LTO Violations, Fines, & Penalties in 2022 [Complete List]

Last Updated – Sep 14, 2022 @ 12:22 pm

Metro Manila’s highways and inner streets, most of the time, seem chaotic for both veteran drivers and newbies alike.

Some say a good way to test your mettle is to drive along manila’s busy streets where the “rules” seem non-existent. 

However, amongst the rowdy drivers and the law-abiding ones, no one can say that they’ve never been caught by traffic enforcers.

May it be a wrong turn, beating the red light, or just plain lack of focus. All drivers have a story to tell about their encounter/s with the law and how much of a hassle it was for them.

So now we bring you this list of violations, fines, and penalties you may face during your daily drives. May this article bring clarity and make you more aware and also, hopefully, make you a wiser driver.

LTO Traffic and Administrative Violations

Violations	Fines & Penalties
Driving without a valid Driver’s License or Conductor’s Permit	P3,000 + disqualification from getting a driver’s license for 1 year
Driving a motor vehicle used in the commission of a crime upon conviction by a regular court of competent jurisdiction	P10,000 + confiscation & revocation of license + vehicle impoundment
Commission of a crime in the course of apprehension upon conviction by a regular court of competent jurisdiction	P10,000 + confiscation & revocation of license + vehicle impoundment + disqualification from getting a driver’s license for 5 years
Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or substance upon final conviction by a regular court of competent jurisdiction (Section 12, R.A. 10586)	Starts at P20,000 + confiscation & suspension of license for 1 year
Reckless driving	1st Offense – P2,000 2nd Offense – P3,000 + suspension of license for 3 months (6 months for 3rd offense) Subsequent Offense – P10,000 + revocation of license for 2 years
Submission of fake documents in relation to the application for a driver’s license (new/renewal)	P3,000 + disqualification from getting a driver’s license for 1 year
Failure to wear the prescribed seatbelt device	1st Offense – Php 1,000.00 2nd Offense – Php 2,000.00 3rd Offense – Php 5,000.00 + suspension of license for 1 week
Failure to require his/her passenger(s) to wear the prescribed seatbelt device (Section 12, R.A. 8750)	P3,000
Failure to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet or failure to require the back rider to wear the standard protective helmet, under R.A. 10054	1st Offense – P1,500 2nd Offense – P3,000 3rd Offense – P5,000 4th & Succeeding Offenses- P10,000
Failure to carry Driver’s License, Certificate of Registration, or Official Receipt (OR) while driving a motor vehicle	P1,000
All other violations of traffic rules and regulations	P1,000

1. Driving without a Driver’s License

Before starting your engine, it is a good habit to always double-check if you have your driver’s license with you.

Because if it is not with you, expired, suspended, or revoked you will be fined: Php 3,000. You may also be disqualified from receiving a driver’s license and you may also not be allowed to drive for one year. So always remember to bring your license and be vigilant in renewing it.

For student drivers, you will also be fined the same amount if you are caught driving without someone with a valid license.

2. Not wearing your seatbelt/helmet

The seat belt law applies to both the driver and passenger and is one of the most overlooked safety precautions, especially for passengers who are seated at the back of the vehicle.

For the 1st offense, you will be fined: Php 1,000, for the 2nd offense: Php 2,000, and for the 3rd and subsequent offense: Php 5,000. Please keep in mind that the seat belt not only saves your life but also saves you from the hassle of being fined.

For motorcycle riders, the fine for not wearing your helmet for the first offense is Php1,500, 2nd offense Php 3,000, 3rd offense Php 5,000, and for subsequent offense Php 10,000.   

3. Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs

A lot of us have witnessed accidents caused by this violation may it be on the news or a personal experience. 

The fine for this violation starts at Php 20,000 up to 80,000 for accidents without injuries or death. For accidents that have caused damage/injuries, you may be fined from Php 100,000 up to Php 200,000.

For the worst-case scenario where a death of a victim is involved, you may be fined: Php 300,000 to 500,000 and you may also face additional legal penalties.

