Being mindful of traffic violations and penalty fines is extremely important. It helps you become a better driver because you’ll know the things you should avoid while on the road.
Knowing the right fines and sanctions also means that you know what to say and do once you are apprehended. Now, to help you with that, we’ll explain the LTO fines, violations and penalties in the Philippines.
There are several areas and categories where you might get a Land Transportation Office (LTO) violation. Some violations are driver-related (not wearing seatbelt, no helmet, etc.), as well as violations relating to number plates (plate tampering, improper installation, and more).
LTO can also impose a fine if you’re using a faulty vehicle that may have a defective tail light, smoke-belching, and more.
Today, we’ll be detailing such cases including the amount of the fines charged for violations, and how you can handle them. Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
- Complete list of LTO Violations, Fines, and Penalties in PH
- How to check LTO violations and demerit points?
- What is a Temporary Operator’s Permit?
- Can a traffic enforcer confiscate my driver’s license?
- Can you contest traffic violations and tickets?
- What is No Contact Apprehension Policy?
- How to settle LTO fines and penalties?
Complete list of LTO Violations, Fines, and Penalties in PH
License, Registration-related violations
| Violations | Fines and Penalties |
| License, Registration-related | |
| Driving without a valid license | Php3,000 |
| Driving with a suspended/revoked or improper license | Php3,000 + 1-year disqualification from getting a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle |
| Inappropriate driver’s license restriction code | Php3,000 + 1-year disqualification from getting a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle |
| Holding and using fake or spurious driver’s license | Php3,000 + 1-year disqualification from getting a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle |
| Tourist driving with a foreign license beyond the 90-day period | Php3,000 + 1-year disqualification from getting a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle |
| Student driver driving without an accompanying license driver | Php3,000 + 1-year disqualification from getting a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle |
| Fraud and falsities of fake and spurious OR/CR, plates, CPC, stickers, tags | Php1,000 + Revocation of the franchise/CPC |
| Unregistered motor vehicle | Private Php2,000 Private MC Owner Php10,000 For Hire Driver Php2,0000 For Hire MV Owner Php10,000 + impoundment if violation has exceeded 1 month. To be released after fine payment and issuance of valid registration + impoundment for 1 year in case of undocumented engine with the engine confiscated |
| Fraud in MV registration or renewal | Private and For Hire MV owner Php3,000 + Impoundment and disqualification from getting MV registration for 1 year |
| Allowing an unauthorized or no-license driver to drive PUV | For Hire MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + CPC cancellation |
| Failure to provide correct, complete, and updated operator information and other forms of misrepresentation | For Hire Driver 1st offense: Php1,000 2nd offense: Php1,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php1,000 + CPC cancellation For Hire MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + CPC cancellation |
| Failure to carry driver’s license, Certificate of Registration or Official Receipt (OR/CR) while driving | Php1,000 |
| No franchise/CPC or evidence of franchise | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
Driving without or invalid driver’s license
Before leaving the house, office, or school, make sure you have your driver’s license with you. Or if you know you already lost your license, don’t even bother planning on taking your car out.
It could also mean that your license has expired, suspended, revoked, or any other issues.
If you’re apprehended, driving without a license can result in a Php3,000 fine. The same fine will be paid by student drivers if you’re driving without a licensed companion.
Driving with fraudulent OR/CR, CPC, etc
It goes without saying that committing fraud is illegal. That said, don’t try to use illegal documents like OR/CR, CPC, plates, etc., when driving — whether you’re a private or public motorist.
Unregistered vehicle
You can face a fine of up to Php10,000 and up to a year of impoundment if you’re driving an unregistered vehicle. The same applies to public transport drivers and owners.
