Registration of Motor Vehicle & Driver’s License

Lesson 7
What is a Motor Vehicle Registration?

a car or motor vehicle registration is basically a process

used by the government to establish a link between
vehicles and its owners/users – through registered plate
numbers. And it is mandated by the Land
Transportation Office of the Philippines.
Registration of Motor Vehicle
1. What is an OR/CR?
The OR/CR LTO issued by the LTO are the two most important documents where you
car is concerned, distinguishing it from every other car in the Philippines, even if they
happen to be exactly the same model, variant, or body color. Think of them as a
unique ID for your car.

A vehicle is typically identified by its designated OR, engine and chassis number, and
this information is indicated in the OR and CR.
OR or Official Receipt
The LTO Official Receipt, more commonly
known as the OR refers to the document
issued by the Land Transportation Office.
As the name suggests, this is a receipt
serving as proof that the owner has paid
for the vehicle's registration.
As you can see from the OR sample above, it has a background composed of
sky blue LTO logos, and it contains important information like who paid for the
vehicle’s registration fees (Received from), where the payee is from (Address),
the vehicle's license plate number, and a summary of the fees paid for, and of
course, the date when the transaction was made.

The OR carries its own unique serial number, called an OR number, which
CANNOT be changed or altered in any way.
CR or Certificate of Registration
The other half of a car's registration documents is the Certificate of
Registration LTO, commonly referred to as the CR, and this is also issued by
the LTO.

The CR contains more technical information about a particular vehicle: make,

model, vehicle class, motor number, chassis number, engine displacement,
number of cylinders, gross weight, net capacity, and total number of
passengers, as well as the owner's complete name and address.

Whereas the OR has a primarily blue background, the CR has a yellow color.
LTO Car Registration Schedule:
The last digit on your plate number corresponds to the month you need to renew your
vehicle.
Month Last Digit of Your Plate Number
January 1
February 2
March 3
April 4
May 5
June 6
July 7
August 8
September 9
October 0
The second to the last digit of your plate number, on the other hand,
corresponds to the weekly deadline of your car registration renewal.

WEEK LAST DIGIT OF YOUR PLATE

NUMBER
1st to 7th working day 1,2,3
8th to 14th working day 4,5,6
15th to 21th working day 7,8
22nd to the last working day 9,0
If your vehicle, for example, has a plate number of 895, your renewal deadline is from the 22nd to 31st of
May. Note that you can renew your car registration a month before its deadline.
LTO Car Renewal Requirements:
Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (COR) and its official
receipt of payment
Appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover (COC)
Duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection
Report (MVIR)

Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC)

Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)

The renewal process is basically the same as when you register

your car for the first time. Your vehicle just need to go through
an inspection and emission test to acquire a CEC.

As for the serving LTO branch, you can renew your car
registration at any LTO online district/extension office
Step 1: Complete all the required documents for your Car’s
Registration Renewal
The following items will be required to renew your car’s
registration:
Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (CR) and Official receipt
of payment
Tax payer’s ID number
Certificate of Emission compliance (CEC)
Duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection
Report (MVIR)
Appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover (COC)
Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (CR) and Official receipt
of payment
For “For Hire” vehicles, the following
additional requirements are required:
• Confirmation of Franchise from the
LTFRB
• Valid Motorized Tricycle Operator’s
Permit (MTOP) for tricycle (TC) only
Step 2: Go to the Nearest LTO Branch
Step 3: Go to the transaction counters to
submit all the requirements to the
evaluator
Step 4: Have the vehicle inspected,
provide duly accomplished MVIR( Motor
Vehicle Inspection Report.)
Step 5: Wait for your name to be called on the cashier’s
area and pay for all fees and get the original receipt (O.R)
Below are the following fees you need to prepare for
renewing your vehicle’s registration:

Initial fee: P1,000/category

Renewal fee: P400/category
Stickers and tags: P50 each
Regular plate: P450
Tip for the Stencil Aide: P50-P100 (as stenciling aren’t
performed by LTO employees)
Step 6: Proceed to the releasing counter
and wait for your name to be called.
You will be provided with the Certificate
of Registration (CR), plates, and stickers
What is a Driver’s License?

A driver’s license is a government-issued

document that can give you the proper
authority to drive a motor vehicle in the
Philippines.
How long is the validity of the Philippine
driver’s license?
It has a validity of five (5) years while the student permit is
only valid for one (1) year. Upon renewal, however, the
driver’s license validity period can be extended to 10
years1 provided that the driver didn’t incur any record of a
road traffic violation.