In addition, this year the LTO stated that drivers/riders who possess a Non-professional license and were caught driving under the influence of illegal substances and/or alcohol may face a 12-month(1 year) suspension of his/her driver’s license for the first offense.

For a Professional license owner, your license will be canceled permanently even if it is only your first offense and you will be disqualified to apply for any kind of driver’s license afterward (read section 12. Penalties of the REPUBLIC ACT No. 10586). 

4. Reckless/careless driving

Sometimes drivers get tempted to go fast and drive recklessly when they see a clear road mostly during the night and the wee hours of the morning.

Also, failure to follow traffic signs and the simple use of your turn signal may cause accidents.

For the first offense, you will get a fine of Php 2,000, 2nd offense: Php 3,000, and for the third offense: Php 10,000. So as much as possible discipline yourself and be alert and follow traffic signs always.

5. Other violations

For other violations like Illegal Parking, Disobeying traffic lights(beating the red light), Driving in prohibited roads/areas, Failure to darken headlamps, and illegal overtaking or turning you will be fined: Php 1,000.

This penalty may also apply to these following violations (via LTMS eLearning):

• Parking
  • In an intersection
  • Within 5 meters of the intersection
  • 4 meters from the driveway entrance
  • Within 4 meters from a fire hydrant
  • In front of a private driveway
  • On the roadway side of any unmoving or parked MV at the curb or edge of the highway
  • At any place where signs of prohibitions have been installed
• Disregarding Traffic Signs
• Allowing passengers on top or cover of a motor vehicle except a truck helper
• Failure to provide canvass cover to cargoes or freight of trucks requiring the same
• Permitting passenger to ride on running board , step board or mudguard of MV while the same in motion
• Failure to dim headlights when approaching another motor vehicle
• Driving in a place not intended for traffic or into place not allowed for parking.
• Hitching or permitting a person or a bicycle, motorcycle, tricycle or skate roller to hitch to a motor vehicle.
• Driving against traffic – failure to pass to the right when meeting persons or vehicles coming towards him.
• Illegal turn – failure to conduct the motor vehicle to the right of the intersection of the highway when turning to the left in going from one highway to another.
• Illegal overtaking – failure to pass to the left when overtaking person or vehicles going to the same direction except when there are two or more lanes for the movement of traffic in one direction.
• Overtaking at unsafe distance – failure to pass at a safe distance to the left of another motor vehicle when overtaking that vehicle.
• Cutting an overtaken vehicle – driving to the right side of the highway after overtaking before his motor vehicle is safely clear of such overtaken vehicle.
• Failure to give way to an overtaking vehicle – failure to give way to another vehicle approaching from the rear that wishes to overtaken his vehicle when the former has given suitable and audible signal.
• Increasing speed when being overtaken – increasing the speed of the motor vehicle before the overtaking vehicle has completely passed.
• Overtaking when left side is not visible or clear of oncoming traffic driving to the left side of the center line of a highway in overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction where the left side is not clearly visible and is not free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance to pass in safely.
• Overtaking upon a crest of a grade – overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction when approaching the crest of a grade.
• Overtaking upon a curve – overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction upon a curve in a highway where the driver’s view along the highway is obstructed within a distance of 500 feet ahead.
• Overtaking at any railway grade crossing – overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction at any railway grade crossing.
• Overtaking at an intersection – overtaking or passing another vehicle in the same direction at any intersection of highways except on a highway having two or more lanes for movement of traffic in one direction where the driver of a vehicle may overtake another vehicle on the right.
• Overtaking on “men working” or “caution” sign – overtaking or passing or attempting to overtake or pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction between warning or caution signs indicating that men are working on a highway.
• Overtaking at no overtaking zone – overtaking or passing or attempting to overtake or pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction in any “no passing or overtaking zone”.
• Failure to yield the right of way – failure of a vehicle on the left to yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right when these vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same time.
• Failure to yield the right of way – failure of the vehicle approaching but not having entered an intersection to yield the right of way to a vehicle within such intersection or turning therein to the left across the line of travel of the first mentioned vehicle when such vehicle has given a plainly visible signal of intention to turn.
