When participating in traffic, violations may be unavoidable. But you need to know the errors and penalties for yourself instead of passively receiving tickets. This understanding can help you avoid trouble and be more careful in the future, even in cases where your driver’s license is suspended or revoked permanently.
This article will popularize LTO violations Philippines and corresponding penalties in 2024, as well as how to check your driver’s license demerit scores. Keep reading to avoid being confused if such a situation happens!
Table of Contents
Penalties Of LTO Violations Philippines 2024
Road traffic laws in the Philippines have clear regulations on behaviors that can negatively impact traffic safety and corresponding penalties. They are divided into many small areas with related errors so that drivers can follow and easily remember:
Driver’s License
Driving Without A Valid License
Regarding the license, the maximum fine includes 3,000 Pesos and 6 months in prison, according to court regulations. However, there are many faults with different penalties within this range, you need to know such as:
| Violations | Penalties |
| Without a license | ₱500 fine or detained for up to 15 days |
| No having signature confirmation | ₱100 |
| Be expired or no longer valid | ₱200 fine or detained for up to 10 days |
| Be suspended, revoked, or fake | ₱1,000 to 3,000 fine or detained for up to 6 months, or both |
Not Wearing A Seat Belt
For Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), if the front passengers do not tighten their seat belts, the driver will be fined ₱300, not more than ₱3,000 for each violation.
Otherwise, the act of not wearing a seat belt for both the driver and passenger and the firms supplying vehicles without seat belts installed has the following corresponding penalties:
| Offense | For Driver | For vehicle manufacturers, distributors, assemblers, and importers |
| First | ₱100 fine but less than ₱1,000 |
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| Second | ₱100 fine but less than ₱2,000 |
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| Third and beyond |
|
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Reckless Driving
Careless driving not only endangers yourself but also others and causes material damage. It is also divided into different cases, such as:
- Overspeeding: for each type of road, there are different limits for cars, motorbikes, and equivalent vehicles, including Open country roads (80km/h), Through streets (40km/h), City and Municipal (30km/h) and Crowded (20km/h).
- Distractions: including objects in the car that block vision, calling or texting, chatting with others, playing loud sounds, etc., anything that distracts the driver while driving.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): is understood as using stimulants such as alcohol, beer, and drugs when participating in traffic, dangerous behavior; however, the blood alcohol concentration is usually below 0.05%.
Depending on each case, drivers may receive penalties such as:
| Offense | Overspeeding | Distractions | Driving under the influence (DUI) |
| First | ₱2,000 | ₱5,000 |
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| Second | ₱3,000 | ₱10,000 |
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| Third | ₱10,000 | ₱15,000 |
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| Any subsequent offenses | ₱10,000 | ₱20,000 |
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Anti Drunk Driving
Anti Drunk Driving under Republic Act No.10586 aims to combat driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and other similar stimulants. Suspected drivers must undergo the following tests:
- Field sobriety test: includes visual inspection, walking and turning test, and standing on one leg.
- The alcohol breath analysis (ABA) test: requires less than 0.05% for driving personal vehicles and less than 0.01% for motorbikes, public conveyances, buses, and trucks. It would be best if you asked for a new, unused snorkel.
- Drug test: in case of grounds, the driver is taken to the nearest police station for testing.
| Violation | Penalty |
| No casualty or injury |
|
| Having physical injury |
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| Having loss of life or homicide |
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No Wearing Helmets
For motorbikes, drivers and passengers must wear helmets. Violations are subject to fines of ₱1,500, ₱3,000, and ₱5,000 for the first, second, and third offenses, respectively.
From the 4th time onwards, the fine will increase to ₱10,000 and include confiscation of the driver’s license. In addition, helmets that do not meet standards or do not have ICC certification will also be fined.
Other Violations
For other acts, the LTO fee is 1,000 pesos for each violation. For instance, some common behaviors, like:
- Passing through the red traffic light or stop sign
- Parking illegally or causing obstruction
- Passing or turning illegally
- Disobey traffic signs
- Dropping off or picking up passengers in the wrong lane
Number Plate
Not Firmly Attached Number Plates
License plates that are missing or not securely attached can cause obstruction and danger when participating in traffic. For each violation, drivers can be fined up to ₱5,000.
