List of LTO Fees in the Philippines for 2023

Driving your own car has a lot of benefits, that’s for sure. But transactions with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) usually come with fees―whether for vehicle registration, driver’s license application or renewal, or settling a traffic rule violation. Learning about LTO fees is a reality every car owner in the Philippines must deal with.

But what’s worse than parting with your money is getting shocked by the amount you need to pay at the LTO office. Unpleasant surprises like this can be avoided if you know the exact LTO fees that you’ll be charged beforehand. This will also save you from enduring long queues and slower payment processes.

Before you head out to the nearest LTO branch, take note of these LTO fees first.

How Much are LTO Car Registration Fees in the Philippines?

📌 Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC)

What is MVUC?

When you register your car, the motor vehicle user’s charge is one of the LTO fees you're required to pay. The MVUC is also called the road user tax.

A component of the Philippine government's tax reform program under Republic Act 8794,^[1] the MVUC collected from vehicle owners in the Philippines is used for financing the maintenance of national and provincial roads, as well as addressing air pollution from vehicles.

The Department of Finance (DOF) proposed to increase the MVUC for funding the government's road infrastructure projects.^[2] The proposal pushes for a yearly increase in all MVUC fees from 2023 onwards.

According to the DOF, the current MVUC fees have been collected since 2004. In the past 14 years, these LTO fees have not been adjusted for inflation, thus justifying the increase in the road users' tax.

MUVC Fee for LTO Car Registration Renewal in 2023

Meanwhile, while the increased rates have not been approved or implemented yet, it pays to know the current MVUC for your specific car type and gross weight.

Here are the MVUC fees as of 2023 for private cars in the Philippines. For starters, the motorcycle registration fee is ₱240 (₱300 if it has a sidecar).

Vehicle Type	Gross Weight	MVUC
Light passenger cars	Up to 1,600 kg	₱1,600
Medium passenger cars	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	₱3,600
Heavy passenger cars	2,301 kg and above	₱8,000
Utility vehicles	Up to 2,700 kg	₱2,000
Utility vehicles	2,701 kg to 4,500 kg	₱2,000 + 0.40 x gross weight in excess of 2,700 kg
SUVs (1991 models and above)	Up to 2,700 kg	₱2,300
SUVs (1991 models and above)	2,701 kg to 4,500 kg	₱2,300 + 0.46 x gross weight in excess of 2,700 kg
Motorcycles without sidecar	N/A	₱240
Motorcycles with sidecar	N/A	₱300
Trucks	4,501 kg and above	₱1,800 + 0.24 x gross weight in excess of 2700 kg
Trailers	4,501 kg and above	0.24 x gross vehicle weight

MUVC Fee for Old Private Cars in 2023

LTO charges a different set of MVUC rates for aged private cars (model year 2000 and older):

Vehicle Type	Gross Weight	MVUC
Light passenger cars (1995-2000 models)	Up to 1,600 kg	₱2,000
Light passenger cars (1994 and older models)	Up to 1,600 kg	₱1,400
Medium passenger cars (1997-2000 models)	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	₱6,000
Medium passenger cars (1995 and 1996 models)	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	₱4,800
Medium passenger cars (1994 and older models)	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	₱2,400
Heavy passenger cars (1995-2000 models)	2,301 kg and above	₱12,000
Heavy passenger cars (1994 and older models)	2,301 kg and above	₱5,600

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MVUC Fee for Electric Vehicles

The LTO has guidelines for the classification, operation, and registration of electric vehicles in the Philippines.^[3]

Below is a table of LTO registration fees every e-vehicle owner and driver should know about.

Electric Vehicles	Description	MVUC Rate
Category L2b	Maximum speed of 25-50 kilometers per hour Driver's license and vehicle registration required Helmet required	₱240 - same as motorcycle without sidecar
Category L3	e-Motorcycles Drivers should wear motorcycle safety gear Should have a valid driver's license	₱240 - same as motorcycle without sidecar
Category L4	e-Tricycle Three-wheeled vehicle Helmet is not required	₱300 - same as motorcycle with sidecar
Category L5	e-Tricycle Three-wheeled vehicle Helmet is not required	₱1,600 - similar to light passenger cars
Category L6	e-QUAD Can travel on national highways but limited to the outermost lane of the road	₱1,600 - similar to light passenger cars
Category L7	e-QUAD Can travel on national highways but limited to the outermost lane of the road	₱1,600 - similar to light passenger cars
Category M1	e-Car, e-SUV	Similar to conventional counterparts
Category M2	e-Utility Vehicle, e-Jeepney	Similar to conventional counterparts
Category M3	e-Bus	Similar to conventional counterparts
Categories N1, N2, N3	e-truck	Similar to conventional counterparts

If the proposal to exempt or reduce the MVUC fee for EVs^[4] would be approved, that would translate to even more savings for you as an e-vehicle owner. According to the Department of Energy, it would study the said proposal, which might be incorporated into the implementing rules and regulations of the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act.

📌 Other LTO Fees for Car Registration

In addition to the MVUC, other LTO fees can raise the total payment for your car registration.

For example, there’s a separate fee for the license plate. Even changing certain parts of your vehicle and the location of your vehicle registration can incur an LTO fee.