• Failure to yield the right of way – failure of the driver of any vehicle upon a highway within a business or residential district to yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing such highway within a crosswalk except at intersection where the movement of traffic is regulated by a peace officer or by traffic signal.
• Failure to stop before traversing a “through highway” or railroad crossing – failure of the driver of a vehicle upon a highway to bring to a full stop such vehicle before traversing any “through highway” or railroad crossing.
• Failure to yield right way of way – failure of a vehicle entering a highway from a private road or driver upon a highway to yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on such highway.
• Failure to yield a right of way to ambulance, police or fire department vehicles – failure of driver upon a highway to yield the right of way to police or fire department vehicles and ambulances when such vehicles are operated on official business and the drivers thereof sound audible signal on their approach.
• Failure to yield right of way at a “through highway” or a “stop-intersection” – failure of a vehicle entering a “through highway” or a “stop intersection” to yield right of way to all vehicIes approaching in either direction on such “through highway”.
• Failure to give proper signal – failure to give the appropriate signal before starting, stopping or turning from a direct line.
• Illegal turn – failure of the driver of a motor vehicle intending to run to the right at an intersection to approach such intersection in the lane for traffic nearest to be right-hand side of the highway and, in turning, to keep as close as possible to right-hand curve or edge of the highway.
• Illegal turn – failure of the driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left, to approach such intersection in the lane for traffic to the right of and nearest to the center line of the highway, and in, turning to pass to the left of the center of the intersection except upon highway lane for traffic and upon one-way highway.
• Failure to stop motor and notch handbrake of motor vehicle when unattended – failure to turn off the ignition switch and stop the motor and notch effectively the handbrake when parking a motor vehicle unattended on any highway.
• Unsafe towing.
• Obstruction – obstructing the free passage of other vehicles on the highway while discharging or taking passengers or loading and unloading freight, or driving a motor vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the passage of any vehicle.
• MC carrying more passengers other than the back rider or cargo other than the saddle bags and luggage carriers.
• Refusal to render service to the public or convey passenger to destination.
• Overcharging or undercharging of fare.
• No Franchise / Certificate of Public Convenience or evidence of franchise presented during apprehension or carried inside the motor vehicle.
• Fraud and falsities such as presentation of fake and spurious CPC, OR/CR, plate, stickers and tags.
• Operating the unit/s with defective parts and accessories.
• Failure to provide fare discount to those entitled under existing laws and pertinent Memorandum Circulars of the LTFRB.
• Fast, tampered, defective taximeter or operating without or with an old seal taximeter.
• Tampered, broken, joined, reconnected, fake or altered sealing wire.
• No sign board.
• Pick and Drop of Passengers outside the terminal.
• Carrying of illegal and/or prohibited cargoes.
• Failure to provide the fire extinguisher and required “STOP and GO” signage for use of each vehicle.
• Trip cutting.
• Failure to display fare matrix.
• Breach of franchise conditions under 2011 Revised Terms and Conditions of CPC not otherwise herein provided.

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LTO Vehicle Registration, Renewal, and Operation Violations

Violations	Fines & Penalties
Driving an unregistered motor vehicle	P10,000 + vehicle impoundment
Unauthorized motor vehicle modification	P5,000
Operating a Right Hand Drive vehicle	P50,000 + vehicle impoundment
Motor vehicle operating without or with defective / improper / unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts	P5,000 + vehicle impoundment
Failure to attach or improper attachment / tampering of authorized motor vehicle license plates and/or 3rd plate sticker	P5,000
Smoke Belching (Section 46, RA 8749)	1st offense – P2,000 2nd offense – P4,000 3rd offense – P6,000 + 1 year suspension of Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) Succeeding offenses – 1 year suspension of Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) + vehicle impoundment + undergo seminar on pollution control management
Fraud in relation to the registration of the motor vehicle and/or its renewal	P3,000 + vehicle impoundment + barred from registration for 1 year
All other violation in connection with motor vehicle registration renewal/operation	P2,000

1. Driving without a valid vehicle registration  

Keep in mind that if you forget to register your vehicle or drive one that is unregistered, the LTO will fine you Php 10,000.

