Motorcycle Self-Registration: How to Register MC in LTO

If you purchase a new motorcycle from an authorized dealer, they usually take care of the three-year LTO registration for you. This means they handle all the documents, fees, and legwork for first-time LTO registration. However, this also means you have to wait for several weeks or even months before you receive the OR/CR, since the dealer often processes all the new motorcycles in one batch at the LTO. Because of the LTO’s “No Registration, No Travel” policy, you cannot ride a motorcycle until you have the OR/CR. For some people, this waiting period is acceptable. But for others who need the motorcycle right away, this is not a viable option.

If you want to get the OR/CR as soon as possible, you can opt to register the motorcycle yourself. It is not a difficult task, as long as you have all the required documents and know the steps to follow. In this article, we will guide you through the process of self-registering motor vehicles, including the documents you need to prepare, the fees you need to pay, and the legal procedure for LTO registration in the Philippines. By following this comprehensive guide, you can get the registration papers ASAP and enjoy riding your new motorcycle without any hassle.

How to Register a Motorcycle in LTO on Your Own?

Registering your motorcycle at the LTO is a mandatory requirement before you can legally drive it on public roads in the Philippines. It is a serious offense to operate an unregistered motorcycle, and you will face harsh penalties if you are caught doing so. The LTO will impose a fine of PHP 10,000 and impound your vehicle until you complete the registration process. Therefore, it is in your best interest to register your motorcycle at LTO as soon as possible.

So, if you really decided to take matters into your own hands, here are the requirements you need to prepare and the actual process of registering it in LTO. However, keep in mind that some dealers do not allow self-registration. Therefore, it is advisable to check with the dealer first before you proceed with your plan.

Requirements for Own Registration of Motorcycle

Here are the documents you need before going to LTO to self-register your motorcycle:

1. PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate: Ask the dealer if it is already available. This document is issued by the PNP-Highway Patrol Group to prove that the vehicle is not stolen or used in illegal activities.
2. Original Sales Invoice: The “casa” will provide the original receipt, or “resibo”.
3. Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR): A CSR indicates that the dealer or importer reported their stocks of motor vehicles and/or their components to the LTO and has complied with the rules and regulations on accreditation and stock reporting. Get it from the casa as well.
4. Certificate of Cover: This is compulsory third-party liability (CTPL) insurance that you can purchase from an LTO-accredited insurance provider. You can save money by buying it from a provider outside the LTO premises, as they tend to charge lower rates than those inside. The provider will electronically transmit the certificate to LTO, but you still need the hard copy of it for LTO.
5. Photocopies of your valid ID: Submit a photocopy of your government-issued ID. Do not forget to bring the original ID for verification purposes.
6. Original Affidavit of Attachment: This document is required only for the registration of a brand-new motorcycle with a side car attached. For other types of motorcycles, this document is not necessary. If you need this document, you can obtain it from the nearest notary public office. It must be signed by both the owner and the mechanic of the motorcycle, and it must indicate the dates when the sidecar was completed and attached.

How to Get the OR/CR in 7 Days

To register your motorcycle, you need to visit the nearest LTO office that handles new vehicle registrations. You can choose any regional, district, or extension office that offers this service. However, you should not go to Driver’s License Renewal Centers (DLRC) in malls because they only process license renewal applications, as their name suggests.

STEP 1: Approach the customer service window or the guard on duty and tell them that you want to register your motorcycle. They will direct you to the evaluator or the person in charge of new registrations.

STEP 2: Submit all the documents for checking. After checking and verifying the documents, they will give you a transmittal form. Fill out the transmittal form and photocopy it. Secure three (3) copies of the transmittal form and submit all the documents to the evaluator. If everything is in order, they will ask you to go to the plate verification window.

STEP 3: Hand over your documents to the LTO personnel(s), where they will assign your plate number. You need to wait for a few minutes until they call your name. Then, you need to proceed to the cashier and pay the necessary fees.

STEP 4: Pay the necessary fees. After paying, the cashier will give you a copy of the transmittal form. He or she will tell you to come back after a week for the issuance of the registration plates, the certificate of registration, and the official receipt.

You can expect the registration process to take about an hour, depending on how busy the office is that day. If you do your registration at LTO East Avenue, you can even get your plate after a week! Please be aware that starting May 15, 2023, all new motorcycles—including those with engines of 200 cc or lower—will have a registration validity of three years.

After the initial three years, you will need to renew the registration of the motorcycle every year, just like other vehicles.

How Much is the Cost of Registration?

Your vehicle’s initial registration will last for three (3) years, which means you need to pay the MVUC fee for the entire duration upfront. Instead of the annual fee of PH 240, you will make a one-time payment of PH 720 for 3 years. You will also have to pay the insurance premium, which is adjusted accordingly. The yearly cost of this is around 450 pesos. For motorcycles with sidecars, there is an additional charge of at least 200 pesos for the notarial fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the frequently asked questions about self-registration of motorcycle to LTO:

1. Can I transfer the registration of my vehicle to another province?

You can renew your vehicle’s registration at any LTO office in the country after the 3-year initial period expires. However, you will have to pay a ₱100 fee for changing the registration venue. This fee will not apply in the following years unless you renew your registration in a different province again.

2. Can I replace the plate number on my motorcycle with a different one?

No, the plate number assigned to your vehicle remains the same even if you change its classification from private to for-hire. If you do make this change, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will simply alter the color of the plate, but the alpha-numeric numbers will stay the same.

3. Can I drive the motorcycle to LTO even if it is still unregistered?

You have a 7-day grace period to drive your motorcycle to LTO without registration. However, if you want to do self-registration, you should do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may face the risk of being apprehended and fined if you take your motorcycle to LTO after the grace period.

Summary

Self-registration is the best option for getting your OR/CR and plate as early as possible when you buy a new motorcycle. The process is not difficult, provided that the dealer gives you all the necessary documents. You can avoid the long wait of months for your OR/CR by doing it yourself. However, you should also be aware that some dealers do not allow buyers to register the vehicle on their own. Therefore, you should always ask the dealers first if they permit self-registration before you make a purchase. This way, you can save yourself from any hassle or disappointment later. We hope this guide has been helpful for you. Good luck and ride safe!