Buying a car is one thing―registering it is another. Before you hit the road with your brand-new car, formalize your ownership through LTO car registration. Similarly, you need to accomplish your LTO car registration renewal if you have an existing car.
Failure to do these will result in fines and trouble with the traffic authorities.
The LTO car registration process can be quite complicated. But you can make things easier if you know where to start. Get through the system by following this step-by-step guide, which will cover the following:
Many car dealers in the Philippines offer a free three-year LTO vehicle registration for a newly purchased car, without additional cost to their customers. Car owners will then process the renewal on their own with the LTO three years after the initial motor vehicle registration.
When it comes to registrations processed by dealers, customers are now empowered by the LTO to monitor and report delays. According to a memorandum from the agency,[1] dealers are required to display the processing time of vehicle registration.
The said memorandum also breaks down the vehicle registration procedure with dealers into five steps:
Nevertheless, you can still do the legwork and register your brand-new car yourself. Below are the steps on how to register a car in LTO:
The following requirements are for the following vehicles: brand-new locally assembled, manufactured completely built units (CBU), imported CBUs, and brand-new local imported trailers. The same requirements also apply to electronic vehicles or EVs:
Remember that each type of vehicle has a set of additional requirements:
Original Affidavit of Attachment for Sidecar executed by the owner and the mechanic who attached the extension, including the date of completion
Not all LTO branches process new vehicle registrations. Below are some that do:
Note: Get in touch with the offices first through their phone number or social media pages before proceeding with your LTO car registration.
Proceed to the transaction counter and submit all required documents to the evaluator for assessment and computation of fees.
Wait for your vehicle to be inspected by an LTO officer. Submit your MVIR (Motor Vehicle Inspection Report) right after.
How much will it cost to register your car with the LTO? Here’s a quick breakdown of the fees you should expect.
Take a look at LTO’s complete list regarding other fees you may need to cover.[2]
Read more: LTO Fees for Car Registration, License Application, and Violations
Get your Certificate of Registration, plates, stickers, and other documents at the Releasing counter.
Remember that it’s necessary to register your vehicle before taking it out for a drive. LTO has a “No Registration, No Travel” policy that prohibits vehicles from traveling without a license plate. Penalties can be high, so don’t skip the LTO car registration process.
Read more: Is Your Plate Ready for Claiming? Check This LTO Plate Number Guide
You’re probably wondering, “When to renew my car registration?” Your initial LTO car registration is valid only for three years. Once it expires, you need to renew on schedule to avoid a weekly fine of ₱200. For a month's delay in payment, the fine will be 50% of the Motor Vehicle User's Charge (MVUC).
Additionally, if you get caught driving an unregistered vehicle, you’ll pay a hefty fine of ₱10,000. You’ll incur more penalties if you don’t renew your car registration right away, which is why the LTO constantly issues reminders to all vehicle owners regarding their car registration renewal.
However, you can’t simply drive to an LTO office and apply for a vehicle renewal. So how to know when to renew your car registration?
The LTO uses a plate number-based system to determine when to renew car registration in the Philippines. The last digit of your plate number corresponds to the month you need to renew your vehicle.
The second to the last digit of your plate number, on the other hand, corresponds to the weekly deadline for your car registration renewal.
If your vehicle, for example, has a plate number of 895, your renewal deadline is from the 22nd to the 31st of May.
With this scheme, you can easily plan your renewal. There shouldn’t be an excuse, as everything is dictated by your plate number.
To avoid hassles and delays, you can also renew your car registration a month before its deadline.
Also, each type of vehicle has a set of additional requirements:
Original Endorsement with control number
Original certification that proves the motor vehicle is still classified as an OEV
The LTO car registration renewal process is basically the same as when you register your car for the first time. Your vehicle just needs to go through an inspection and emission test to acquire a Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC).
Note that as per an LTO memorandum,[3] car owners no longer need to undergo engine and chassis number stenciling for plain vehicle registration renewal, provided that the vehicle passes the roadworthiness inspection and that the details on the CR match those on the vehicle.
