How to Get a PNP-HPG Clearance for Motor Vehicles

If you are a first-time car owner or planning to buy a used vehicle, you might be wondering how to transfer the ownership of your ride to your name. This is not only a legal requirement but also a way to ensure that the vehicle is free from any criminal or civil liabilities. One of the documents that you need to secure for this process is the Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate (MVCC) from the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).

Getting the MVCC might seem daunting, especially if you have never stepped inside a police station before. But don’t worry, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about securing a PNP-HPG MV Clearance Certificate in a painless way. This guide will only focus on getting an MVCC for the transfer of ownership of vehicles and the change of color.

What is the PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate?

A PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate (MVCC) is a document that verifies the legal status of your vehicle in the Philippines. It is issued by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), the main agency responsible for road safety and security. The MVCC certifies that your vehicle is not on the list of wanted or stolen vehicles and that it has not been involved in any crime, accident, or violation as of the date of issuance. You need this document for various transactions with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), such as car registration, transfer of ownership, change of color, and change of body design. To obtain this document, you need to submit some requirements and bring your vehicle to the nearest PNP-HPG office for inspection. You can find more details about the process on the PNP-HPG website or in this guide.

Requirements for a PNP-HPG MVCC

Please note that these requirements are for those who are transferring ownership and changing the color of their vehicles. To obtain a PNP-HPG MVCC for these purposes, the vehicle owner must submit the following requirements¹:

Transfer of Ownership

1. Original deed of sale or Writ of Execution from the court authorizing the transfer.
2. Original LTO Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (C.R.)
3. Original copy of cancellation/release/assumption of chattel mortgage (if the vehicle is mortgaged)
4. Original copy of Secretary’s Certificate (if the vehicle is acquired from a company or corporation)
5. Original copy of special power of attorney (SPA) (if vehicle sale was made through a representative)
6. Certification from the insurance company that subject MV was not declared a total loss or wreck prior to sale (if the vehicle was acquired from an insurance company)
7. Macro-etching certificate (vehicle engine and chassis stencil in LTO-authorized blue form)
8. TIN of the vendor and vendee or two valid primary IDs for both

Change of Color

1. Original LTO OR CR (official receipt and certificate of registration)
2. Original affidavit of change of color (see sample) duly notarized and executed or signed by the owner and painter
3. Macro-etching certificate or stencil of engine and chassis number in LTO blue form

How to Apply for a PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate?

To get this certificate, you need to follow these steps:

STEP 1: Prepare the original and photocopies of the required documents. You can find the list of documents on the PNP-HPG website or in this guide.

STEP 2: Drive your vehicle to the nearest PNP-HPG MV Clearance Division (MVCD) office. You can check the locations of the offices on the PNP-HPG website. They are open from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., without a noon break. Some of these stations are located inside the LTO premises, which can make your transfer of motor vehicle ownership easier.

If the vehicle is registered at the LTO main office (meaning the mother file of the registration is at the East Avenue branch), you need to secure a certified true copy of the requirements at the LTO main before applying for the PNP vehicle clearance. This additional step is required by the PNP-HPG.

However, if you are near the PNP-HPG main headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, it is better to apply for MVCC there. All LTO branches across the country accept the certificate that Camp Crame issues. On the other hand, if you get the PNP-HPG clearance for the transfer of ownership from a satellite station, you can only use it at the LTO branch in the same area of jurisdiction.

After parking your car at the HPG grounds, open the hood of your car and turn off the engine. This is to allow cooling of the engine prior to macro-etching of the engine number.

STEP 3: Get an MVCC application form from the Receiving Section or download it from here. Fill it out with the required information.

STEP 4: Submit the application form and the documents to the Receiving Section. The officer will review your submissions and issue you a Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) order of payment form.

STEP 5: Go to the nearest Landbank branch and pay the clearance fee of ₱300.00 for the physical inspection, plus other LTO fees depending on your transaction. Make a photocopy of the payment slip.

STEP 6: Return to the PNP-HPG office and present the payment slip to the officer. You will receive an action slip, MVC application form, and claim stub. Fill out the application form.

STEP 6: Proceed to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Section for the physical inspection and macro-etching examination of your vehicle’s engine and chassis number. This will be done by a vehicle inspector and a Crime Laboratory Service Technician. They will record the information on four copies of the macro-etching certificate that have no carbon paper.

Do not leave your vehicle when the stencil is being taken. You can help them speed up the process by giving them a rag and/or a flashlight. You may also tip them PHP 50 if you want, but this is optional.

STEP 7: Return the following day or whatever date and time is indicated on the claim stub. This will give HPG time to process your clearance. This includes initial processing, record verification, encoding and printing of the clearance certificate, counter-checking, final processing, sorting, and stamping.

STEP 8: Claim your MVCC from the Releasing Section by presenting your claim stub.

Getting your MVCC is a long and tedious process. It can take at least 16 hours and 45 minutes to complete. You need to be patient and prepared for the waiting time. Bring some food, water, and entertainment to keep yourself comfortable and occupied while you wait for your certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions about getting a PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate:

1. Does a PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate expire?

Yes. You have 7 days to register your vehicle at your mother LTO branch after getting the MVCC. The clearance will expire after this period, and you will have to get a new one for any LTO-related transactions.

2. Can I pay for the MVCC through online payment?

Yes. Paying at any Landbank branch can be a hassle because of the long lines. You can avoid this by paying for the MV clearance fee online through the LANDBANK Electronic Payment Portal (EPP). Just select Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group as the merchant name and Transfer of Ownership or Change of Color as the transaction type.

3. Do I really need to bring my vehicle to HPG for the clearance?

Yes. The Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group is no longer accepting applications for motor vehicle clearance certificates unless the concerned vehicles are presented at their office for “macro-etching.”²

Summary

A PNP-HPG MVCC is a necessary document for anyone who wants to transfer ownership of their vehicle to their name. It proves that the vehicle is not stolen, involved in any crime, or has any pending cases. However, obtaining an MVCC can be a tedious and time-consuming process, normally taking more than 16 hours to complete.

This guide provides a detailed and comprehensive step-by-step process on how to get an MVCC without any hassle. It covers everything from preparing the necessary requirements, going to the nearest PNP-HPG office, undergoing inspection and verification, paying the fees, and claiming the certificate.

Following this guide can help you avoid delays, errors, or scams that might occur along the way. You also do not need to rely on any fixers to secure your MVCC, as you can do it yourself with ease and confidence.

1. https://hpg.pnp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MVClearance.pdf ↩︎
2. Borromeo, Rene U. “HPG-7: No Show, No Vehicle Clearance.” Philstar.com, February 10, 2011. https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2011/02/10/655741/hpg-7-no-show-no-vehicle-clearance. ↩︎