The 10-year license incentive will be granted to

responsible drivers with clean records starting in October
2021. Irresponsible drivers, meanwhile, may face fines,
penalties, or more severe sanctions depending on how
many demerit points he/she will earn.
LTO’s Demerit Points: Everything Philippine
Drivers Must Know
Demerit points are part of the new point system introduced by the Land
Transportation Office (LTO) through the implementing rules and regulations
of Republic Act No. 10930.

Basically, we’re now adopting the same point system being used in most
developed countries with the goal of improving the overall quality of drivers
in the country. In other words, stricter rules = more responsible drivers.

Here’s how it works:

For every traffic violation that you accumulate, there will be a corresponding
number of demerit points that will be assigned or charged to you.
The number of demerit points you earn
depends on the gravity of the traffic violation
you commit. The more serious it is, the more
demerit points you’ll get.

What are the traffic violations and their

corresponding demerit points?
Traffic violations have three categories, each
of which have been assigned a specific
number of demerit points:
As shown in the table above, grave
violations will earn the highest number of
demerit points because they pose the
biggest threat to the safety of the driver,
passengers, or the general public, and may
cause substantial damage to properties.
Traffic violations under this category include driving while
under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; failure to wear
seat belt/s; smoke-belching; driving against traffic; driving
without a valid driver’s license; and overtaking (upon a
curve, at an intersection, at no-overtaking zone, etc.).

Meanwhile, less grave violations also endanger people and

properties but not as serious of a threat as the grave
violations. Included in this classification are failure to dim
headlights when approaching another motor vehicle;
failure to yield the right to a way to a pedestrian crossing a
highway; and failure to stop motor and notch handbrake or
motor vehicle when unattended.
Lastly, light violations are equivalent to only 1 demerit point
because they’re just considered minor violations of traffic
rules, regulations, laws, and ordinances. Examples are unsafe
towing, overcharging/undercharging of fare, and failure to
display a “No Smoking” sign inside a passenger vehicle.

Take note that drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) will

accumulate double demerit points (meaning 2X the regular
demerit point) when caught violating a traffic rule while
operating a “For Hire” motor vehicle. Double demerit points
will also be charged to drivers of a private motor vehicle
operating as a PUV but not authorized by the Land
Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Boards (LTFRB).
On the other hand, drivers who accumulate a
total of 40 demerit points will have their driver’s
licenses revoked and will be disqualified from
getting a new license for a period of 2 years from
the date the fines and penalties are settled.

Keep in mind that all the demerit points you’ve

accumulated will not be carried over once your
license has been renewed. Hence, getting a new
license means your demerit points will go back to
zero so you can have a fresh start.
Types of Driver’s License in the Philippines.
The following are three types of driver’s license in the
Philippines

1. Student Permit – Every individual who wishes to obtain

a Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License is
required to get a Student Permit first. The Student Permit
or Student License authorizes its holder to drive a motor
vehicle but in the presence of someone who holds a valid
Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License. The
student permit is only valid for one year and cannot be
modified, revised, or renewed.
2. Non-Professional – A Non-Professional Driver’s License can
give you the authority to drive/operate PRIVATE motor vehicles
with up to 4,500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Holders of this
license will be able to drive vehicles with both manual and
automatic transmission. Some of the vehicle types included in
the weight limit are sedans, minivans, pickups, SUVs, and other
passenger vehicles.

3. Professional – A Professional Driver’s License grants the

driver (hired or paid) the authority to drive/operate motor
vehicles whether for PRIVATE use or for hire to the PUBLIC.
Professional Driver’s License holders are permitted to drive
almost all types of vehicles, including motor vehicles exceeding
4,500 GVW like heavy construction equipment.
How to Get a Student Permit in the
Philippines.
Every individual who wishes to obtain a driver’s license will have to
apply for a student permit first. This will give you the authority to
drive specific types of vehicles while accompanied by a Professional
or Non-Professional Driver’s License holder.

The student permit will give you the chance to learn how to drive for
one year before taking written and practical driving examinations. You
can apply for a Student Permit at any LTO District Office, Licensing
Center, and Extension Office that processes Driver’s License
transactions.

