PBBM approves DOTr’s five-year new vehicle registration

Five-year validity on new vehicles approved by President Marcos

Just days after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) proposed a five-year registration validity for new vehicles and motorcycles, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the measure.

According to Transportation Secretary, Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, the President has given the green light to the proposed measure to provide new vehicle and motorcycle owners with a more “hassle-free” ownership experience for the next five years. He added that with many dealerships now offering extended warranties, it is only fitting for the DOTr to likewise extend the validity of vehicle registration.

“Kumbaga nag-level up itong mga casa, magle-level up din tayo sa mga polisiya natin. But more than that, [dahil sa extension ng validity] maiiwasan natin ‘yung mahabang pila sa LTO sa mga magre-renew na naman, tapos may issue rin ng fixers at corruption, at again, [priority natin] ‘yung convenience ng public,” said Lopez.

(Since these dealers have leveled up, we will also level up our policies. But more than that, [because of the extension of validity] we will be able to avoid the long queues at the LTO for those who are renewing, then there is also the issue of fixers and corruption, and again, [our priority] is the convenience of the public.)

Meanwhile, the Transportation Secretary clarified that only brand-new vehicles and motorcycles will be covered by the five-year registration validity. After this period, vehicle registration will revert to annual renewal, with a mandatory roadworthiness inspection in the fourth year to ensure that vehicles operating on public roads remain safe and in good condition, consistent with the President’s directive.

“On the 6th year, kailangan nang i-renew ‘yan and every year thereafter. Ang rason po dyan, habang tumatagal o tumatanda ang ating sasakyan, it becomes less reliable because of depreciation or wear and tear. Mas kailangan ang LTO na magkaroon pa rin ng comprehensive roadworthiness check,” Lopez added.

(On the 6th year, it needs to be renewed and every year thereafter. The reason for that is that as our vehicle ages, it becomes less reliable because of depreciation or wear and tear. It is more important for the LTO to still have a comprehensive roadworthiness check.)

Secretary Lopez also appealed to car dealers and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) to make the five-year registration for brand-new vehicles free of charge to help motorists save on costs.

“I think 80-90% ng car dealers, nagbibigay sila ng free registration as come-on. Makikiusap ako sa CAMPI na baka pwede pa rin nilang gawin, free registration pa rin para at least makakatipid ‘yung ating mga kababayan,” the Secretary said.

(I think 80-90% of car dealers, they give free registration as a come-on. I will ask CAMPI if they can still do it, still free registration, so that at least our countrymen can save money.)

The DOTr and the Land Transportation Office are expected to issue a Department Order and Memorandum Circular detailing the new five-year vehicle registration policy, which is targeted for implementation on February 15, 2026.