MMDA Violations and Penalties Motorists Must Know About
by Moneymax, on category "Government Services"
November 15, 2019
This article was published on April 16, 2015 and was updated on November 15, 2019.
Everyone who drives tries their best not to violate any traffic rule—that’s a fact.
However, there are moments when you’ll find yourself fined for an MMDA traffic violation, and “I didn’t know” is definitely not something you can say to get out of it.
If you’re wondering what violations you can incur and the fines that come with them, here are the MMDA traffic violations and penalties you should be aware of.
License-Based Violations and Penalties
These violations usually involve your driver’s license—any misuse, failure to carry it while driving, or failure to renew it.
| MMDA Traffic Violations and Penalties | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allowing another person to use your driver’s license | PHP 500 + 1-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 500 + 1-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 500 + 1-month suspension of driver’s license |
| Allowing improperly licensed or unlicensed person to drive | PHP 750 | PHP 750 | PHP 750 |
| Failure to sign your driver’s license | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Fake driver’s license | PHP 1,500 + 6-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 1,500 + 6-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 1,500 + 6-month suspension of driver’s license |
| Fake ID/permit | PHP 1,000 | PHP 2,000 | PHP 3,000 |
| Driving without the presence of a licensed driver | PHP 200 | PHP 200 | PHP 200 |
| Double license | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Driving with delinquent/invalid/ineffectual driver’s license | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Driving with revoked driver’s license | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Driving with a suspended driver’s license | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Driving without a driver’s license | PHP 750 | PHP 750 | PHP 750 |
| Failure to carry/show/surrender driver’s license | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
Read more:
License Plate and Registration-Based Violations and Penalties
These violations involve the license plates issued to the driver upon registration, as well as those related to your vehicle registration.
| MMDA Traffic Violations and Penalties | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delinquent/Invalid registration | PHP 450 | PHP 450 | PHP 450 |
| Dirty/Uncared for plates | PHP 150 + confiscation of license plate | PHP 150 + confiscation of license plate | PHP 150 + confiscation of license plate |
| Failure to carry CR/OR | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Failure to display the regular plate with a commemorative plate | PHP 5,000 | PHP 5,000 | PHP 5,000 |
| Fake number plates | PHP 1,000 | PHP 2,000 | PHP 3,000 |
| Fake stickers | PHP 1,000 | PHP 2,000 | PHP 3,000 |
| Fake tags | PHP 1,000 | PHP 2,000 | PHP 3,000 |
| Illegal transfer of plates/tags/stickers | PHP 7,500 + 1-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 7,500 + 1-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 7,500 + 1-month suspension of driver’s license |
| Improperly displayed plates | PHP 200 | PHP 200 | PHP 200 |
| Improperly registered motor vehicle | PHP 450 | PHP 450 | PHP 450 |
| Inconspicuously displayed plates | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| No plate lights | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Plates not firmly attached/visible | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Revoked certificate of registration | PHP 450 + impounding of vehicle/confiscation of plate | PHP 450 + impounding of vehicle/confiscation of plate | PHP 450 + impounding of vehicle/confiscation of plate |
| Suspended certificate of registration | PHP 450 + impounding of vehicle/confiscation of plate | PHP 450 + impounding of vehicle/confiscation of plate | PHP 450 + impounding of vehicle/confiscation of plate |
| Tampered/marked plates | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Tampered/marked stickers | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Tampering of OR/CR and other documents | PHP 5,000 + impounding of vehicle for 24 hours | PHP 5,000 + impounding of vehicle for 24 hours | PHP 5,000 + impounding of vehicle for 24 hours |
| Tourist driving an unregistered vehicle in the Philippines | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 |
| Unauthorized “For Hire” plates on private vehicles | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 |
| Unauthorized improvised plates | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Unregistered vehicle | PHP 450 | PHP 450 | PHP 450 |
| Violation of commemorative plate rules and regulations | PHP 5,000 | PHP 5,000 | PHP 5,000 |
Read more:
- Complete Guide to Car Registration and Renewal in the Philippines
- LTO License Plate Updates and Rules Car Owners Must Know
Driving Violations and Penalties
Photo from MMDA Facebook page
These violations are among the most committed by Pinoy drivers in general. They involve disregarding driving laws, traffic signs, and traffic rules that endanger the safety of the driver, passengers, and other motorists on the road. Take note of the MMDA traffic violations and penalties below.