2. Driving an Illegally modified vehicle

Remember, if you make changes to your vehicle like adding mods/external parts and forget to register it, you will be fined Php 5,000. 

3. Driving a right-hand vehicle  

As stated in section 2 of the Republic Act No. 8506, it is illegal to drive a right-hand steering wheel vehicle on both private and public roads nationwide. The fine for violating this is Php 50,000.

Related Guide: How to Buy a Car in the Philippines

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LTO Vehicle Accessories, Parts, and Equipment Violations

1. Driving with a vehicle that lacks proper/authorized parts, equipment, and accessories

These Vehicle parts include:

• Bells/horns/sirens/whistles
• Blinkers
• Brakes
• Early warning device (EWD)
• Grill/s
• Jalousies
• Foot and hand brakes
• Brake lights, headlights, interior lights, signal lights
• Mirrors
• Mufflers
• Metallic tires/spare tire
• Speedometer
• Windshield
• Wipers
• Any other accessory, device, equipment, or part that has a high risk of causing accidents

Violating this will result in a Php 5,000 fine. So make sure your car parts are in a good condition to avoid fines as well as help in road safety.

2. Smoke Belching

When you are caught with a vehicle that is smoke belching you will be fined Php 2,000 for the 1st offense, Php 4,000 for the 2nd offense, and for the 3rd offense you will receive a 1-year suspension of your vehicle’s registration and an additional Php 6,000 fine. So just make sure to keep your car in good condition and also help keep the environment clean.

3. Driving a vehicle with an incorrect/improper attachment of the Number Plate

Always make sure that your vehicle’s plate number is properly attached because a loose number plate may cause damage to your car and may cause safety issues. A no plate violation will result in a Php 5,000 fine.

4. LTO Sticker Violation

Tampering with LTO stickers and placing third-party stickers and also LTO decals violation will incur a fine of Php 5,000.

5. Tampering with License plates

The tampered/unauthorized license plate will be confiscated and you will be fined Php 5,000 pesos.

6. Illegally transferring or using regularly issued Number plates, Tags, and/or stickers

If your vehicle is caught with an illegally transferred plate number and/or stickers, your license will be suspended for 3 months and if it is proven to be involved in criminal activity you will be fined Php 12,000, and your plate/s, registration certificate, and official receipt(OR) will also be suspended for 2 years.

Take note that only security plates on an authorized vehicle are exempted from this fine.

Other related offenses will be fined Php 2,000.

