Motorcycle Registration Renewal Guide: Online and In-Person

Owning a motorcycle in the Philippines comes with certain responsibilities, such as keeping your vehicle in good condition and following the traffic rules. Another important duty is to renew your motorcycle registration every year with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). This is not only a legal requirement but also a way to ensure your safety and security on the road. However, renewing your registration can be a hassle, especially if you are not familiar with the process or the latest changes in the LTO policies. That’s why we have prepared this guide to help you renew your motorcycle’s LTO registration online or in person, depending on your preference and convenience.

When to Renew Your Motorcycle Registration?

One of the recent changes that you should be aware of is Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2395, which took effect on May 15, 2023¹. This circular allows brand-new motorcycles with an engine displacement of 200 cc and below to have a three-year validity for their initial registration with the LTO. Previously, only motorcycles with an engine displacement of 201 cc and above were eligible for this benefit, while those with lower engine displacements had to renew their registration every year. This means that if you buy a new motorcycle with an engine displacement of 200 cc or less after May 15, 2023, you don’t have to worry about renewing your registration until the third year. However, if you bought your motorcycle before that date, you still have to renew your registration annually.

Are you unsure about when to renew your motorcycle registration? The table below shows the renewal schedule based on your plate number. This table is only applicable if you have already received your plate number for your motorcycle. If you do not have your plate number yet, you will use the date of release from the dealership as the basis for the yearly registration.

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

LAST DIGIT OF THE PLATE NUMBER	MONTH
1	January
2	February
3	March
4	April
5	May
6	June
7	July
8	August
9	September
0	October

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

SECOND TO THE LAST DIGIT OF PLATE	WEEK
1, 2, 3	1st to 7th of the month (1st week)
4, 5, 6	8th to 14th of the month (2nd week)
7, 8	15th to 21st of the month (3rd week)
9, 0	22nd to the last day of the month (4th week)

How to Renew Motorcycle Registration in the LTO Branch

Before heading to the nearest LTO office for renewal processing, it’s essential to have certain documents prepared. Luckily, these documents can be conveniently obtained near the LTO district office, and you will not have a hard time finding them. To further save time, consider acquiring these documents prior to your visit to the LTO office.

Requirements for Motorcycle Registration Renewal at LTO

• Certificate of Cover: Before going to the LTO, purchase Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance from an LTO-accredited insurance provider. This will give you more options to save money on insurance, as the providers inside the LTO premises tend to charge higher rates. For example, they may ask for 350–500 pesos for a CTPL that you can get elsewhere for 250 pesos. Make sure that they will electronically transmit the certificate to LTO.
• 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. An LTO-accredited Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) is performing this test. 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.
• Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (CR): You do not need to submit this document to the LTO, but you need it to get the CTPL and Emission Compliance certificates. They need it to record the motorcycle’s engine and chassis numbers. Make sure you only give them a copy of your CR, not the original one. If you lose the original Certificate of Registration, it will be very difficult to replace it.
• LTO Official Receipt: This is the official receipt from the initial registration of your MC. If you do not have the original one, go to a notary public, then secure an affidavit of loss.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Renew Motorcycle Registration

Now that you have all the documents needed, it is time to renew your motorcycle’s registration.

1. Go to the nearest LTO District Office or LTO Licensing Office. Do not forget to bring the motorcycle for inspection.
2. Go to customer service or the guard on duty and ask for a Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) form.
3. To have your motorcycle inspected, you need to present the MVIR form to an authorized LTO inspection aide. The aide will check your motorcycle’s headlight, signal lights, brakes, and other functional parts. Since May 2023, LTO no longer requires a stencil of the engine and chassis numbers in the plain renewal of vehicle registrations.² The aide will complete the MVIR form on your behalf, so you can relax. However, don’t forget to pay the aide for the service.
4. Once you have the completed MVIR and the required documents, return them to the LTO office. A LTO evaluator will review your documents and send them for processing. If they have a queue number system, get a queue number. You can also ask them to link your motorcycle to your LTMS account for online renewals in the future. You need to have an LTMS account for this. To create one, you can follow this guide: [How to Create an LTMS Account].
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 or she will give you the Official Receipt (OR). Do not ask for the sticker; they do not issue stickers anymore.

Getting your Certificate of Emission Compliance may take up to 3–5 hours, depending on the Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) you choose. This is because the PETC usually has only one test equipment for each fuel type of vehicle. To save time and avoid hassle, you should get your Certificate of Emission Compliance in advance. Some PETCs have a cut-off or threshold policy that may limit your chances of getting it on the same day.