| MMDA Traffic Violations and Penalties | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allowing passenger on top of the vehicle | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act | PHP 5,000 | PHP 10,000 | PHP 15,000 + 3-month suspension of driver’s license 4th offense: PHP 20,000 + revocation of driver’s license |
| Violation of the right-hand drive ban | PHP 500 | PHP 500 | PHP 500 |
| Colored/Tinted/Painted windshield | PHP 500 | PHP 500 | PHP 500 |
| Cutting an overtaken vehicle | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Defective/Broken brakes/equipment/windshield | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Disregarding traffic signs | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Driving against traffic | PHP 2,000 + 3-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 2,000 + 6-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 2,000 + revocation of driver’s license |
| Driving in a place not for traffic | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Driving under the influence of drugs | PHP 2,000 | PHP 2,000 + 1-year suspension of driver’s license | PHP 2,000 + revocation of driver’s license |
| Driving under the influence of liquor | PHP 2,000 | PHP 2,000 + 1-year suspension of driver’s license | PHP 2,000 + revocation of driver’s license |
| Excess passenger/cargo | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 |
| Failure to dim headlights/give proper signal/give way to an overtaking vehicle/give way to police vehicle/fire truck/ambulance | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Failure to install early warning device | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Failure to stop motor and notch handbrake of the motor when unattended | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Failure to use the seatbelt | PHP 250 | PHP 500 | PHP 1,000 + 1-week suspension of driver’s license |
| Failure to yield right of way | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Illegal or unauthorized counterflow | PHP 2,000 + 3-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 2,000 + 6-month suspension of driver’s license | PHP 2,000 + revocation of driver’s license |
| Illegal overtaking | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Illegal parking (attended) | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 |
| Illegal parking (unattended) | PHP 2,000 | PHP 2,000 | PHP 2,000 |
| Illegal turning | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Illegal/Unsafe towing | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Improper/Defective horn/signaling device | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Increasing speed when overtaken | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| No brake lights/interior light/rearview mirror/red rear lights/spare tire | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| No motorcycle helmet | PHP 1,500 | PHP 3,000 | PHP 5,000 Succeeding offenses: PHP 10,000 + confiscation of driver’s license |
| No ICC/PS Mark sticker on the helmet | PHP 3,000 | PHP 5,000 | N/A |
| No tailgate | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| No/Cut muffler | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| No/Defective handbrake/headlights/speedometer/tachometer/taillights/windshield wiper | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Obstruction on public roads | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 |
| Overnight parking | PHP 500 | PHP 500 | PHP 500 |
| Overspeeding along Diosdado Macapagal Ave. | PHP 2,000 | PHP 2,000 | PHP 2,000 |
| Overspeeding along other major roads | PHP 1,200 | PHP 1,200 | PHP 1,200 |
| Overtaking at an intersection/at No Overtaking Zone/at railway grade crossing/at an unsafe distance/between Men Working: Caution signs/upon a crest of grade/upon a curve/when the left side is not visible or clear | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Private vehicle using Yellow Bus Lanes along EDSA | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 | PHP 1,000 |
| Reckless driving | PHP 500 | P 750 + suspension of driver’s license | PHP 1,000 + revocation of driver’s license |
| Smoke belching | PHP 200 | PHP 200 | PHP 200 |
| Sporting dazzling headlights, neon lights, broken lens | PHP 500 | PHP 500 | PHP 500 |
| Stainless/Nickel/Chrome-plated, shiny vehicle parts | PHP 500 | PHP 500 | PHP 500 |
| Stalled light vehicle | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 |
| Stalled medium vehicle | PHP 2,500 | PHP 2,500 | PHP 2,500 |
| Stalled heavy vehicle | PHP 3,000 | PHP 3,000 | PHP 3,000 |
| Towing fee for stalled/illegally parked heavy vehicles | PHP 4,500 | PHP 4,500 | PHP 4,500 |
| Towing fee for stalled/illegally parked medium vehicles | PHP 2,500 | PHP 2,500 | PHP 2,500 |
| Towing fee for stalled/illegally parked light vehicles | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 | PHP 1,500 |
| Violation of number coding scheme | PHP 300 | PHP 300 | PHP 300 |
| Unsafe load/cargo | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Using the vehicle in committing a crime | PHP 10,000 + revocation of driver’s license | N/A | N/A |
Read more:
Penalties for Improper Driver Behavior and Conduct
You could be also ticketed for an MMDA traffic violation due to unprofessional behavior or conduct when driving.
| MMDA Traffic Violations and Penalties | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrogance/Discourtesy | PHP 150 | PHP 150 | PHP 150 |
| Driving in a sleeveless shirt/slippers | PHP 100 | PHP 100 | PHP 100 |
| Horn tooting along EDSA and other major roads | PHP 500 | PHP 500 | PHP 500 |
Final Thoughts
The fees for most MMDA traffic violations and penalties seem minimal, but you still don’t want to be in that situation where you’ll be hassled with settling the fines (1).
The inconvenience is much greater when you don’t settle the fine immediately. If you are late in paying for the fine for the MMDA traffic violation you committed, or fail to settle it altogether, you won’t be able to renew your driver’s license if you’re physically apprehended, or vehicle registration if apprehended under the no-contact policy (2).
Avoid such scenarios by making sure your car is roadworthy before you drive, driving responsibly, and observing traffic rules and signs.
Sources:
- (1) Procedures for Settling MMDA Traffic Violations (MMDA website)
- (2) No Contact Traffic Apprehension Policy (MMDA website)