As for the servicing LTO branch, you can renew your car registration at any LTO online district/extension office.
Don't want to have to spend long hours at the LTO office just to renew your vehicle’s registration? Good news—you can now do it online via the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal.
The process is quick and easy—online LTO registration renewal via the portal should take less than 10 minutes.[4]
Wondering, “How do I renew my LTO registration online?” Here’s what to do:
Keep in mind, however, that the LTO registration online comes with the following conditions:
The fees for LTO renewal are the same as that of the initial registration, but you also have to pay a renewal fee of ₱400.
Under Republic Act No. 8794, you also need to pay the Motor Vehicle User's Charge (MVUC), commonly known as a road user tax, when registering your car. The amount collected from MVUC will be used as funding for conducting adequate maintenance of the country’s national and provincial roads.
One of the most important requirements in the LTO car registration renewal process is the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR). Below is the inspection process for securing an MVIR.
Provide the original copy or photocopy of your Official Receipt (OR) or Certificate of Registration (CR). You also have to submit your Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or Order for Dropping and Substitution (Change Classification) if your vehicle is for hire.
Per the Department of Transportation (DoTr), the cost of a vehicle inspection should be the same as that of an emission test given by a private emission testing center. This means that the fee will depend on the testing center of your choice.[5]
An inspector will take a look at your vehicle and conduct an emission test for the inspection report. An approving officer will confirm the accuracy of the report.
Head over to the releasing clerk to accept your MVIR and returned requirements. If you fail the inspection report, you’ll be asked to correct your vehicle’s defect and return for re-inspection.
Important note: Motorists are given the option to have their vehicle inspected either by a private inspection center or by the LTO. Should you go for the former, make sure they are truly accredited and authorized by the LTO.
Manage your expectations and curb the stress of LTO car registration and renewal with the following helpful pointers:
Got more questions on LTO car registration and renewal? Check out the following before heading out:
No. If you're confused with the process and would prefer to sort everything out in person, you can still go to your preferred LTO district office.
Related reading: Driver’s License Renewal Requirements and Process in 2025
As mentioned above, the last vehicle renewal transaction must be accomplished using the LTMS. If you're new to to online registration renewal process, you'll have to head over to any LTO district office first. The next time your car is up for renewal, you can proceed on your own.
Under the agency's goal to register 2.7 million unregistered vehicles in the country, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II ordered all LTO offices to create a special "fast lane" where delinquent owners (i.e., those with expired registration for at least one year) can register their motor vehicles.[6]
No,[7] since comprehensive insurance already has TPL coverage. Remember this when renewing your vehicle registration!
Unfortunately, changing your plate number isn’t allowed. According to law, the identification and letters of any plate number of a motor vehicle are permanently assigned to the said motor vehicle during its lifetime. Change of plate number will be only accepted when there is a change of denomination/classification (e.g., change of private vehicle to rental or government vehicle to private).
Related: LTO Vanity Plate: The Pros and Cons of Customizing Your Plate Number
To check the authenticity of a secondhand vehicle’s OR/CR, just go to the LTO Property Section at East Avenue, Quezon City.
Read more: How to Transfer Car Ownership in the Philippines with the LTO
Yes. But first, you need to obtain a notarized affidavit of loss. After that, head to your originating district office and present the said affidavit. Remember that the originating district office is the LTO office where the vehicle was first registered.
You’ll also need to bring two valid IDs for identity verification. Once all the requirements are validated, the originating district office will issue you a duplicate OR/CR.
Just present the following requirements to any LTO branch:
The LTO car registration and renewal process can be quite complicated. But it’s nice to know that the bureau is taking steps to streamline the process and make it less burdensome.
For instance, the LTMS provides a channel where you can renew your car registration. You no longer need to fall in line at an LTO branch just to apply for a vehicle renewal. If it’s any consolation, this move indicates that the agency is set to revamp the traditional system.
You may still experience some inconvenience due to the complicated bureaucracy. But that is not an excuse to resort to under-the-table dealings. You don’t want to get ahead of others with an unfair advantage—you might run into legal repercussions along the way.
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