Take note that a student permit is NOT an official driver’s license. If

you’re caught driving a vehicle without the presence of a trained
licensed driver, you will be fined a penalty fee of Php 3,000 and run
the risk of getting your vehicle impounded.
1. Qualifications: Who can apply for a student permit?
According to the latest LTO Citizen’s Charter2, you can apply for a student permit as long
as you meet the following qualifications:
You must be a Filipino or foreign citizen whose age is 16 years old and above. However,
due to the ongoing health crisis, only those who are 21 to 59 years old are allowed to
apply and drive. Once the situation improves, rest assured that the LTO will adhere to its
official age requirement.

If you’re a holder of a driver’s license that has been expired for 10 years or more, you are
no longer allowed to drive and is required by the LTO to apply for a student permit again.

You must be able to read and write in English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect.

You must be physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle.

You must have attended at least 15 hours of theoretical driving lessons from any LTO-
accredited driving school.
Basic Requirements
Fully accomplished Driver’s License Application Form
PSA-authenticated birth certificate (original and photocopy).
Original and photocopy of any government-issued ID with photo
and signature of the applicant.
Taxpayer’s Identification Number or TIN, if you’re employed.
Medical examination certificate (online only/electronically
transmitted by the clinic).
Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) certificates (electronically
transmitted)
Additional Requirements
For minors or applicants below eighteen (18) years
old:

Original copy of the duly notarized parent’s

consent or an affidavit of the guardian authorizing
the applicant to secure/apply for a student permit.
1 valid government-issued ID of consenting parent
or guardian with photo and signature (original and
photocopy)
For married women:

PSA-authenticated marriage contract (original and photocopy)

For foreigners:

Applicant’s passport containing the following (original and

photocopy): (a) Entry date of at least one (1) month; and (b)
Visa duration of at least one (1) year from the date of
application

If born in the Philippines, submit PSA-authenticated birth

certificate (original and photocopy)
How to Get a Professional Driver’s License in the
Philippines.
This guide is for individuals who are planning to
apply for a Professional Driver’s License which
enables one to drive vehicles exceeding 4,500
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight).

Applications for a new Professional Driver’s

License can be submitted at any LTO District
Office, Licensing Center, and Extension Office that
processes Driver’s License transactions.
Qualifications: Who can apply for a
Professional Driver’s License?
You must be a Filipino or a foreigner who
is at least seventeen (17) years old.
You must be physically and mentally able
to drive a motor vehicle.
You must be a holder of a Non-
Professional Driver’s License for at least a
year.
You must have completed a minimum of 8
hours of hands-on driving lessons given
by an LTO-accredited and TESDA-certified
driving school
Basic Requirements.
Completely filled out Driver’s License Application
Medical examination certificate (online only/electronically
transmitted by the clinic).
Valid Non-Professional Driver’s License issued at least one year
before the date of application.
Clearance from both the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation)
and PNP (Philippine National Police)
Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificates (electronically
transmitted)
How to Get a Non-Professional Driver’s License in the
Philippines.
The Non-Professional Driver’s License is an
official license that will only enable you to drive
private vehicles. If you want to earn money
driving public vehicles, then apply for a
Professional Driver’s License instead.

Applications for a new Non-Professional Driver’s

License can be submitted at any LTO District
Office, Licensing Center, and Extension Office
that processes Driver’s License transactions.
1. Qualifications: Who can apply for a Non-Professional Driver’s License?
You must be a Filipino or a foreigner who is at least seventeen (17) years old. Due to
the pandemic, however, only those who are 21 to 59 years old are allowed to apply.
The LTO will adhere to their original age requirement as soon as the health crisis is
over.
You must be physically and mentally able to drive a motor vehicle. However, just
because you have a medical condition doesn’t mean you’ll be completely barred
from driving a vehicle. Depending on the physician who will assess you during the
medical examination, you may be allowed to drive a vehicle provided that the
appropriate condition code will be added in your driver’s license.
You must be able to read and write English, Filipino, or any applicable local dialect.
You must be a holder of a valid Student Permit issued at least thirty (30) days before
the Non-Professional Driver’s License application.
You must have completed a minimum of 8 hours of practical driving lessons given by
an LTO-accredited and TESDA-certified driving school According to the
Memorandum Circular No. 2019-2176.
Must have passed the required written
and practical exam after completing the
8-hour practical driving course.
For foreign applicants: You must be
residing in the Philippines for at least one
(1) month and will stay in the country for
at least one (1) year from date of
application.
Basic Requirements.
Completely filled out Driver’s License Application Form
Valid Student Permit issued at least thirty (30) days before
the date of application
Medical examination certificate (online only/electronically
transmitted by the clinic).
Practical Driving Course (PDC) certificates (electronically
transmitted)