The implementation of the MMDA Single Ticketing System (STS) begins today, May 2, 2023. As with any new system, the motoring public has a lot of questions. For your benefit, we’ve completed a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding the STS so you won’t be caught unaware should you be pulled over and apprehended by law enforcement units.
Frequently asked questions about the Single Ticketing System
Table of Contents
Photo: LTO
What is the Single Ticketing System (STS)?
The Single Ticketing System is a unification and standardization of all traffic violations and the accompanying fines following their violation within Metro Manila. It involves the interconnectivity of various government agencies’ systems in the traffic and transportation sector. The System was institutionalized following the creation of the Traffic Code of 2023 which was approved by the Metro Manila Council on February 1, 2023.
What is included in the Single Ticketing System’s mandate?
The mandate of the Single Ticketing System includes governing traffic and the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations in primary, secondary, and other streets and roads that are within the jurisdiction of Metro Manila.
When will the Single Ticketing System be implemented?
The implementation of the Single Ticketing System, albeit in a dry-run state and in cooperation with the MMDA, starts on May 2, 2023, and will include 7 cities in Metro Manila, namely Manila, Paranaque, Quezon City, Caloocan, San Juan, Muntinlupa, and Valenzuela. As of this posting, the participation of other cities has yet to be announced or confirmed.
Who is authorized to apprehend and issue tickets under the Single Ticketing System?
Only deputized traffic personnel of the LTO, MMDA, and local government units in Metro Manila cities are authorized to apprehend and issue tickets under the Single Ticketing System.
What is the Unified Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR)?
The UOVR will be the new, physical ticket that will be issued under the STS. It will clearly reflect the logos of the MMDA, the LTO, and the 17 Metro Manila LGUs, as well as a unique serial number per ticket. The UOVR will be recognized by personnel of the MMDA, LTO, and LGUs as a valid traffic citation receipt and (will serve) as a temporary driver’s license in Metro Manila.
Likewise, the Ordinance Violation Receipt that was being used prior to the STS’ implementation, will continue to be recognized by apprehending officers.
What is “physical apprehension” by using handheld devices?
Every authorized or deputized traffic enforcer/personnel will be using a handheld device which they will use for apprehending traffic law violators.
This device’s functions include printing the Citation Ticket, validating and authenticating a driver’s license and a vehicle’s registration, checking if the apprehended driver has existing demerit points, checking if the driver’s license or vehicle’s registration is suspended, canceled, or has an alarm, pay fines online, among others.
Photo: LTO
Are law enforcers authorized to confiscate your driver’s license?
As a general rule, traffic enforcers are not allowed to confiscate driver’s licenses if the violation occurs within Metro Manila.
However, the following circumstances may warrant its confiscation:
- if the driver has an existing violation with an unpaid fine
- if the driver has accrued 10 demerit points, which will also result in the license’s suspension until such time the apprehensions and fines are cleared under the IRR of RA 10930
- if the driver has accrued 40 demerit points, which will also result in the cancellation of his/her driver’s license
- if the motor vehicle being driven is not registered
- if the driver is involved in an accident
- if the driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- if there are other similar circumstances to the aforementioned
What happens if a driver refuses to hand over his/her license, registration, or other documents when apprehended?
Although not a civil or criminal offense, refusing to hand over one’s driver’s license, registration, or other documents can be considered as another violation of the law, namely driving without a license or driving without a valid registration.
What if the driver refuses to sign the Citation Ticket?
The Citation Ticket will remain valid even without the signature of the apprehended driver/motorist. The authorized or deputized traffic personnel will simply add a note on the Ticket stating that the apprehended driver refused to affix his/her signature.
When and where can confiscated licenses, plates, or documents be retrieved?
The confiscated items can be retrieved/recovered from the assigned redemption office.
How do you contest a violation?
You can contest or lodge a complaint against the apprehension within 10 working days after the issuance of the Citation Ticket.
To do so, you must personally appear at the MMDA Traffic Adjudication Board, or at the LTO and LGU office(s) wherein the ticket was issued, to file your protest.
You can also file a contest/complaint online by sending an email or through their respective websites.
How will you be notified of your hearing’s date and venue?
A notice or summons will be sent by the MMDA, LTO, or LGU will be sent to the violator’s registered address, email address, or mobile number pertaining to the hearing’s date and venue.
Photo: Edison Bong Nebrija
What if you fail to appear at your hearing?
If you are unable to appear at your hearing with no justifiable ground, the complaint/protest will be dismissed because of what will be seen as having no interest or failure to prosecute.
What if you are not able to contest your apprehension/violation within the 10-day allowable period?
Failure to file a contest/complaint within the allowed time frame will result in the submission of the violation to the LTO and the application of the relevant demerit points under Republic Act 10930. The driver’s license and/or the vehicle’s registration will also be placed on the alarm list. The alarm can only be lifted upon settling/paying the fine for the violation.
The lapsing of the 10-(working) day period, not submitting a contest for the violation, or not paying the penalty renders the violation incontestible.
What happens if you get a favorable resolution after contesting your apprehension/violation?
No demerits will be tagged/applied in the records of the LTO, and no alarm will be placed on the driver’s license and/or vehicle registration.
How do you pay the fines?
Fines can be paid online thru the websites of the MMDA, LTO, and the apprehending LGU, or by personally going to their offices.
What if you are not able to pay the fine after 10 days or within the allowable contest period?
Your driver’s license and/or the involved vehicle’s registration will be placed on the alarm list.
A pending alarm on a license or registration will not allow its renewal or (re-)registration until the fines have been paid.
What are demerit points?
These are the points tagged by the LTO for every driver’s violation. Depending on how many points have been accumulated, the driver’s license may be suspended, canceled, or revoked. The demerit points can also be used to disqualify a driver from being issued a license with a 10-year validity.
The demerit point attribution for violating traffic laws is in accordance with the Violation-Demerit Point Schedule under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10930 and its Supplemental Guidelines.
Will the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) be implemented under the Single Ticketing System?
Although the NCAP is included in the Single Ticketing System, its implementation will remain suspended until such time that the Supreme Court comes to a resolution pertaining to its (NCAP’s) case.
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As a bonus, here’s a quick list of violations and their accompanying fines as posted by MMDA TFSO Head Edison “Bong” Nebrija on his social media page.
Photo: Edison Bong Nebrija
This guide follows the MMDA‘s release on the frequently asked questions regarding the Single Ticketing System. As of today, its implementation (dry-run) has already commenced in 7 cities of Metro Manila, and we can expect the others to follow suit soon. Study these and take them to heart as they are very important information.
We can only hope you won’t have to use them because you got apprehended under the Single Ticketing System.
