Fine for Motorists With Insufficient RFID Balance
Updated on July 26 2024
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced plans of enforcing a three-strike policy for erring motorists with insufficient RFID balances last February. Most recently, the TRB has officially issued new guidelines regarding this new rule. Starting May 15, 2021, motorists passing through toll plazas with deficient RFID balances for the third time will pay a P1,000 fine.
Three Strikes, and You're Out
As it turns out, the P1,000 fine is only the tip of the iceberg. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will issue traffic violation tickets to motorists caught violating the three-strike policy. Adding insult to injury is the possible confiscation or revocation of your driver’s license if you insist on bending the rules. Ouch.
The TRB will deploy LTO-deputized traffic enforcers in toll plazas to administer the new three-strike guidelines. The first and second offenses will net a reminder from your friendly traffic enforcer to always top-up your RFID balances. The enforcers will also record your infractions in the TRB database and will issue documents as proof of violating the rules.
Check Your RFID Balance Regularly
As usual, the easiest and most hassle-free way to avoid inconveniences when using Philippine tollways is to check your RFID balances regularly, preferably before driving your car when leaving home or the office. And if your balance is low or insufficient (it happens frequently given the rising cost of toll fees), the TRB is implementing real-time load crediting to all its reloading facilities.
Remember, this new three-strike rule will take effect on May 15, 2021, and will cover all Philippine expressways governed by AutoSweep (SLEX, Skyway, MCX, STAR Tollway, and TPLEX) and EasyTrip (NLEX, SCTEX, CALAX, CAVITEX).
You can reload your AutoSweep and EasyTrip RFIDs at any of over 50,000 reloading sites, including 7-11 stores, Bayad Centers, SM Business Service Centers, Robinsons Business Centers, GCash, Petron and Shell gas stations, Smart Padala, bank partners, and many more.