Fines will be collected! LTO penalizes 8 dealerships for breaking motor vehicle registration timeline
The LTO recently posted an exact timeline that all motor vehicle dealerships must comply with for registering a newly purchased vehicle. It didn’t take long for them to gather information on dealerships who have failed to do so and they already have eight dealerships on the list of those who will be served hefty fines.
8 dealerships did not meet LTO new vehicle registration deadline
Photo: LTO
The signing of Memorandum Circular 2021-2294 or “Rules on the Initial Registration of Motorcycles and Penalties for Violations Thereof” by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jayart Tugade solidifies a 7-11 day window for dealerships to complete delivery of a brand new motor vehicle’s OR, CR, and license plates. A 3-5 day window is given for MC dealerships to provide the same.
The agency has caught wind of an MC dealership taking 7 days to comply with the mandate, with others taking as long as 11 days to do so. The resolution of the Manufacturer, Assembler, Importer, Rebuilder, Dealer, and Other Entities (MAIRDOEs) Accreditation Committee has already been signed by the agency chief himself, laying down the law on the erring dealerships.
“Dealers have the responsibility of making sure that the vehicle registration processing time is observed strictly. Any delays may have repercussions on the public or client trying to purchase a vehicle in terms of their need for the vehicle, especially if it is needed for business,” Tugade said in a statement.
Photo: LTO
Such delays can also domino into more backlogs, particularly with plate issuance, that the agency has been dealing with for years on end. “We don’t want that to happen anymore during my watch,” Tugade later added.
He likewise emphasized that non-compliance with the process can greatly affect the public and the LTO itself. The laws and regulations on the complete registration process of brand-new vehicles must be carried out. The dealerships have been slapped with a PHP 20,000 fine and were reminded that subsequent violations of the timeline can land heftier fines and penalties.
It was only a matter of time before we see mandates being enforced, and we hope this sets a precedent. Given the LTO‘s resolve to shape up and provide better service to the public, perhaps this will serve as a lesson and reason enough to enforce the agency’s policies consistently, and more importantly, fairly.
If you’re reading this and you have a brand new motor vehicle that is due to be released, tell us if your dealership meets the set window and deadline. This will be most interesting.