Driver-related violations
| Violations | Fines and Penalties |
| Commission of a crime | Php10,000 + Confiscation of driver’s license and disqualification from getting one + impoundment of the vehicle |
| Not wearing a seatbelt | 1st offense: Php1,000 2nd offense: Php2,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php5,000 + 1-week suspension of driver’s license |
| Reckless Driving | 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php3,000 + 3mo license suspension 3rd offense: Php10,000 + 6mo license suspension or revocation |
| Distracted Driving | 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd offense: Php15,000 + 3-month driver’s license suspension 4th offense: Php20,000 + driver’s license revocation |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal drugs | No physical injuries committed: Php20,000 to Php80,000 + 3mo imprisonment Physical injuries committed: Php100,000 to Php200,000 fine + penalty stated in Article 263 of the Revise Penal Code Homicide committed: Php100,000 to Php200,000 fine + penalty stated in Article 249 of the Revise Penal Code *Non-pro license to be confiscated and suspended for 12 months for 1st conviction. Perpetually revoked on 2nd conviction. Pro license to be confiscated and perpetually revoked on 1st conviction and will be disqualified from getting any driver’s license. |
| Not wearing a helmet | 1st offense: Php1,500 2nd offense: Php3,000 3rd offense: Php5,000 4th and succeeding offenses: Php10,000 |
| Wearing a substandard or helmet without an ICC sticker | 1st offense: Php3,000 2nd offense: Php5,000 |
| Hiring a reckless, discourteous, insolent, or arrogant driver | 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Trip cutting | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| No “No Smoking” sign or allowing personnel/passenger to smoke inside the vehicle | For hire driver 1st offense: Php1,000 2nd offense: Php1,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php1,000 + CPC cancellation For hire MV owner 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + CPC cancellation |
Commission of a crime
If ever you committed a crime using a motor vehicle, you’d face a Php10,000 fine, your car will be impounded, your license will be confiscated, and you’d be barred from getting one ever again.
Not wearing a seat belt
Safety should always be a top priority. However, not a lot of people seem to know that — so much so that LTO even had to create a violation for drivers who don’t wear a helmet.
Those who will violate the rule will get a penalty of up to Php5,000. A similar fine will be imposed to motorists who put 6-year-olds and below on the front seat. Their license will also be suspended for a week.
Reckless Driving
Another rule that was created to promote safety. Reckless drivers who don’t practice safe driving may face a fine of up to Php10,000 and will have their license suspended for up to 6 months.
Distracted driving and driving under the influence
For your safety and everyone on the road, you should be 100% focused when driving. You can get massive penalties when you commit distracted driving or driving under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal drugs. Even heavier when you commit other crimes because of it like homicide or physical injuries.
Not wearing a helmet or a proper one
Motorcycle riders, listen up. By now, you should already know how important it is to wear a helmet on your rides. If you don’t, LTO will remind you by imposing a fine of Php1,500 up to Php10,000 when you fail to wear this safety gear.
In addition, make sure you wear the proper helmet, particularly ones with an ICC sticker, which ensures that the helmet is of good quality and fits within the standard. Failure to use the right helmet may lead to a Php3,000 penalty for the first offense, and Php5,000 for the second offense.
Hiring improper drivers for PUVs, trip cutting
Operators who would hire reckless, discourteous, insolent, or arrogant drivers may get a fine of up to Php15,000 and even risk their CPC.
Trip cutting is also illegal and could be fatal for the operator as he/she may face a fine of up to Php15,000.
Smoking inside a public vehicle
Public vehicles should post a sign that reminds both the passenger and the personnel to not smoke inside. If they persist, both the driver and the motor vehicle owner might get fined and even CPC cancellation.