When you ride your motorcycle on public highways in the Philippines, you should always have a copy of the Certificate of Registration (CR) and the original Official Receipt (OR) with you. The CR shows that your vehicle is registered and valid, while the OR shows that you have paid the registration fees. If law enforcement stops you and you don’t have these documents, you could be subject to fines and penalties.

Online Motorcycle Registration Renewal Using LTMS

Since February 14, 2023, the LTO has been accepting vehicle registration renewals online through their Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).³ However, this option is only available if your LTMS account already has your vehicle’s information. To link your motorcycle’s details to LTMS, follow this guide: How to Link Your Motor Vehicle to LTMS Account.

The online renewal of registration is also applicable for plain renewals only. The system does not accept renewals involving ownership changes, pending traffic alarms, or updates to color, engine, or registration. If you are doing one of these along with your registration renewal, you will have to go to the nearest LTO branch and register your vehicle in person.

If you already linked your motorcycle to your LTMS account, but this is your first time trying an online renewal, you can follow the guide below. However, some steps require you to go outside and get some documents in person, as they are not available online.

1. Get a Certificate of Coverage from a reputable insurance provider. Please check out the guide above on how to get one.
2. Bring your motorcycle to a Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) for inspection. They will check your vehicle’s condition and send the inspection report to the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) electronically.
3. Log in to the LTMS using your 15-digit account number and nominated password. A pop-up window will appear, reminding you that your MC is already due for renewal.
4. Click the Vehicle icon then accept the LTMS Terms of Use. Use the drop-down menu to select your vehicle from the list. Select your MC, then click the Next button.
5. Use the drop-down button to select your transaction. Choose the Renewal of Registration and Private MV Online options, then click Next.
6. You don’t need to enter the Certificate of Coverage (COC) and the Inspection Report Number manually, as the system will fill them in automatically based on the data from the PMVIC. To verify the COC and inspection report, click on the arrows under the Verify column. A reference number will appear if they are correct. If not, contact your insurance or PMVIC provider. Click on the Finish button when you are done.
7. To pay for your online renewal, click on the Proceed to Payment button. Choose Gcash as your payment method, since it is the most common one here. Then, click on the Proceed to the Summary button. Check all the details carefully, and press the Submit button when you are satisfied.
8. Read the LTMS disclaimer, then click Accept. The page will redirect to the LTO’s payment processor website. Check the accept button on their Terms and Conditions, then tap the billing details. Tap the Gcash option, then click Continue.
9. It will now redirect to the Gcash payment page. Log in to your Gcash account, then pay the amount indicated on the screen. Click Proceed to go back to the Paynamics page, indicating that the transaction was successful. Tap the Continue button to go back to the LTO Portal.
10. Click the Official Receipt button then click Open. You can now download and print your official receipt

Important Notes:

• The Online Motor Vehicle Renewal of Registration only applies to plain renewals. If you want to change the color of your vehicle or register a modification, you have to do the renewal in person.
• You have to be the current owner of the motorcycle, and your name has to match the one on the Certificate of Registration.
• Only vehicles that have undergone an inspection by a PMVIC are eligible for online renewal. If you choose to use a Private Emission Testing Center, you have to register your vehicle in the LTO office.
• You have to update your Motor Vehicle Details with the latest plate issuance.

How Can I Renew the Registration Without a Plate Number?

If you do not have the LTO plate number yet, you can follow these steps to renew your motorcycle registration. Many motorcycle owners are still waiting for their LTO plate numbers because of the huge backlog in LTO. This means you cannot use the MV file number on the temporary plate or the permanent plate number to check your renewal schedule. You have to use the date of release from the dealership instead. However, you still need a temporary plate number for the emission compliance certificate and the CTPL insurance. To get an assigned temporary plate number, please follow these instructions. These steps only apply to motorcycle owners who do not have their permanent license plates.

• Go to a Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) before going to LTO. Ask the staff to help you get the authorization to use a temporary plate and the printed assigned temporary plate.
• You will pay around 50 pesos for the authorization and the printed assigned temporary plate. They are valid until you get your permanent plate number.
• The PETC personnel will attach the printed temporary plate during the emission testing and the taking of pictures. You need these documents to get CTPL insurance.
• After getting the Certificate of Emission Compliance and CTPL, go to LTO for the registration renewal of your motorcycle (see the above instructions).

