Need to renew your car registration? Here is the step-by-step guide on what to do.

By: Ricardo S. Lazo  for Automart.PH

A car can be our everyday companion for commuting, traveling, or going to work, but with car ownership comes responsibilities which include the duty to register your car annually. An unregistered vehicle is illegal and can be penalized and fined, with fines reaching up to P10,000 depending on the type of vehicle.

To make sure you do not unintentionally get fined, let Automart.PH guide you through the process

Initial Registration

Upon purchase of your vehicle, the dealer will facilitate the initial registration. This initial registration will be valid for three years, after such, an annual renewal would be required, and should be done by you.

Schedule of Renewal

The last digit of the plate number indicates the month for renewal, and the second to the last digit corresponds to the weekly deadline for car registration renewal.  Any motor vehicle that is driven without being officially registered is penalized, which shall cover expired, invalid, or suspended registration, including fake substitutes and replacement of the engine or chassis.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the LTO has been giving multiple extensions for registration renewal, so stay tuned for their announcements.

Steps in Renewing Car Registration

1. Depending on which branch of the LTO you plan to have your vehicle’s registration renewed, you would either need to go to an accredited emissions testing center or Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center to first get your emissions certificate. Call your desired LTO branch to confirm.
2. Bring the required documents for the car’s registration renewal to the nearest LTO regional/sattelite office. These include:
3. Photocopy of your previous Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR)
4. Compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance (CTPL)
5. Note: This can usually be purchased within or near LTO offices, but Automart.PH recommends getting your vehicle insured by trustworthy and credible insurance providers such as Assurance.PH.
6. Proceed to the transaction counter for renewal. The LTO personnel will provide a Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) form and a queue number. Wait until the number is called.
7. Bring the MVIR form to the authorized inspection personnel. They will inspect and examine your vehicle for busted headlights, signal lights, hazard lights, among others. The engine and chassis number will be stenciled.
8. Go back to the Office and submit the fully accomplished MVIR form. The Office evaluator will examine all necessary documents before turning them over to the appropriate staff for processing.
9. Wait for your number to be called and pay the fees. Fees vary depending on the class of your vehicle, usually by weight, but take note that you will be paying much more should the renewal be past the deadline.
10. Go to the Releasing Counter. Wait for your turn until your name is called. The attending staff will then release your Certificate of Registration, along with your new Official Receipt and/or other documents.

Conclusion

Owning a car comes with responsibility; registration comes every year except for brand-new vehicles with a three-year validity period.  LTO has a “No Registration, No Travel” policy. As a precaution, keep your original LTO Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt in a safe place, and only put a photocopy of them inside your vehicle. Remember, it is necessary to register your car before driving off. Failure to do so will result in heavy fines.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for the finest used crossover, check out Automart.PH Certified Used Vehicles. These are restored until they feel like new again. They also come with a five-day money-back guarantee and, for Gold Certified units, a one-year warranty.

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Content Editor Kyle Liong contributed to this story.