List of LTO Driving Fines and Violations

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) imposes fines and sanctions in events of violation, be it driver-, plate-, or registration-related. It’s an important list to have as we are sure that almost everyone, regardless of how law-abiding or rowdy you are as a driver, has been caught by traffic enforcers at least once. Whether it’s due to an illegal turn, or for beating the red light, we are sure even you have a story to tell about a traffic or road violation you once committed and how much of a hassle it has been.

With this guide, we offer you a list of violations, fines, and penalties that you may face during your daily drives. May this guide help you find clarity and make you a more aware and hopefully, wiser driver.

Table of Contents

Complete list of LTO Violations, Fines, and Penalties in PH

Here’s a complete list of LTO violations, along with its corresponding fines and penalties:

Permits and License-related violations

1. Driving without a valid driver’s license or conductor’s permit, as well as driving:

• With an expired license
• With a revoked license
• With a suspended license
• With an inappropriate driver’s license restriction code
• With an inappropriate driver’s license classification
• With a fake driver’s license
• With a valid foreign driving license beyond the 90-day maximum allowable period (for tourists)
• Without being accompanied by a duly licensed driver (for student permit holders)

Fine: Php 3,000.00

Penalty: Unlicensed or improperly licensed driver will be disqualified from acquiring a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle for one (1) year after the payment of the fine.

2. Driving a motor vehicle used in the commission of a crime

Fine: Php 10,000.00

Penalty: Upon conviction, the driver’s license will be confiscated and revoked and the driver shall be perpetually disqualified from being granted a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle. The vehicle will also be impounded until ordered to be released after the payment of appropriate fines and penalties.

3. Commission of a crime in the course of apprehension

Fine: Php 10,000.00

Penalty: Upon conviction, the driver’s license shall be confiscated, and revoked and the driver shall be disqualified from being granted a driver’s license for five (5) years from the date of payment of appropriate fines and penalties. The vehicle will also be impounded until ordered to be released after payment of appropriate fines and penalties.

4. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or similar substance (Section 12, R.A. 10586)

Penalty: Confiscation and suspension of non-professional driver’s license for twelve (12) months after payment of the appropriate fines and penalties (first conviction). Perpetual revocation of non-professional driver’s license (for second conviction). For professional driver’s license holders, confiscation and perpetual revocation for first conviction applies.

5. Reckless driving, including driving a motor vehicle:

• With an improper registration
• With an expired registration
• With revoked registration
• With suspended registration
• With invalid registration
• With an unregistered or fake substitute or replacement engine, engine block, or chassis.

Fine: Php 2,000.00 (first offense), Php 3,000.00 (second offense), Php 10,000.00 (subsequent offense)

Penalty: The driver’s license shall be suspended for a period of three (3) months (for second offense) and six (6) months (for third offense) and revoked(for the succeeding offense). Drivers with revoked non-professional driver’s license are also disqualified from being granted a new license for two (2) years.

6. Submission of fake documents in relation to the application for a driver’s license (New/Renewal)

Fine: Php 3,000.00

Penalty: The driver’s license will be put on alarm and revoked and the driver will be disqualified from getting a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle for one (1) year from the payment of the fine.

7. Failure to wear the prescribed seatbelt device, including:

• Allowing a child six (6) years old or younger to sit on the front passenger seat.

Fine: Php 1,000.00 (first offense), Php 2,000.00 (second offense), Php 5,000.00 (third offense)

Penalty: Suspension of the driver’s license for one (1) week from the payment of the fine (for third and each succeeding offense).

8. Failure to require his/her passenger/s to wear the prescribed seatbelt device (Section 12, R.A. 8750), including:

• Failure to post signage instructing front seat passengers to wear seatbelts (For PUV)

Fine: Php 3,000.00 for every violation, both for PUV driver and operator

9. Failure to wear standard protective motorcycle helmet or require back rider to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet (R.A. 10054)

• Wearing a helmet with fake Philippines standard (PS)
• Wearing a helmet with fake import commodity clearance (IIC) sticker
• Riding a moving motorcycle without wearing a helmet

Fine: Php 1,500.00 (first offense), Php 3,000.00 (second offense), Php 5,000.00 (third offense), Php 10,000.00 (fourth and succeeding offense)

10. Failure to carry driver’s license, Certificate of Registration, or Official Receipt (OR) while driving a motor vehicle

