No, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) does not offer temporary de-registration for motorcycles, even for those that are used only seasonally or those stored at home. Even if your motorcycle is not being driven, you still need to keep its registration updated every year to avoid penalties. Riding an unregistered motorcycle is illegal, and unpaid registrations will continue to pile up. If you’re storing the motorcycle, it’s also smart to keep your insurance active to protect it from theft or fire.
But if you truly want to stop using your motorcycle for a long period—or scrap it altogether—the LTO does offer a formal “Storage of Motor Vehicle” service. This is the only way to stop the fees and keep your record clean.
What to Do If You Want to Store or Stop Using Your Motorcycle
You can’t just stop using your motorcycle and expect your responsibilities to stop until you’re ready to use it again. It doesn’t work like that. The moment you buy a motorcycle, you are expected to take responsibility for it until you scrap it or sell it off.
So, if you’re keeping the motorcycle (for seasonal use, long break, travel, etc.), even if you don’t plan to ride your motorcycle for months or years:
Keep the registration active
- No temporary de-registration exists for seasonal users.
- Fees and penalties will continue if you let the registration lapse.
- Riding an unregistered motorcycle is illegal.
Maintain your insurance
- Recommended by experts so your motorcycle is safe from threats of theft and fire.
Renew your registration on time
- Your motorcycle must remain road-legal at all times.
- Keep a copy of your updated OR/CR in the unit.
When Storing or Scrapping Your Motorcycle, Use the LTO Storage Service
If you no longer plan to use the motorcycle on public roads—maybe it’s damaged, old, or you’re keeping it but not sure what to do yet—you may surrender your plates, OR, and CR to the LTO for official storage. This stops all future registration fees and avoids penalties.
Using the LTO storage means:
- You surrender your plates, CR, and OR.
- The motorcycle cannot be used on public roads.
- You stop accumulating registration fees.
- You may still drive it inside private property.
Benefits
- No more yearly LTO fees for a vehicle you don’t use.
- Keep your LTO record clean.
- Lets you scrap or keep the motorcycle without legal issues.
- You may reactivate it in the future if needed.
Reactivating a Motorcycle from Storage
To use the motorcycle in storage on public roads again, you just need to prepare:
- LTO copy + electronically transmitted COC (insurance)
- Original Emission Compliance Certificate
- OR of Return Plate and Licenses
- Actual vehicle inspection
- Valid MVIR
What to Do If You Sell Your Motorcycle
Now, if you are selling the motorcycle, you will need to ensure that the following gets done:
- Report the sale to the LTO.
- The buyer must transfer ownership within 20 working days.
- You may ask the LTO about cancelling registration afterward to avoid future liability.