Getting a stencil of the engine and chassis numbers has been a standard procedure when renewing the registration of motor vehicles in the Philippines.
For years, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has required this process, despite many motorists saying that it feels like an unnecessary procedure and only adds hassle to the whole renewal process.
Related
- How to book an appointment for driver’s license using LTO Online
- How to renew LTO vehicle registration online
Thankfully, the practice is finally ending. Jay Art Tugade, before stepping down as the LTO Chief, has signed a Memorandum Circular that removes the engine and chassis number stenciling from the registration process.
Signed last May 23, the Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2399 states that the stenciling of the engine and chassis numbers of a motor vehicle is no longer needed for “plain renewal” registration transactions.
However, the LTO highlighted that such vehicles should’ve already undergone and passed physical inspection prior to the approval of the application to ensure the roadworthiness of the vehicle.
This means that your vehicle should’ve undergone inspection from a motor vehicle inspection center (MVIC) and secure a certificate of emission from an emission testing center.