Road-related
| Violations | Fines and Penalties |
| Illegal parking | Php1,000 |
| Driving in areas not for traffic or parking is not allowed | Php1,000 |
| Disregarding traffic signs and rules | Php1,000 |
| Not dimming the headlights when another vehicle is approaching | Php1,000 |
| Illegal turn | Php1,000 |
| Illegal overtaking | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking at unsafe distance | Php1,000 |
| Cutting an overtaken vehicle | Php1,000 |
| Failure to give way to an overtaking vehicle | Php1,000 |
| Increasing speed when being overtaken | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking when left side is not visible or clear | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking upon a crest of a grade | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking upon a curve | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking at any railway grade crossing | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking at an intersection | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking on “men working” or “caution” signs | Php1,000 |
| Overtaking at no overtaking zone | Php1,000 |
| Failure of the vehicle on the left/right to yield the right of way | Php1,000 |
| Failure of the driver of any vehicle upon the highway within a business or residential district to yield the right of way | Php1,000 |
| Failure to stop before traversing a “through highway” or railroad crossing | Php1,000 |
| Failure of a vehicle entering a highway from a private road or driver upon a highway to yield the right of way | Php1,000 |
| Failure to yield the right of way to ambulance, police or fire department vehicles | Php1,000 |
| Failure to yield the right of way at a “through highway” or a “stop intersection” | Php1,000 |
| Failure to give a proper signal | Php1,000 |
| Illegal turn – failure of the driver of Motor Vehicle intending to run to the right at an intersection | Php1,000 |
| Illegal turn – failure of the driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left | Php1,000 |
| Failure to stop motor and notch handbrake of Motor Vehicle when unattended | Php1,000 |
| Unsafe towing | Php1,000 |
| Obstruction | Php1,000 |
| As per LTFRB MC No. 2011-004: * Wearing of slippers * Not wearing uniform * No “No Smoking” sign * Overloading * Failure to give fare discounts | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Colorum violation: A PUV operating without a proper authority from LTFRB; outside approved route; differently from authorized route; expired CPC and w/o application for extension of validity | 1st offense Bus: Php1,000,000 Trucks: Php200,000 Jeeps: Php50,000 Vans: Php200,000 Sedan: Php120,000 Tricycle: Php6,000 + 3-month impoundment + Revocation of entire CPC where the vehicle belongs to (except if it has private/green plate) + Vehicle to be blacklisted and all other authorized PUV units included on the CP + Revocation of registration and other units in the franchise |
| For PUJ, PUB, UV: No panel route | For hire driver 1st offense: Php1,000 2nd offense: Php1,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php1,000 + CPC cancellation For hire MV owner 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + CPC cancellation |
Illegal parking or driving in areas where parking is not allowed
There are signs that state if a place can’t be parked on. Follow those rules or get a penalty of Php1,000.
If you want to qualify for the 10-year driver’s license, make sure to strictly obey traffic rules, because simple violations like this one could cost you the privilege of getting a license with longer validity.
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or prohibited drugs
It goes without saying, don’t do drugs or drive while drunk on alcohol as it could harm you and anyone on the road — from other motorists and pedestrians.
Driving under the influence could lead to physical injuries and even homicide that could cost you a fine of up to Php500,000 and even have your license revoked.
Disregarding traffic signs and rules
Everyone should follow traffic signs and rules. Failure to follow basic traffic rules like committing illegal turns, illegal overtaking, failure to give proper signal, yielding the right of way issues, and others can lead to a Php1,000 penalty.
Public vehicle rules as per LTFRB MC No. 2011-004
According to an LTFRB memorandum, public vehicle drivers should be wearing the proper footwear and uniform, should provide the right discount, do not overload their vehicles, and should post a no smoking sign. Failure to comply can lead to a Php1,000 fine for the driver and up to Php15,000 fine and cancellation of CPC for the MV owner.
Colorum and no panel route violations
Colorums can face a 3-month impoundment and even revocation of their CPC and more. No panel route is also illegal for PUJ, UV, and PUB. Owners could possiblly face up to a Php15,000 fine and have their CPC canceled.
Passenger-related violations
| Violations | Fines and Penalties |
| Allowing passengers to sit on the step-board, mudguard, or running board | Php1,000 |
| Having passengers on top of vehicle (except truck helper) | Php1,000 |
| Hitching or allowing a passenger or bicycle, motorcycle, tricycle, or skate roller to hitch to a motor vehicle | Php1,000 |
| Motorcycle carrying more than 1 back rider or cargo other than luggage carriers, saddle bags | Php1,000 |
| Refusal to render service to public or convey destination | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Overcharging/Undercharging fare | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd offense: Php15,000 |
| Not providing fare discount | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Not displaying fare matrix | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Picking and dropping passengers outside terminal | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| For PUV: failure to require passengers to wear seatbelt/post seatbelt signage | Php3,000 |
Illegal passenger, cargo boarding
A driver can face a Php1,000 if his/her passengers/cargo would board and be situated in prohibited parts of the vehicle.
