Solon: LTO to impound e-bikes/e-trikes on main roads starting Dec. 1
E-bike crackdown starting December 1, says Sen. JV Ejercito
Longtime drivers would agree that jeepneys once reigned as the undisputed “king of the road” until small motorcycles surged in popularity. But now, there’s a new contender claiming the crown. These are e-bikes, which is a broad term covering small electric scooters, motorcycles, trikes, and even four-wheelers. They dominate the streets by moving slowly yet boldly, often ignoring basic traffic laws, because no registration or driver’s license is required.
But beginning December 1, 2025, these e-bikes will be impounded automatically by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) if they are driven along major roads, according to Senator JV Ejercito.
“Nag-commit po ang ating bagong LTO head na si Asec. Lacanilao that by December 1 [2025], huhulihin na po ang lahat ng mga e-trikes na nasa kalye,” said Sen. Ejercito, during the proposed 2026 budget deliberation of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
(Our new LTO chief, Asec. Lacanilao, has committed that by December 1 [2025], all e-trikes on the streets will be apprehended.)
Senator Raffy Tulfo backed the measure, emphasizing that it’s high time these small electric-powered vehicles follow the rules and put an end to the government’s current “gray area” on regulation.
“Kayo mga e-bike, e-trikes, [sa] December 1, huwag muna kayo mamasada. Maging parehas na kayo,” said Sen. Tulfo.
(You e-bikes and e-trikes, don’t operate starting December 1. Make sure you’re all regulations-compliant.)
Senator Tulfo added that this “gray area” in government policy has put legitimate PUVs, such as registered tricycles with proper driver’s licenses and franchises, at a disadvantage, as they lose income to unregulated e-bikes and e-trikes that pick up commuters.
When Tulfo asked how citations could be issued to e-bike or e-trike drivers who often lack a license or proper registration, Ejercito explained that, according to the DOTr, these vehicles will be subject to automatic impoundment.
“Your honor, according to LTO and DOTr, automatic impound na…Yun po ang sabi ng LTO from now on talagang dapat ho, ‘pag nasa main thoroughfare, especially, talagang automatic i-impound na po nila,” explained Ejercito.
(Your honor, according to the LTO and DOTr, it will be an automatic impound… That’s what the LTO says, from now on, especially on main thoroughfares, they will automatically impound these vehicles.)
As of this writing, the LTO, through its Chief Asec. Markus Lacanilao, has yet to release an official written order detailing the specifics of the e-bike and e-trike crackdown starting December 1, 2025. Key questions remain unanswered: Will the agency automatically apprehend and impound all vehicles generally classified as “e-bikes,” or will the focus be limited to e-trikes, electric four-wheelers, or those operating as illegal passenger transport?