LTO Fee	Amount
Private motor vehicle inspection center (MVIC) fee	Vehicles with gross weight equal to or less than 4,500 kg: ₱1,800 Motorcycles: ₱600
Legal research fund	₱10
Computer fee	₱67.63
Examination fee	₱100
Regular vehicle license plate	₱450
Motorcycle license plate	₱120
Cost of sticker	₱50
License plate duplication/replacement	₱450
Vanity plate	Select Edition: ₱10,000 Premium Edition: ₱15,000
Change classification/chassis/color/engine/tire size	₱30
Change body design	₱100
Change of venue of vehicle registration	₱ 100
Revision of gross vehicle weight	₱ 30
Transfer of vehicle ownership	₱50 per transfer

📌 LTO Penalty Fees for Late Registration

You’ll be paying more if you register your vehicle past the LTO’s deadline. Here's a list of penalty fees for expired registration:

Delinquent Vehicle Registration	Penalty Fee
Beyond the registration week (based on the middle digit of plate number)	Vehicles: ₱200 Motorcycles: ₱100
Beyond the registration month but not more than 12 months (based on the last digit of plate number)	50% of the MVUC rate
Beyond 12 months without apprehension for LTO violations	50% of the MVUC rate plus renewal
Beyond 12 months with apprehension for LTO violations	50% of the MVUC rate plus renewal for every year of delinquency

Check LTO's official website and social media channels for more information about vehicle car registration and renewal-related fees.

LTO Fees for Driver's License Application and Renewal

Applying for a new driver's license? Or renewing your existing license? Make sure you bring the correct amount to pay the appropriate LTO fee.

Transaction	Total Fee
Student permit application	₱317.63
Driver's license application (professional/non-professional)	₱689
Driver's license renewal (professional/non-professional	Valid license: ₱585 ₱660 for license expired for one day to one year ₱735 for license expired for one to two years ₱910 for license expired for over two years
Dormant license renewal (professional/non-professional)	₱1,045.26
License classification change request	Valid non-professional to professional (and vice versa): ₱425 Expired non-professional to professional (and vice versa): ₱785 + penalty

Check the LTO website^[5] for more information about driver's license-related fees.

LTO Violation Fees

Break a traffic rule, and you’ll be slapped with a fine. Here’s a list of LTO fees for common traffic violations in the Philippines:

Violation	Fine
Driving without a valid driver's license	₱3,000
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or dangerous drugs	Confiscation of the driver’s license on the first offense and lifetime revocation for the second offense
Driving a motor vehicle used in the commission of a crime upon conviction by a regular court	₱10,000
Reckless driving	First offense: ₱2,000 Second offense: ₱3,000 Subsequent offense: ₱10,000
Submission of fake documents in driver's license application or renewal	₱3,000
No seat belt (including having a child passenger six years old and below on the front passenger seat)	First offense: ₱1,000 Second offense: ₱2,000 Third offense: ₱5,000
No motorcycle helmet	First offense: ₱1,500 Second offense: ₱3,000 Third offense: ₱5,000 Fourth and succeeding offenses: ₱10,000
No driver's license, certificate of registration, or official receipt while driving	₱1,000
Traffic violations such as parking violation, disregarding traffic signs, illegal turn, illegal overtaking, and others listed under the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01	₱1,000
Driving an unregistered vehicle	₱10,000
Unauthorized vehicle modification	₱5,000
Vehicle without or with defective/improper/unauthorized devices, accessories, parts, and equipment	₱5,000
License plate not attached or improperly attached	₱5,000
Smoke belching	First offense: ₱2,000 Second offense: ₱4,000 Third offense: ₱6,000
Vehicle registration/renewal fraud	₱3,000
All other violations in connection with motor vehicle registration/renewal/ operation	₱2,000

How to Avoid Violating Traffic Rules

Ready to hit the road again? Paying an LTO fee for your violation only adds to the agony of battling the usual traffic jams. So here are a few things you can do to avoid making LTO violations and save your money for more important expenses.

1. Have Your Valid Driver’s License with You

Your driver’s license is your ultimate pass to drive a vehicle and access the country’s roads and highways. If your driver’s license is expired, don't attempt to drive. There’s no excuse for leaving it at home or elsewhere. You should take it with you whenever you decide to go out and drive.

You also need to make sure that your car’s Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) are valid. These two documents are proof of your vehicle registration and ownership.

2. Check for Any Damaged or Missing Vehicle Parts

Your damaged brake system or broken lights may not only lead to fines and penalties but also cause harm to others and yourself. Avoid paying any LTO fees by making sure all your vehicle parts are working properly before hitting the road.

3. Follow Traffic Rules and Road Signs

Knowing the road signs and their meaning can prevent you from committing driving mistakes. Traffic signs and road signs are essential in giving drivers warnings and information on routes.

4. Drive at Moderate Speeds

Public roads are not for racing, so always observe speed limits. If you’re driving too fast and there are speed cameras, you have no choice but to pay the overspeeding fine.

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Final Thoughts

Many LTO penalties leave motorists scratching their heads in confusion and frustration. But nothing much can be done except to pay what’s due. Being aware of the rules and regulations set by the agency won't only save you from paying the LTO fee but ensure hassle-free driving, too.

Obey traffic rules and practice safe and defensive driving so that you won’t be penalized with a fine. Also, renew your car registration on time, so you won’t be paying LTO fees for late registration. Lastly, renew your driver’s license while it’s still valid, as renewing an expired license can cost you more.

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Mercantile Insurance	₱5 million	Up to ₱2,000	Up to ₱5,000	Up to ₱10,000
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Stronghold Insurance	₱3 million	N/A	N/A	N/A
Prudential Guarantee	₱3 million	Up to ₱2,000	Up to ₱5,500	Up to ₱15,000