized letter of authorization Letter (on the condition that someone is renewing motorcycle registration on behalf of the vehicle owner).
- Extra evidence in special cases, such as name changes, vehicle modifications, etc.
How to Renew Motorcycle Registration
After preparing all the required documents, you can start the motorcycle registration renewal. Whether you are applying as an individual or an organization, online and in-person renewals are available. In this section, we will introduce a step-by-step guide for each.
Motorcycle Registration Online Renewal
LTO motorcycle registration renewal online service is only designed for plain renewal which means you are only requesting to extend the registration without any other changes to the vehicle.
- Visit the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS ), the online portal of LTO.
- Log in with your registered email and password. New users should create an account first.
- Click on the Vehicle Icon on the home page.
- Read the terms and conditions and check the box to agree to them.
- Select “Motor Vehicle” for the vehicle type and “Renewal” for “Application Type”.
- Upload scanned copies or photocopies of the required documents.
- Click on the “Proceed” button to fulfill payment. There might be an extra convenience fee depending on the payment channel.
- Click on “Proceed” to review the summary of the provided information and submit the application.
- Save the confirmation notice of your renewal application.
- Receive the official receipt (OR) in the registered email and download or print it out.
Motorcycle Registration Walk-in Renewal
Individuals are also allowed to walk into an LTO office and submit an LTO registration renewal motorcycle in person through the steps below. In-person also allows you to have a vehicle inspection on the spot. It applies to all types of applications, including ownership transfers, penalty payments, pending case settlements, or any other changes to the vehicle.
- Drive your Motorcycle to a nearby LTO branch which can be found on Google Maps or the list of LTO Offices in the Philippines.
- Provide identity documents and submit the required documents at the registration counter.
- Have your vehicle inspected and the officer will complete the inspection report.
- Pay all necessary fees at the cashier after your vehicle is secured to satisfy the requirements for renewal of motorcycle registration.
- Obtain the updated official receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR).
How to Renew Motorcycle Registration without License Plate
Sometimes your license plate remains to be issued after your motorcycle has been register. In this case, you might have no idea about when to renew your motorcycle registration. Moreover, you will fail to file the annual motorcycle registration renewal with the 15-digit MV file number which can be found beneath the plate number on the license plate, whereas you should track the date of release from the dealership. To renew motorcycle registration without a license plate, you should obtain a temporary plate number for emission compliance check and CTPL insurance according to the following steps.
- Visit an LTO-accredited PETC to ask for guidance on obtaining a temporary plate.
- Pay PHP50 to gain authorization and print the temporary plate.
- Hand in the temporary plate to the PETC staff to attach it to emission testing.
- Obtain the Certificate of Emission Compliance, CTPL, and other required documents.
- Bring all documents to an LTO office and follow the procedures for walk-in motorcycle registration renewal.
How Much to Renew Motorcycle Registration
The total motorcycle registration renewal fee consists of several parts and here is a detailed price list. Please note that the insurance fees might vary depending on the service providers.
| Types of Fees | Amount of Fees |
| Registration | ₱659.31 |
| Insurance | ₱650 |
| Emission testing | ₱400 |
| Stencil fee | ₱20 |
| Late Renewal Penalties (if applicable) | ₱100 per week |
Consequences of Not Renewing Your Motorcycle Registration
As stated before, it is legally required to renew the motorcycle registration on time. Anyone who does not renew it might face legal issues and financial loss. Here are the possible consequences.
- Severe Penalty
Individuals will be fined or charged for late registration and violating traffic rules. The longer you delay renewing, the higher the fines you have to pay. Sometimes it might reach tens of thousands of pesos.
- Vehicle Impoundment of Vehicle
The authorities have the right to seize your motorcycle if it is caught running on the road after the registration has expired. They will not return to you until you pay the fines and renew the registration with LTO.
- Legal Disputes in an Accident
There might be legal issues when an unregistered motorcycle or motorcycle with expired registration is involved in a traffic accident. Things might be worse if the accident is found to be caused by not updating the registration.
- Lack of Protection from Insurance Company
If your vehicle registration is not within the validity and it is unfortunately damaged, lost, or stolen, the insurance company might pose stricter requirements for your claim or even reject it.
- Lower Value in Resale or Transfer
A vehicle with a non-renewed registration means a higher risk of non-compliance with roadworthiness or safety issues, which makes it less attractive to customers and devalues it.
- Difficulty in Transaction with LTO
Whenever there is any change to ownership, vehicle color, engine, etc, you are supposed to update this information with LTO. However, any previous record of non-renewal will lead to a more complicated process.
FAQ
📌How long does the motorcycle registration renewal process take?
LTO motorcycle registration renewal online usually takes a few minutes to hours while in-person renewal takes a full day.
📌Can you drive a motorcycle with an expired registration?
No. It might lead to fines and penalties.
📌How to check motorcycle registration in the Philippines?
The case status can be checked on the LTMS portal or at an LTO office.
📌How early can I renew a motorcycle registration?
Up to one month before expiration.
Summary
To ensure road safety and legal compliance, it is essential to perform an LTO motorcycle registration renewal in time. When to renew motorcycle registration depends on the last two digits of the license plate. It is suggested to renew it up to one month before expiration. Just choose online or in-person renewal according to where you are and the condition of your vehicle.