How to Renew your Motorcycle LTO Registration in 2023

Renewing your motorcycle registration in the Philippines can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. The process of registration renewal here in the Philippines is relatively straightforward. You just need to go to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), submit all the necessary documents, and pay the appropriate fees. However, the entire process usually takes a full day. Worse, it may even last into the next day. To help you with renewing your motorcycle registration this 2023, here is our guide to making the process as smooth as possible.

Update: As of February 14, 2023, you can now accomplish the motorcycle registration renewal online using the LTMS portal.

When to Renew Your LTO Registration

When purchasing a new motorcycle from a dealership, the transaction often includes the LTO registration. In the past, only the motorcycles with registered engine displacements of 201 cc and above were eligible for a 3-year LTO registration, while motorcycles with registered engine displacements of 200cc and below were limited to a 1-year registration validity. However, due to Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2395, effective May 15, 2023, brand new motorcycles with an engine displacement of 200cc and below are now qualified for a three-year validity of their initial registration with the LTO. Before the three-year initial registration expires, you must personally renew the registration every year.

So, how can you tell if it’s time to renew your motorcycle registration? Your motorcycle plate number contains the answer. The digits in your plate number determine which month and week of the month your registration renewal is due.

The month in which you must renew your registration is indicated by the last digit of your plate number.

The second to the last digit of your plate number, on the other hand, corresponds to the weekly deadline for your motorcycle registration renewal.

If your motorcycle’s registration is expired, you will be fined P100 for each week it is not registered by the due date.

Requirements for Registration Renewal

Before you go to renew your motorcycle registration, you should have a few documents ready. Fortunately, you can obtain these documents close to the LTO district office and you will not have a difficult time locating them. These documents can also be obtained prior to your visit to the LTO office in order to save even more time.

1. CTPL– When renewing your motorcycle’s registration, you must have Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance. In essence, the CTPL safeguards the motorcycle owner against financial liabilities to anyone hurt or killed by the insured vehicle. Most LTO offices have insurance agents on their premises, but you can get insurance elsewhere for a lower cost. You can also get your CTPL online for a much cheaper cost. For less than 300 pesos, you can get your CTPL through this link: CTPL Insurance for Motorcycles which you can pay using Gcash, Debit, or Credit card.
2. Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) – You need your taxpayer’s ID number during the renewal process. Do not forget to bring your TIN ID if you have one.
3. Original Copy of Certificate of Emission Compliance – The Clean Air Act (RA 8749) mandates that all vehicles be tested for emissions before their registrations can be renewed. This test is done by a Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) accredited by LTO. To pass this test, your vehicle must be maintained properly and not emit harmful emissions that harm the environment. Many LTO offices have emission testing facilities nearby or even within their compound. Most of them charge a higher fee and may have a long line of vehicles waiting for their turn. Rather than having your motorcycle tested at the PETC closest to the LTO office, look for authorized emission testing centers located outside or far away from an LTO office. Most have little to no wait time and may even charge less, saving you valuable time and money.
4. Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (CR) – Please submit a photocopy of the CR. Do not submit the original copy or give it to anyone on the premises. A photocopy of the CR is sufficient for registration renewal.
5. Official Receipt of payment – If you do not have an official receipt from the initial registration, visit a notary public and obtain an affidavit of loss. This affidavit will be submitted in lieu of your official receipt.
6. Duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)– Get this form from the personnel at the entrance of the LTO Registration office. You can also get this from the PETC where you got the emission compliance certificate.

Steps on Motorcycle Registration Renewal

After collecting the necessary documentation, it is now time to renew your motorcycle’s registration. Here are the steps for doing so:

1. Your registration can be renewed at any LTO District Office. Go to the closest one to your location. Do not forget to bring your motorcycle for inspection and the necessary paperwork. Remember to dress appropriately.
2. Proceed to the LTO Transaction Counter and inform the staff that you wish to renew your motorcycle registration. He/she will give you a Motor Vehicle Inspection Report form and a queue number.
3. Bring the MVIR form to an authorized LTO Inspection aide. He or she will inspect your motorcycle. This is where your motorcycle’s headlight, signal lights, brakes, and all functional parts will be checked. After inspection, your engine will be stenciled and the chassis number will be recorded. He/she will fill out the MVIR form. Do not forget to pay the inspection aide for his/her service.
4. Return to the LTO office and submit the fully completed MVIR along with the aforementioned documents. The LTO evaluator will review all of your documents before submitting them to the office for processing.
5. Wait for the cashier to call your number. When it is your turn, proceed to the Cashier to pay the Registration Renewal Fee and/or any other fees that may be applicable.
6. Now, wait for the releasing counter to call your name (or the name indicated on the CR). He/she will give you the Certificate of Registration (CR) along with the Official Receipt (OR).

Always carry a copy of the Certificate of Registration (CR) and the Official Receipt of Payment when riding your motorcycle on public highways in the Philippines (OR). The CR indicates that the vehicle is registered and valid, but the OR indicates that the registration payments have been paid. If you are stopped by law authorities without these documents, you will be subject to fines and penalties.

How to Renew the Registration of Motorcycles without License Plates?

What if you still do not have the LTO Plate number? Due to the huge backlog in LTO, a vast majority of motorcycle owners are still waiting for their LTO plate numbers. Because of this, you will not be able to know right away the schedule of your registration renewal. You will also not be able to use the MV file number on the temporary plate as a basis for yearly registration. Instead, you must use the date of release from the dealership as the basis for yearly registration. However, you still need a temporary plate number for the emission compliance certificate and the CTPL insurance. To secure an assigned temporary plate number, please follow the instructions below. Please keep in mind that these steps only apply to motorcycle owners who do not yet have their permanent license plates.

1. Before going to LTO, visit a Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) accredited by LTO. Ask the staff to guide you on how to get the authorization to use a temporary plate and the printed assigned temporary plate.
2. You will pay around 50 pesos for the authorization and the printed assigned temporary plate. The authorization and the assigned temporary plate are valid until the permanent plate number is available.
3. The PETC personnel will attach the printed temporary plate during the emission testing and the taking of pictures. You also need these documents when getting CTPL insurance.
4. After securing the Certificate of Emission Compliance and CTPL, proceed to LTO for the registration renewal of your motorcycle (see the above instructions).

How Much is the Total Renewal Fee?

How much does it cost to renew a motorcycle’s registration in the Philippines? Here is the breakdown of the expenses for motorcycle registration renewal this 2023. Please note that the amount listed below are estimates and are subject to change.

Please keep in mind that you’ll be paying more if you register your vehicle past the LTO’s deadline. The LTO charges a ₱100 weekly fine for late registration. If the delay lasts many months but not longer than a year, the fine will be equal to 50% of the MVUC. If you are late beyond 12 months without apprehension for LTO violations, you will pay an additional fee of 50% of the MVUC rate plus the renewal amount. If you are delayed for more than a year with apprehension for LTO violations, you will pay 50% of the MVUC rate plus renewal for every year of delinquency.