Impact of traffic violations on you, LTO registration, and more

No driver is perfect, no car owner is cautious at all times; these are some of the harsh realities that we need to accept. No matter how aware or concentrated we are when sitting behind the wheel, mistakes occur due to our own or others' faults. However, it is also true that sometimes we act over-smart, trying to break the rules, thinking we’ll get out of it without getting caught or harming others. While at times, you might be able to get off without getting caught, that’s not the case every time. Once caught committing an LTO violation, you’ll be imposed with fines and penalties.

Therefore, every Filipino driver must have a clear idea of the implications of traffic violations. Not only will it lead to the imposition of fines and penalties, but it will also have a long-term effect on your driving privileges and vehicle registration status.

In this article, we’ll discuss traffic violations and their implications in detail, so let's get started. But first, it is important to have an overview of traffic regulations in the Philippines.

Traffic regulations in the Philippines - An overview

The Land Transportation and Traffic Code, along with several ordinances enacted by the local government units called the LGUs, oversees traffic regulations in the country. Furthermore, the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) plays a significant role in enforcing traffic rules and regulations across Metro Manila. Together, they work to ensure road safety, minimize traffic congestion, and enforce fines and penalties.

Government Bodies	Role in Traffic Regulation
Land Transportation and Traffic Code	Takes care of motor vehicle registration and operation Enforces traffic laws Licenses drivers Empowers the LTO to impose fines/penalties, revoke driver’s license Publishes traffic-related rules and regulations
Local Government Units	Traffic violations involving local ordinances
Joint Administrative Orders	Specify fines, penalties, and procedures for several traffic-related offenses
Administrative Adjudication Rules	Reviews the merits of a traffic violation

Traffic violations and initial action

What happens when a traffic violation takes place? What is the first course of action by the traffic regulator? In most cases, violations are recorded via the issuance of a ticket or apprehension of the violator. The traffic violation ticket is presented by the concerned officer and serves as a notice to the violator mentioning the breach and the penalty imposed.

In the Philippines, there are two types of traffic tickets - notice of violation and summons or tickets for more severe offenses.

Notice of Violation	Issued for minor traffic violations and is usually payable via administrative means.
Summon/Ticket for More Severe Offenses	Issued for more serious traffic offenses involving hearings or the judiciary's intervention.

Traffic violations and immediate consequences

Some common traffic violations that a car owner or driver might commit include but are not limited to

• Reckless driving
• Driving without a valid license or with an expired license
• Driving an unregistered vehicle or one with an expired registration
• Illegal parking
• Obstruction of traffic
• Disregarding the  traffic signs and symbols
• Failure to wear a seatbelt
• Violation of the  number-coding scheme

Also Read: All you need to know about seatbelts: Rules, penalties, & more

Note that each traffic violation is resolved via fine, penalty, and legal proceedings. However, when such issues are left unresolved, not pursued, or concluded, they have implications that the parties involved must understand.

Let us now have a look at the penalties imposed by the authorities over some of the common traffic violations. The table below gives a detailed description -

Traffic Violation	Penalty	Description
Driving without a valid license	PHP 3000 Unlicensed or improperly licensed driver: Disqualified from getting a driver’s license & driving for a year after the payment of a fine	This applies to individuals without a license, with an expired license, or a suspended/revoked license. It also applies to student drivers driving without a duly licensed driver.
Not wearing a seat belt	1st offense - PHP 1000 2nd offense - PHP 2,000 3rd & subsequent offense - PHP 5,000 & one week license suspension	This applies to both the driver and passengers not wearing seat belts at any given time. Also, this applies if children 6 years old or below are found seated in the front seat.
Reckless driving	1st offense - PHP 2000 2nd offense - PHP 3000 3rd & subsequent offense - PHP 10,000 & a 6 month license suspension/revocation	This applies to drivers with reckless driving, including aggressive overtaking, ignoring traffic signals, and excessive speeding.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs	No physical injury or killing someone: PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000  Physical injuries: PHP 150,000 to PHP 250,000 Homicide: PHP 350,000 to PHP 500,000	If a non-professional driver drives under the influence, the first conviction leads to an 18-month license suspension, and the second conviction is perpetual revocation. As for a professional driver, there’s immediate perpetual revocation upon conviction.
Driving a vehicle with unauthorised modifications	PHP 5,000	This includes altering the color of the vehicle without LTO’s approval or getting modifications done beyond the manufacturer’s specifications. The vehicle might get impounded until unauthorized modifications are taken care of and the fine is paid.
Driving a right-hand drive vehicle	PHP 50,000	If you are caught driving a right-hand drive vehicle which is prohibited in the Philippines. The car will be impounded until necessary corrections are made and the fine is settled.