Total Cost of Motorcycle Registration Renewal

Owning and driving a motorized vehicle can be expensive. You need to pay for fuel and maintenance, as well as the yearly renewal of your LTO registration. So, how much does it cost to renew your motorcycle’s registration? The following is a breakdown of the fees, which may vary depending on your insurance provider or any penalties for late renewals.

Cost Breakdown of Motorcycle Registration Renewal in LTO Office

FEES	AMOUNT
MVUC	PHP 240.00
Science Tax	PHP 4.50
Legal Research Fee	PHP 10.00
CTPL	PHP 250.00
Emission Test	PHP500.00
TOTAL FEES	PHP 1,004.50

Cost Breakdown of Online Renewal of Motorcycle

FEES	AMOUNT
Registration Fee	PHP 344.50
Legal Research Fee	PHP 10.00
Convenience Fee	PHP 74.61
CTPL	PHP 250.00
MVIC Inspection	PHP 900.00
TOTAL FEES	PHP 1,579.11

Please note that the amount stated above is for plain renewals only and without any penalty due to late renewal. If you register your motorcycle past the LTO’s deadline, you will be charged a penalty fee.

Here is a list of LTO penalty fees for late registration renewal:

LATE REGISTRATION	PENALTY FEE
Beyond the registration week (but not more than 1 month)	PHP 100.00
Beyond the registration month (but not more than 12 months)	PHP 120.00 (50% of the MVUC rate)
Beyond 12 months without apprehension for LTO violations	PHP 120.00+ renewal fee
Beyond 12 months with apprehension for LTO violations	PHP 120.00 + renewal fee for every year of delinquency

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions about motorcycle registration renewal:

1. Is it necessary to renew my motorcycle registration if I only use it on my farm?

If you use your motorcycle exclusively on private roads, such as those found on large farms, you are not required to renew its registration. However, if you use it on public roads to get to your farm, you must renew its registration to comply with the law.

2. Is it possible to renew my motorcycle registration without side mirrors?

No. You will fail the inspection if you do not have side mirrors on your motorcycle. Although they may not be aesthetically pleasing, side mirrors are essential for your safety and the safety of other motorists. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you reinstall your side mirrors and avoid removing them again.

3. Is it possible to link my motorcycle’s information in the LTMS even if it is not registered under my name?

No. To be able to link it to your account, your name should appear in the Certificate of Registration. That is why it is important to transfer its ownership to your name to take advantage of online renewals.

4. Is it possible to renew my motorcycle registration for another three years after the initial three-year registration period?

No, after the initial three-year registration period has lapsed, you must renew your motorcycle registration every year.

5. How long does it take to renew my motorcycle registration?

The renewal process at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is generally fast, taking between 30 minutes and an hour after submitting your documents. However, the step that can take up most of your time is getting the emission compliance certificate. To secure a slot, you need to arrive early at the Private Emission Testing Center (PETC). In my case, I go there at 6 AM, two hours before testing starts. However, even if I arrive early enough, I usually end up being 10th in line due to the number of people who arrive earlier than me. If you arrive at 8 a.m., chances are you won’t get a slot because they only have a limited number of people to serve each day.

To answer your question, it typically takes around 3-5 hours to complete the renewal process. However, this duration can vary depending on the number of people in line at the PETC. If you are lucky enough to secure a single-digit queue number, you can expect to finish the process much faster.”

Conclusion

Renewing your motorcycle registration in the Philippines can be a hassle, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. By following this guide, you will realize that the process 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. Fortunately, you can now complete the motorcycle registration renewal online using the LTMS portal. Before renewing your motorcycle registration, it is important to know when to renew it and what documents are required. Remember that you need to renew your motorcycle registration every year, regardless of how long you have been registered. If you have any further questions or concerns regarding motorcycle registration renewal, I suggest that you contact the Land Transportation Office (LTO) directly for more information. You can reach them through their hotline or visit their website.

1. Tdt. “LTO MC JMT-2023-2395.” Daily Tribune, April 30, 2023. https://tribune.net.ph/2023/05/01/lto-mc-jmt-2023-2395. ↩︎
2. ABS-CBN News. “Stencil of Engine, Chassis Number No Longer Required for Vehicle Registration Renewal,” June 6, 2023. https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/06/23/stencil-of-engine-chassis-number-no-longer-required-for-vehicle-registration-renewal. ↩︎
3. Manila Bulletin. “Renewal of Vehicle Registration Can Now Be Done Online, LTO Says,” n.d. https://mb.com.ph/2023/2/14/renewal-of-vehicle-registration-can-now-be-done-online-lto-says. ↩︎