Fine: Php 1,000.00

11. All other violations of traffic rules and regulations

• 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
  • Failure to conduct the vehicle to the right of the intersection of the highway when turning to the left in going from one highway to another
  • 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 the right-hand side of the highway and, in turning, to keep as close as possible to the right-hand curve or edge of the highway
  • 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 centerline 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
  • At unsafe distance to the left of another vehicle when overtaking that vehicle
  • When the left side is not visible or clear of oncoming traffic, driving to the left side of the centerline of a highway vehicle proceeding in the same direction where the left side is not clearly visible and is not free of oncoming traffic
  • Upon a crest of a grade when another vehicle is proceeding in the same direction
  • Upon a curve in a highway where the driver’s view is obstructed within a distance of 500 feet ahead
  • At any railway grade crossing
  • At an 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.
  • On “men working” or “caution” signs on a highway
  • At no overtaking zone
  • To the vehicle on the right when these vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same time.
  • Of the approaching vehicle but have not yet entered an intersection 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.
  • 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 an intersection where the movement of traffic is regulated by a peace officer or by traffic signal.
  • 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.
  • Of drivers upon a highway to yield 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.
  • At a “through highway” or a “stop-intersection” to all vehicles approaching in either direction on such “through highway”.
  • discharging or taking passengers
  • loading and unloading freight
  • driving a motor vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the passage of any vehicle

  Fine: Php 1,000.00

  Violations in Connection with Motor Vehicle Registration, Renewal, or Operation

  12. Driving an unregistered motor vehicle, including:

  • Driving with an improperly registered motor vehicle or a motor vehicle with expired, revoked, suspended, or invalid registration,
  • unregistered or fake substitute or replacement engine, engine block, or chassis

  Fine: Php 10,000.00

  Penalty: If non-registration and the violation has exceeded one (1) month, the vehicle will be impounded until registration and payment of fines and penalties. For undocumented engines, the vehicle shall be confiscated, impounded, and barred for one (1) year from payment of the fines.

  13. Unauthorized modification, including:

  • Unauthorized change in color
  • Unauthorized modifications of the standard manufacturer’s specification

  Fine: Php 5,000.00

  Penalty: Confiscation until after inspection, correction of defect, and payment of fine.

  14. Operating a right hand drive motor

  Fine: Php 50,000.00

  Penalty: Impounding of vehicle until defect was corrected and the fine was paid, subject to inspection.

  15. Operating vehicle without or with defective, improper, or unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts, including:

  • bells
  • sirens
  • whistles
  • blinkers
  • horns
  • early warning device (EWD)
  • grill/s
  • jalousies
  • brake (foot and hand brakes)
  • brake lights
  • headlights
  • interior lights
  • signal lights
  • tail lights
  • mirrors
  • mufflers
  • metallic tires
  • spare tire
  • speedometer
  • windshield
  • wipers
  • other accessory, device, equipment or part that is prejudicial to road safety.

  Fine: Php 5,000.00

  Penalty: The vehicle will be impounded until the accessory, device, equipment or part is properly installed, corrected or removed and the fine was paid. The improper or unauthorized accessory, device, equipment, or part shall be confiscated.

  16. Failure to attach or improper attachment, or tampering of authorized motor vehicle license plates and/or third plate sticker, including:

  • Attachment of any unauthorized plate/s or any accessory or device to and/or around the authorized motor vehicle license plate
  • Attachment that impedes the visibility or reflectivity of the authorized motor vehicle license plate and/or the third plate sticker.

  Fine: Php 5,000.00

  Penalty: Removal and confiscation of unauthorized plate, accessory and/or device.

  17. Smoke belching (Section 46, RA 8749), as well as:

  • Violation of emission standards through visual signs

  Fine: Php 2,000.00 (first offense), Php 4,000.00 (second offense), Php 6,000.00 (third offense)

  Penalty: The motor vehicle shall be impounded and the MV license plate withheld until it passed the standard emission test, attendance to a seminar on pollution control management (for both driver and operator), one (1) year suspension of the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) (third offense), suspension of MV Registration for one (1) year (succeeding offense).

  18. Fraud related to MV registration or renewal

  Fine: Php 3,000.00

  Penalty: Impounding of the motor vehicle, MV will be barred from registration for one (1) year from the payment of the fine.

  19. All other violation related to motor vehicle registration renewal/operation

  Fine: Php 2,000.00

  Violations in Connection with Dimension, Specifications, Weight and Load Limits

  20. Load extending beyond projected width without permit

  Fine: Php 1,000.00

  21. Axle overloading

  • A dual-wheel axle load shall exceed thirteen thousand five hundred (13,500.00) kilograms (kgs)
  • The vehicle load exceeds 150% of the maximum allowable gross weight.

  Fine: 25% of MVUC at the time of infringement, waived for loads exceeding the registered GVW by a tolerance of less than 5%

  22. Operating a passenger bus/truck with cargo exceeding 160 kilograms

  Fine: Php 1,000.00 (for both driver and conductor)

  Violations in Connection with Franchise

  23. Colorum Violation, under any of the following circumstances:

  • A private motor vehicle operating as a PUV but without proper authority from the LTFRB:
  • 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;
  • 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);
  • A PUV with suspended or canceled CPC and Decision/Order of the suspension or cancellation is executory; and
  • A PUV with expired CPC and without a pending application for extension of validity timely filed before the Board.

