LTO Fees Every Driver and Vehicle Owner Should Know

Driving your own car has a lot of benefits, that’s for sure. But transactions with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) usually come with a fee―whether it’s for vehicle registration, driver’s license application or renewal, or settling a traffic rule violation. Learning about every LTO fee 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 fee that you’ll be charged beforehand. This will also save you from enduring long queues and slower payment processes due to the skeletal workforce.

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

LTO Car Registration Fees

In August 2018, reports surfaced about the Department of Finance’s proposal to increase the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC). In 2020, the House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 6136, a bill aimed at generating around ₱9 billion funding for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program and road safety.^[1] The proposal further pushes for a 5% increase in all MVUC rates from 2023 onwards.

MUVC Rates for Car Registration

Here are the MVUC rates for private cars in the Philippines based on vehicle type and gross weight. For starters, registering your motorcycle will cost you₱240 and ₱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

MVUC Rates for Electric Vehicles

Although the use of electric vehicles or e-bikes may seem to be not fully regulated yet, the LTO has released its guidelines for the classification, operation and registration of electric motor vehicles last year.^[2]Below is a table of 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

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

Other LTO Fees for Car Registration

In addition to the MVUC, other LTO fees can raise the total fee 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 for Late Registration

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

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 the LTO website 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^[3] 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 every LTO fee 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 LTO Violations

Now that the country's gradually preparing for the new normal, most vehicle owners are getting ready to hit the road again. But paying an LTO fee for your violations only adds to the agony of battling the usual traffic jams. So here are a few things you can do to avoid LTO violations and save your money for more important expenses.

1. Make Sure to 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 vehicle registration and ownership and further make your driving experience legitimate.

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 may also cause harm to others and to yourself. You can avoid paying any LTO fee if you make sure all your vehicle parts are working properly.

3. Follow the 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 Speed

Public roads are not for racing, so always drive at moderate speed and 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 your driving is hassle-free, 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 an LTO fee 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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