Motorcycles carrying prohibited amount of passenger, cargo
Motorcycle should only have 1 passenger acting as the back ride and should only carry luggage carriers and saddle bags.
Refusal to render service, overcharging or not giving fare discounts
Public vehicle drivers and owners should not refuse to render service and convey their destination. Plus, they should only charge the right amount of fare and provide discounts to students, PWDs, and others who are eligible to get one. The fare matrix should also be displayed at all times.
The public vehicles who don’t have seatbelts available for their passengers could also face a fine of Php3,000.
Cargo-related violations
| Violations | Fines and Penalties |
| Load beyond projected width without permit | Php1,000 |
| Axle Overloading | Fine amounting to 25% of MVUC |
| Bus/truck with cargo exceeding 160kg | Php1,000 |
| Carrying illegal and/or prohibited cargo | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
Overloading
Overloading public vehicles with passengers, axle overloading, bus/trucks with cargoes exceeding 160kg, and loading beyond the projected width without permit could cost the driver a fine.
Number plate-related violations
| Violations | Fines and Penalties |
| Improper number plate installation | Php5,000 |
| Improper third-party stickers / tampering LTO stickers | Php5,000 |
| License Plates tampering | Php5,000 |
| Unlawful transfer or use of legally-issued plates, stickers, or tags | Php12,000 |
| Motorcycle driving with a child | 1st offense: Php3,000 2nd offense: Php5,000 3rd offense: Php10,000 + 1-month driver’s license suspension 4th offense: Driver’s license revocation |
Improper number plate installation
A license plate is essentially a unique identifier for your vehicle. This is why it’s really important that you attach your number plate properly to your vehicle.
Properly installing your plate also ensures that your vehicle and other motorists are safe from it being detached. If not, you could get fined for Php5,000.
Improper third-party stickers/tampering LTO stickers
LTO stickers were not installed just for looks. It’s important that they are installed properly and not tampered with. It is also an offense when you attach improper third-party stickers to your vehicle.
Violating such a rule will cost you a fine of Php5,000.
License Plates tampering
Tampering license plates or using unauthorized plates will cost you a fine of Php5,000. The illegal plates will be confiscated as well.
Unlawful transfer or use of legally-issued plates, stickers, or tags
When you’ve been legally issued a vehicle plate or sticker, it goes without saying that it is only you that can use it. To put it simply, this means that illegally transferring such items to other vehicles is illegal.
If you violate this rule, you, the owner, will have to pay a fine of Php12,000 and your registration, plate, and official receipt will be suspended for two years.
Vehicle, Parts and Accessories-related
| Violations | Fines and Penalties |
| Driving a vehicle used in crime | Php10,000 + Confiscation of driver’s license and disqualification from getting one + impoundment of the vehicle |
| Driving with defective lights, brakes, etc. | Php5,000 |
| Smoke Belching | 1st offense: Php2,000 2nd offense: Php4,000 3rd offense: Php6,000 + 1-year vehicle registration suspension |
| Not providing canvass cover to cargos or freight of trucks | Php1,000 |
| Operating unit/s with defective parts and accessories | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC Private MV Owner Php5,000 |
| Tampered, defective taximeter, not driving with on, or using an old seal taximeter | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Broken, tampered, joined, fake, reconnected, or altered sealingwire | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| No sign board | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Not having fire extinguisher and Stop/Go signage | Driver Php1,000 MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 + 30-day impoundment 2nd offense: Php10,000 3rd and succeeding offense: Php15,000 + Cancellation of CPC |
| Unauthorized motor vehicle modification | Private MV Owner Php5,000 For Hire MV Owner Php5,000 + Impoundment upon inspection, correction of defect and payment of fine |
| Operating a right-hand driver motor vehicle | Private MV Owner Php50,000 For Hire MV Owner Php50,000 + Impoundment until defect is corrected and deemed roadworthy and fine paid |
| Vehicle running with improper/defective/unauthorized devices, accessories, equipment and parts | Private MV Owner Php50,000 For Hire MV Owner Php50,000 + Impoundment until the accessory/device/equipment is removed or properly installed and fines paid + Confiscation of unauthorized accessory/device/plate. |
| Failure to provide proper body markings | For Hire MV Owner 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + CPC cancellation |
| For PUB and TX: Violation of color scheme or design / adoption or new color design without authority from the board | For hire driver 1st offense: Php1,000 2nd offense: Php1,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php1,000 + CPC cancellation For hire MV driver 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + CPC cancellation |
| For PUJ, PUB, TTS, UV: Failure to display International Symbol of Accessibility and/or not designating seats for PWDs | For hire driver 1st offense: Php1,000 2nd offense: Php1,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php1,000 + CPC cancellation For hire MV driver 1st offense: Php5,000 2nd offense: Php10,000 + 30-day impoundment 3rd offense: Php15,000 + CPC cancellation |
Driving with defective lights, brakes, etc.