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LTO Franchise Violations

Violations	Fines & Penalties
Colorum Violation a. A private motor vehicle operating as a PUV but without proper authority from the LTFRB: b. A PUV operating outside of its approved route or area without a prior permit from the Board or outside the exceptions provided under existing memorandum circulars; c. A PUV operating differently from its authorized denominations (ex. those approved as school service but operating as UV express, or those approved as tourist bus transport but operating as city or provincial bus); and d. A PUV with suspended or cancelled CPC and Decision/Order of the suspension or cancellation is executory; and e. A PUV with expired CPC and without a pending application for extension of validity timely filed before the Board.	BUS – P1,000,000 + vehicle impoundment for 3 months TRUCK – P200,000 + vehicle impoundment for 3 months JEEPNEY – P50,000 + vehicle impoundment for 3 months VAN – P200,000 + vehicle impoundment for 3 months SEDAN – P120,000 + vehicle impoundment for 3 months MC – P6,000 + vehicle impoundment for 3 months + revocation of the entire Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) + blacklisting + revocation of registration
Refusal to render service to the public or convey passenger to destination	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd & subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Overcharging I undercharging of fare	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Failure to provide proper body markings	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
No franchise I Certificate of Convenience or evidence of franchise presented during apprehension or carried inside the motor vehicle	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Fraud and falsities such as presentation of fake and spurious CPC, OR/CR, plates, stickers and tags	Revocation/Cancellation of the franchise/Certificate of Public Convenience, after due notice of hearing pursuant to LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2013 – 003
Employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Allowing an unauthorized driver to drive PUV or allowing a driver to drive PUV without bringing his/her driver’s license	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Operating the units I with defective parts and accessories	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Failure to provide fare discount to those entitled under existing laws and pertinent Memorandum circulars of the LTFRB	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Failure to provide the Board with complete, correct, and updated operator’s information (such as, but not limited to address, contact numbers, list of drivers, etc.) and other forms of misrepresentation	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Failure to display “No Smoking” signage and/or allowing personnel or passenger to smoke inside the vehicle	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Fast, tampered, defective taximeter or operating without or with an old seal taximeter (TX only)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Tampered, broken, joined, reconnected, fake or altered sealing wire (TX only)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Violation of color scheme or design / Adoption of new color design without authority from the Board (PUB and TX only)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Unregistered or unauthorized J trade/business name (PUB and TX only)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
No Panel Route (PUJ, PUB, UV)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
No sign board* (PUJ, PUB , UV)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Pick and Drop of Passengers outside the terminal (PUJ, PUB,UV)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Carrying of illegal and/or prohibited cargoes	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Failure to provided fire extinguisher and required “STOP and GO” signage for use of each vehicle (STS only)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Trip cutting (PUJ, PUB, UV)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Failure to display fare matrix (PUJ,PUB,UV)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Failure to display the International Symbol of Accessibility inside the units and/or failure to designate seats specifically for the use of Persons with Disabilities or failure or refusal to transport PWD’s (PUJ, PUB, TTS, UV)	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized
Breach of franchise conditions under 2011 Revised Terms and Conditions of CPC not otherwise here in provided	1st Offense – P5,000 2nd Offense – P10,000 + vehicle impoundment for 1 month 3rd and subsequent Offenses – P15,000 + cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized

1. Colorum Violations

Public utility vehicles caught operating without a franchise.

• Bus – Php 1 Million
• Trucks – Php 200,000
• Jeepneys – Php 50,000
• Vans – Php 200,000
• Sedans – Php 120,000
• MC – Php 6,000

2. Refusal to provide service to the public

For this violation, the 1st offense will incur a fine of Php 5,000, for the second offense Php 10,000, and impounding of the vehicle for 30 days, and for the subsequent offense Php 15,000 and cancelation of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

3. Overcharging

When caught or reported and proven guilty the operator will be fined Php 5,000 for the first offense, Php 10,000, and impounding of the vehicle for 30 days, for the third offense, a fine of Php 15,000 and cancelation of CPC.

4. Failure to provide proper body marking

Failure to place the proper body markings or identification on the vehicles will incur a Php 5,000 fine for the 1st offense, Php 10,000 and impounding of the vehicle, and for the third offense Php 15,000 and cancelation of CPC.

5. Other franchise violations include:

• No Franchise
• Fake OR/CR
• Arrogant Drivers
• Failure to provide discount under existing law
• Failure to display “no smoking” signs
• Fast, tampered, defective taxi meter
• Color scheme violation
• No panel route and signboard
• Picking up and dropping off passengers outside the terminal
• Carrying illegal or prohibited cargoes
• Trip cutting
• Failure to display fare matrix

All of these violations will incur a fine of Php 5,000 for the 1st offense, Php 10,000 and impounding of the vehicle for 30 days for the second offense, and for the subsequent offense Php 15,000 alongside the cancelation of CPC.

Related Guide: Ways to Make Money with your Car

You can click here to view the detailed information regarding LTO violations, penalties, and fines. 
As of this year, LTO has not yet updated its fines and penalties for traffic violations. We will provide an update when the LTO has any major addition/updates to their current list.