Apply Improperly/Tamper LTO Stickers
The LTO sticker is evidence of a legal vehicle purchase and acts as a provisional identification document. It encompasses ownership particulars to facilitate traceability, and it is against the law to utilize counterfeit stickers, with a penalty of 5,000 Philippine Pesos.
Apply Tampering Number Plates
Similarly, the LTO sticker on the issued license plate has full information about the owner and vehicle details. Using fake or illegal ones can hinder the identification of the vehicle’s origin and many other worse cases. Whether it causes negative effects, this behavior is still subject to a fine of 5,000 pesos, and illegal number plates will also be confiscated.
Illegal Transfer Or Use Of License Plates Or Lto Stickers
It is against the law to use license plates for vehicles other than their intended one. Those caught breaking this law will face a three-month suspension of their license. Additionally, if the automobile is involved in criminal activity, the owner will be fined 12,000 pesos and will have their license plates, registration papers, and official receipts suspended for two years.
Accessories, Equipment, And Parts Of The Vehicle
Vehicle accessories, equipment, and spare parts also play an important role in helping the vehicle operate smoothly, give timely signals, and avoid potential accident risks.
Any illegal, substandard, or damaged use of them is considered a violation of the law, and the driver must pay 5,000 Pesos each time. Some equipment and accessories need attention and maintenance, such as:
- Horns
- Headlights, tail lights, signal lights, interior lights
- Brakes and brake pads
- Tires and spare tires
- Early warning devices (EWD)
- Speedometers
- Types of rearview mirrors
- And other accessories, equipment, and spare parts related to safety when participating in traffic
Smoke Belching
Republic Act No. 8749 and the Clean Air Act of the Philippines promulgate policies and rules regarding releasing smoke into the environment.
Accordingly, if your vehicle fails the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) mobile smoke detector, you must pay a fine. The corresponding amounts for the first and second installments are 2,000 and 4,000 pesos. For the third time, you must pay a fine of 6,000 pesos and suspend your vehicle registration for 1 year.
LTO Violation Records
The Demerit System
According to LTO regulations, a driver’s license will be valid for 10 years. Still, it can also be shortened when there is an alarm from the Demerit system. This system classifies the severity of violations according to points, specifically:
- Light: 1 point
- Less serious: 3 points
- Serious: 5 points
Once any individual’s license accumulates 10 points, it will be suspended, and that person must attend an orientation course. When the score reaches 40 points, that individual’s driver’s license will be revoked, and cannot register for a new one within the next 2 years.
How To Check The LTO Violations
- Visit the link page: https://portal.lto.gov.ph/
- Select Sign Up, accept the Terms and Agreement, and enter the security code
- Select “Register as an individual” if you have a regular license
- Enter license and personal information
- Log in to the provided Email, receive the Customer Code, and confirm via the attached link
- Visit the Website again, use your Customer ID, and create a password for logging
- Select Violations to check the demerit scores and violating history (including unresolved situations).
FAQs
Where Can You Pay Your LTO Violation Fees?
You can resolve your ticket via the official Website, any LTO branch, or other supported payment platforms. Some methods you can consider are MMDA Traffic Management Office, Bayad Center, SM Bill Payments, BizLink Bank Land, GCash, or Grabpay.
Are There Penalties For Registration Processing Agents?
According to regulations, registering a 4-wheeled vehicle takes 7 to 11 days, while a motorbike only needs 3 to 5 days. Agents who do not handle this process on time must pay a fine of up to 20,000 pesos, following LTO’s additional regulations from February 2023.
Wrap-Up
For LTO Violations Philippines law, penalties are considered fines, temporary or permanent confiscation of driver’s license, and the most severe is suspension of driver’s license retest for 2 years. However, the light penalties, which are recorded, still can directly affect your driver’s license.
Regular vehicle inspection and maintenance are necessary to minimize unnecessary errors. In addition, you should also check your scores and history regularly to handle unknown or unreasonable records promptly.