  Fine: bus – Php 1,000,000.00, truck – Php 200,000.00, Is – Php 50,000.00, van – Php 200,000.00, sedan – Php 120,000.00, MC – Php 6,000.00 (first offense)

  Penalty: Minimum impounding of unit for three (3) months, revocation of the ENTIRE Certificate of Public Convenience (“CPC”) where the apprehended vehicle belongs (expect when apprehended vehicle is with private/green plate); blacklisting of the apprehended vehicle and all other authorized units included in the CPC from being used as a public utility vehicle; and revocation of the registration of the apprehended ve­hicle and all other authorized units included in the franchise (first offense)

  Revocation of ALL CPCs of the operator; disqualification of the operator, or corporate stockholders and directors, to operate any kind of public land transportation; blackisting of ALL authorized units (entire fleet) of the operator from being used as public utility vehicle; and revocation of the registration of ALL authorized units (entire fleet) of the operator (second offense)

  For private motor vehicles operating as PUV without proper authority from the LTFRB, the LTFRB or RFRBs shall disqualify the registered owner, and corporate stockholders and directors, from operating any kind of public land transportation.

  24. Refusal to render service to the public or convey passenger to destination

  Fine: Php 5,000.00 (first offense), Php 10,000.00 (second offense), Php 15,000.00 (third and subsequent offense)

  Penalty: Cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized (third and subsequent offense)

  25. Overcharging or undercharging of fare

  Fine: Php 5,000.00 (first offense), Php 10,000.00 (second offense), Php 15,000.00 (third and subsequent offense)

  Penalty: Cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized (third and subsequent offense)

  26. Failure to provide proper body markings

  Fine: Php 5,000.00 (first offense), Php 10,000.00 (second offense), Php 15,000.00 (third and subsequent offense)

  Penalty: Cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized (third and subsequent offense)

  27. No franchise, Certificate of Convenience (CPC), or any evidence of franchise presented during apprehension or carried inside the motor vehicle*

  Fine: Php 5,000.00 (first offense), Php 10,000.00 (second offense), Php 15,000.00 (third and subsequent offense)

  Penalty: Cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized (third and subsequent offense)

  28. Fraud and falsities such as presentation of fake and spurious CPC, OR/CR, plates, stickers and tags

  Penalty: Revocation/Cancellation of franchise or the Certificate of Public Convenience, after due notice of hearing (LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2013 – 003)

  29. Employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers

  30. Allowing an unauthorized driver to drive PUV or to drive PUV without bringing his/her driver’s license

  31. Operating units with defective parts and accessories

  32. Failure to provide fare discount to those entitled under existing laws

  33. Failure to provide the Board with complete, correct, and updated operator’s information

  34. Failure to display “No Smoking” signage

  35 Fast, tampered, defective taximeter or operating without or with an old seal taximeter (TX only)*

  36. Tampered, broken, joined, reconnected, fake or altered sealing wire (TX only)

  37. Violation of color scheme or design / Adoption of new color design without authority from the Board (PUB and TX only)

  Fine: Php 5,000.00 (first offense), Php 10,000.00 (second offense), Php 15,000.00 (third and subsequent offense)

  Penalty: Cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized (third and subsequent offense)

  38. Unregistered or unauthorized trade/business name (PUB and TX only)

  39. No Panel Route (PUJ, PUB, UV)

  40. No sign board (PUJ, PUB , UV)

  41. Pick up and Drop off of Passengers outside the terminal (PUJ, PUB,UV)

  42. Carrying of illegal and/or prohibited cargoes

  43. Failure to provide fire extinguisher and required “STOP and GO” signage for use of each vehicle (STS only)

  44. Trip cutting (PUJ, PUB, UV)

  45. Failure to display fare matrix (PUJ,PUB,UV)

  46. Breach of franchise conditions under 2011 Revised Terms and Conditions of CPC not otherwise herein provided.

  Fine: Php 5,000.00 (first offense), Php 10,000.00 (second offense), Php 15,000.00 (third and subsequent offense)

  Penalty: Impounding of unit for thirty (30) days (second offense), cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized (third and subsequent offense)

  46. 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)

  Fine: Php 50,000.00 (first offense), Php 75,000.00 plus impounding fee of Php 500.00 per day (second offense), Php 15,000.00 (third and subsequent offense)

  Penalty: Impounding of unit for 45 days (second offense), cancellation of CPC where the unit is authorized (third and subsequent offense)

  Note: All apprehensions due to violations in connection with franchise, except for colorum violations, shall count offenses against operators and not against a particular motor vehicle or CPC.

  Video: LTO Road Violations and Penalties

  Check out this video as uploaded on portal Philippine Assistance channel which indicates the LTO road violations and their corresponding fees: