LTO Car Registration Renewal: Ultimate Guide 2023 (2024)

Buying a car is one thing―registering it is another. Before you hit the road with your brand-new car, formalize your ownership through the LTO car registration. Similarly, you need to accomplish your LTO car registration renewal if you have an existing car. Failure to do these things will result in fines and trouble with the traffic authorities.

We understand that 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:

• New car registration
• Renewal of registration (including registration via the LTMS or Land Transportation Management System)

LTO Car Registration Process for New Vehicles

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, 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:

1. The owner purchases the vehicle.
2. Within two to three days, the dealer should process the requirements.
3. The dealer should report the sale and initial registration process in one to two days.
4. The LTO will register the purchased vehicle and release the license plate number and the Certificate of Registration.
5. The car dealer will then contact the new vehicle owner to claim their OR/CR and license plate in one to two days.

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.

Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents

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.

• Original sales invoice
• Original LTO copy or electronically transmitted appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover (Third Party Liability)
• Original Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR)
• Original PNP-HPG MV Clearance Certificate and Special Bank Receipt (SBR)
• Payment Reference Number if payment is made through e-PAT

Remember that each type of vehicle has a set of additional requirements.

👉 Additional Requirement for Brand-New Motorcycle with Sidecar

Original Affidavit of Attachment for sidecar executed by the owner and the mechanic who attached the extension. This document should include the date of completion.

👉 Additional Requirements for Tax-Exempt Vehicles

• Original duly accomplished Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
• Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (CCES) if the unit is used-imported
• Certified true copy of Release Certificate if the unit is used-imported
• DFA Endorsem*nt

👉 Additional Requirements for Used-Imported Vehicles (Exempted from EOO 156/877)

• Photocopy of the commercial invoice or Certificate of Title with English translation authenticated by the Embassy
• Original duly accomplished Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
• Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (CCES)

👉 Additional Requirements for Vehicles Acquired Through the No Dollar Importation (NDI) Program

• Photocopy of commercial invoice of the vehicle or Certificate of Title issued by the country of origin
• Original or certified true copy of Authority Under the No Dollar Importation. If there’s no authority, Seizure Proceedings and Notice of Award will suffice
• Original affidavit of first and last importation
• Original duly accomplished Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
• Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (CCES)
• Certified true copy of Release Certificate

👉 Additional Requirements for Rebuilt Trucks and Buses (With New or Used Imported Engine and/or Chassis)

• Photocopy of commercial/sales invoice from the country of origin
• Original Affidavit of Rebuilt executed by the accredited rebuilder with the date of completion
• Original Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR) of the rebuilt vehicle
• Certified true copy of endorsem*nt from DTI-FTEB
• Photocopy of Certificate of Payment in case the vehicle’s parts and components are imported

👉 Additional Requirements for Vehicles Acquired Through Public Bidding

• Certified true copy of the Notice of Award
• Certified true copy of Official Receipt proving the payment of acquisition cost

Step 2: Visit an LTO Office Near You

Not all LTO branches process new vehicle registration. 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.

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 for the 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: ₱1,000/category
• Stickers and tags: ₱50 each
• Regular plate: ₱450

Take a look at LTO’s complete list regarding other fees you may need to cover.^[1]

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’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: How to Check if Your LTO Plate Number is Finally Available

LTO Renewal Process for Existing Vehicles

You’re probably wondering, “When to renew 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.

What’s the Schedule for LTO Car Registration Renewal?

You can’t simply drive to an LTO office and apply for a vehicle renewal. Wondering 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. You can renew your car registration a month before its deadline.

With this scheduling 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 renew your car registration a month before its deadline.

General Requirements

• Original LTO copy or electronically transmitted appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover (Third Party Liability)
• Duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
• Original Copy of Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC)
• Early warning device (may be required during vehicle inspection)

Also, each type of vehicle has a set of additional requirements.

👉 Additional Requirement for Tax-Exempt Vehicle

Original Endorsem*nt with control number

👉 Additional Requirement for Other Exempt Vehicle (OEV) under Special Economic Zones

Original certification that proves the motor vehicle is still classified as an OEV

👉 Additional Requirements for Vehicles Used for Rentals (For Hire Units)

• Electronically transmitted franchised confirmation or Provisional Authority (PA) or petition for an extension of validity duly received by the LTFRB with OR
• Certified copy of the Valid Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit (MTOP) with Official Receipt

👉 Additional Requirements for Stolen and Recovered Vehicles

• Presentation of the original and submission of a photocopy of the Lifting of General Alarm
• Presentation of the original and submission of a photocopy of the Report of Recovery
• Presentation of the original and submission of a photocopy of the Alarm Sheet
• Original Certificate of re-stamping in case of tampered engine/chassis
• Original PNP Crime Laboratory (macro etching report) or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) report fully identifying the motor vehicle and stating therein the tampering done on the engine or chassis, if any

LTO Car Registration Renewal Process in the Philippines

How to renew car registration in LTO? The LTO car registration renewal process is practically 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).

As for the servicing LTO branch, you can renew your car registration at any LTO online district/extension office.

LTO Renewal Fees

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.

💸 MVUC for Private and Government Vehicles

💸 MVUC for Hire Vehicles

💸 MVUC for Aged Private Vehicles

For reference, here’s how the LTO classifies aged private vehicles:

How to Do LTO Car Registration Renewal Online

Finally, you don’t have to spend long hours at the LTO office to renew your vehicle’s registration. You can now do it online via the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal.

The process is quick and easy. LTO Chief Arturo Tugade even said that online LTO registration renewal via the portal will take less than 10 minutes.^[3]

Here’s what to do if you’re wondering, “How do I renew my LTO registration online?”

1. Get a Certificate of Coverage (COC) from the insurance company of your choice. The said insurance company will then electronically transmit the COC to the LTMS.
2. Bring your vehicle to a Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) to check its roadworthiness. The PMVIC will then electronically transmit the inspection report to the LTMS.
3. Log in to the LTMS portal to start the online renewal registration of your vehicle. You don’t have to input the COC and PMVIC details anymore, as they’re already encoded in the form.
4. Pay the fees online. The system will then generate a receipt and send it to your email.
5. Congratulations, your vehicle registration is renewed!

Keep in mind, however, that the LTO registration online comes with the following conditions:

• The LTO registration renewal online is only applicable to plain renewals.
• Client should be an individual or a member of an organization with an account in the LTO portal for car registration.
• The last vehicle renewal transaction must be accomplished using the LTMS.
• The vehicle due for renewal must be linked to the registered LTMS account.
• The vehicle owner registered in the Certificate of Registration should be the current owner.
• The Certificate of Coverage (insurance) must be validated and transmitted by the Insurance Commission.
• As noted in the procedure, the inspection report must be issued by the PMVIC.
• The details of the vehicle must be updated to include the latest plate issuance.

LTO Inspection Process for MVIR

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.

Step 1: Submit Your Documents to the LTO Receiving Clerk

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.

Step 2: Pay the Corresponding Fees

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.^[2]

Step 3: Undergo Vehicle Inspection

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.

Step 4: Receive Your Inspection Report and Requirements

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.

LTO Car Registration and Renewal Tips

LTO car registration and renewal can take some time. Manage your expectations and curb the stress with the following helpful pointers:

• Before you go to any LTO branch, make sure you have an LTO Client ID as proof that you've successfully registered to the LTMS public portal. Note that using the LTO portal for car registration is free of charge, so don’t engage with anyone offering to do it for you for a fee.
• Be early. It’s best to come before 8:00 AM to avoid long lines. Note that some applicants go to the LTO as early as six in the morning.
• Don’t forget to bring your early warning device (EWD). The EWD is a mandatory car accessory (except for motorcycles and tricycles), and you might be asked to show it during your vehicle inspection.
• 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 individuals impersonating or claiming to be LTO officers. Otherwise, you may face legal repercussions.
• Prepare loose change for the photocopier.
• Bring your own pen.
• Bring a book or an entertainment device to pass time.

LTO Car Registration and Renewal FAQs

Got some questions on LTO car registration and renewal? Check out the following before heading out:

1. Is it possible to change my plate number?

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).

2. I want to check if the OR/CR of the secondhand vehicle I want to buy is authentic. How do I do it?

To check the authenticity of a secondhand vehicle’s OR/CR, just go to the LTO Property Section at East Avenue, Quezon City.

3. Is it possible to get a duplicate OR/CR in case I lose my own copy?

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.

4. I need to get a replacement for my lost sticker and a duplicate plate. What should I do?

Just present the following requirements to the LTO:

• Original copy of Affidavit of Loss/Mutilation
• Original CR or Certified True Copy of CR
• Original OR of late payment of MVUC and other fees or Certified True Copy of OR
• Proof of Payment (OR) for the cost of the replacement plate, duplicate plate, or lost sticker
• Approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
• For sole proprietorship, Secretary’s Certificate in case the vehicle is in the name of a corporation or DTI certificate
• For Rentals (For Hire vehicles), certification from LTFRB proving that plates haven’t been surrendered
• PNP-HPG clearance

Related reading: Applying for Your Driver’s License Renewal? Read This Guide First

Final Thoughts

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. Take the right route to avoid legal repercussions. After all, you don’t want to get ahead of others with an unfair advantage.

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Sources:

• ^[1] LTO Schedule of Motor Vehicle User’s Charge and Other Fees and Charges
• ^[2] Motor Vehicle Inspection Mandatory Before Renewal of Registration (Manila Times, 2021)
• ^[3] New LTO System Makes Car Registration Renewal a Breeze (The Manila Times, 2023)