Always check if your headlight is working properly. It will help you keep safe, and other vehicles around you, at night.
Here are other parts of your vehicle you should check if they work properly to ensure you’re safe on the road and from LTO violations:
- Lights: headlights, brake lights, etc.
- Braking system
- Horns
- Warning devices
- Blinkers
- Wipers
- Other accessories, equipment, and devices made for road safety
Smoke belching
Smoke belching can harm other motorists, pedestrians, and the ecosystem as a whole. This is why emission tests are a thing.
If your vehicle is caught smoke-belching or emitting dark and harmful smoke, you may be treated with a fine of Php2,000 up to Php6,000 plus a 1-year suspension of vehicle registration.
Public vehicles with defective equipment
Tampered, defective taximeter, not driving with on, or using an old seal taximeter; Broken, tampered, joined, fake, reconnected, or altered sealing wire; no signboard; Vehicle running with improper/defective/unauthorized devices, accessories, equipment and parts are all illegal and both the drivers and operators may face a fine when apprehended.
Public/Private vehicles with unauthorized modifications
Private and public vehicle owners may face a fine if their vehicle has unauthorized modifications or has a right-hand driver layout.
Public vehicles with improper color, no accessibility sign
PUB and TX should have the proper color scheme and design. Meanwhile, PUB, PUJ, TTS, and UV should have an international symbol of accessibility and should designate a special seating for PWDs.
Related
- LTO Classification of E-Bikes and E-Scooters: Helmet, License and Registration Requirements
- LTO Penalties for Expired Motorcycle Registration: Fees, Schedule, and FAQs
- How to book an appointment for driver’s license using LTO Online
How to check LTO violations and demerit points?
Traditionally, you have to check your violations by physically going to an LTO branch or satellite office. Now, you can do it at the comfort of your home using the LTO Online Portal (LTMS). Both the online and offline methods will also show you the total amount of the fine.
What is a Temporary Operator’s Permit?
A Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) serves as a temporary license after yours has been confiscated after committing a violation.
How long can you use the temporary permit?
You can use the Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) for 72 hours or 3 days only. By then you should have already settled your fine or penalty as the validity of the temporary permit can not be extended.
Can a traffic enforcer confiscate my driver’s license?
While traffic enforcers can apprehend you for violating traffic rules, only an LTO officer and its deputized agents can confiscate your license. That’s under the Republic Act 4136 also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
Can you contest traffic violations and tickets?
Yes. But the process differs depending on the agency that made the apprehension. Essentially, what you want to do is make an affidavit explaining what happened and submit it immediately.
What is No Contact Apprehension Policy?
The No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) uses security cameras and other related equipment to apprehend road violators, instead of the usual traffic enforcers. You can learn more about it here.
How to settle LTO fines and penalties?
You can settle your violations and fines by going to LTO branches and satellite offices, or through the LTO Online Portal. For MMDA tickets, here’s how you can settle it online.
How long can I settle my violation?
Motorists have 15 days from the date of apprehension to settle their violation, given that the apprehension has already been reported and encoded to the LTO-IT system.
What happens to unsettled violations?
If the violation was not settled after 15 days, the violator’s driver’s license may be suspended or revoked.
These are everything you should know about LTO violations, fines, penalties, and how to deal with them. If you have further questions, let us know in the comments below and someone from the team or the community will help you out.