 

You can read more about the violations, penalties, and fines a driver may face in the Philippines in our two-part series -  Part 1  &  Part 2.

Traffic violations & impact of vehicle registration

Traffic violations and their immediate impact are not just restricted to fines, penalties, and license-related restrictions. Certain violations have an unpleasant impact on your vehicle registration status. Worrisome, right?

The table below mentions such traffic violations that impact a vehicle’s registration status, so let’s check them out and make sure never to be a part of such violations.

Violation	Penalty	Description
Driving an unregistered or improperly registered vehicle	PHP 10,000	It is a senior offense to drive a vehicle that’s not registered, has an expired registration or operates with a fake or unauthorised plate.  If non-registration exceeds a month, the vehicle might be impounded until proper registration is acquired and all fines are paid.
Smoke belching	1st offense: PHP 2,000 2nd offense: PHP 4,000 3rd offense: PHP 6,000	Such motor vehicles get impounded and their number plates withheld until they pass the emission test and the owner attends a seminar on pollution control.  For a third-time offense, there is a suspension of MV registration.
Fraud related to MV registration or renewal	PHP 3,000	Such MVs are impounded and barred from registration for one year from the payment of the fine.

Traffic violations & other implications

We have discussed the fines and penalties that a car owner faces when he/she commit a traffic violation. Furthermore, light has been shed on situations where traffic violations impact the vehicle's registration. But that’s not all, there’s more to traffic violations and their implications.

Here are the long-term implications of such crimes -

• Compromised eligibility for a 10-year driver’s license - The Republic Act 10930, requires a driver to have a clean record to get a driver’s license with 10-year validity. However, in case of a history of violation, even if settled, they are only eligible for a 5-year license upon renewal.

Also Read: Your guide to scoring a 10-year LTO Driver’s License

• Impact on vehicle registration renewal - In the Philippines, traffic violations significantly impact the vehicle registration renewal process. Violations like overloading, illegal use of license plates, repeated minor violations, or any violation that leads to court conviction, potentially lead to denial of registration renewal, depending on the severity of the issue.
• Suspension of registration - If a motor vehicle is caught in the commission of any of the mentioned violations, its LTO registration might get suspended. The list includes - driving without a license, illegal use of license and number plates, not following maximum freight and passenger capacity, incorporation of barred vehicle accessories by the LTO, and violating road & traffic rules. Stay tuned, as we’ll soon be elaborating on this particular point in our upcoming blog, so stay tuned.

Also Read: Step-by-step guide to checking LTO violations and penalties online

Tips to avoid the adverse consequences of traffic violations

• Adherence to traffic laws - Make sure to obey all traffic rules, regulations, symbols, and signs. Obey the speed limit mentioned for an area, and avoid reckless driving at all times.
• Regular maintenance - Take your vehicle out for regular maintenance and inspections. This will ensure it meets the safety and emission standards. Also, address issues related to vehicle conditions that could prompt a violation.
• Proper documentation -Always carry along essential documentation while out on the go. This includes your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance documents.
• Registration renewal - Make sure your car’s registration papers are up-to-date, this will help avoid potential penalties.

Also Read: Learn how to clear your unsettled traffic violations online

Bottom line

Traffic violations are no joke and need to be taken pretty seriously in the Philippines. They are accompanied by significant fines and penalties along with impounding of the vehicle and restrictions on the driver’s license validity and vehicle registration status, in some cases. Therefore, it becomes essential for every Filipino to understand these implications, follow traffic rules, and contribute to road safety. Also, make it a point to address the traffic tickets on time, which is up to 15 days from the date of apprehension; if not, there is a high possibility of suspension or revocation of the license.

Also Read: New year, same ride: Fresh car care habits for 2025