In case you missed it, the Land Transportation Office will enforce – and more strongly – the No Registration No Travel Policy for motor vehicles. At the turn of the year, the agency is reminding the motoring public that efforts to apprehend unregistered vehicles from the road will be stricter and more widespread beginning January 1. With that, the LTO is imploring everyone to register their vehicles.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
It can be remembered that the Holiday season brought a reprieve for motor vehicle owners as far as vehicle registration and the No Registration No Travel Policy go. The turn into 2024 will see an end to what the agency has coined “holiday leniency” and they will now more proactively check registrations if they are up to date and valid.
Thus far, in Region 1 alone, elements of the LTO and PNP have already apprehended 292 motorists for violating the No Registration No Travel Policy. A stern warning was issued by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II to delinquent owners nationwide to register their vehicles immediately saying that it’s not just about avoiding the hefty PHP 10,000USD 170INR 14,453EUR 164CNY 1,240 fine, but it is more about ensuring everyone’s safety on the road.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
If you’re wondering about your vehicle’s registration, all you’ll need to know are the 2nd to the last and last digits of your license plate. The 2nd to the last number indicates what week of the month your vehicle must be registered, and those will have to be done – depending on your plate’s number – within the 1st to 4th weeks. As for the last digit, that number indicates the month within which you must register your vehicle, and that must be done anywhere between January to October; again, conforming to your plate’s last digit.
Should you want to, you can even renew your vehicle’s registration 60 days before yours is set to expire. Nothing bad with making sure that you comply with the No Registration No Travel Policy in advance, right?
Photo: Land Transportation Office
“Our main goal is to ensure safety for all road users, but we also want to make registration quick and convenient. That’s why we’ve set up special lanes for delinquent owners in all LTO offices nationwide,” Mendoza emphasized on the enforcement of the No Registration No Travel Policy.
As to why the LTO is cracking down on vehicle registration, the reason is to address the pressing issue of vehicles’ roadworthiness There are an estimated 24.7 million unregistered vehicles in the country, which makes up a staggering 65% of the total vehicles on the road(s). Mendoza cited a World Health Organization report stating that 1.3 million people die in road accidents globally each year, while the Philippines averages 32 daily fatalities.
In theory, vehicle registration is supposed to follow a stringent process, including inspections for roadworthiness. It’s not unknown that some (or most, apparently) get registered despite their worse-for-wear condition, and that is what the LTO is locking in on.
That said, is your vehicle legal to be used on the road? Go ahead, and check your plates. PHP 10,000USD 170INR 14,453EUR 164CNY 1,240 is a pretty big amount to fork over for a violation of the No Registration No Travel Policy. Having your vehicle impounded, is even worse so.
