Apprehensions by the officers of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are one of the most unpleasant scenarios that any driver, car owner, or operator would like to avoid. Imagine having your car towed or your driver’s license confiscated by enforcers, while the public looks at you with unpleasant and incriminating eyes.
If you ever find yourself in this kind of situation, you must always respond with courtesy and calmness. After all, doing otherwise could mean more violations and more hefty fees and penalties. Instead, make sure you arm yourself with the knowledge about your rights as a driver as well as the proper and lawful process of settling your case. Whether it is an admitted violation or a contested case, there is a proper procedure and it pays to know about them. In this guide, we’ll only take a look at how to settle admitted apprehensions though.
What is an Admitted Case/Apprehension?
An admitted apprehension is a case of LTO apprehension where the apprehended operator or driver admits the violation/s cited in the Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP). It’s one of the two types of apprehensions—admitted and contested—though this refers to the one where the driver or operator presupposes the admission of violation leading to the apprehension. The admitted apprehension is also further subdivided into two types: those which are settled by the violator within 15 days following the apprehension and those that went beyond 15 days from apprehension. There are also special cases involving settling admitted apprehensions in the absence of the traffic violator, auto-contested apprehensions, apprehensions where the driver’s license or license plate is confiscated, and the apprehension with impounded motor vehicle.
Qualifications for Settling Admitted Apprehensions in LTO
Sure, every driver, operator, and conductor has probably seen, experienced, or heard about how it’s like to be apprehended by the LTO. While not everyone will experience this situation, knowing how to settle them is a necessity for everyone. Nevertheless, the information on the process of settling admitted apprehension is most useful to the following:
- Apprehended drivers
- Apprehended operators
- Apprehended conductors
Requirements for Settling Admitted Apprehensions in LTO
Like every other LTO transaction, settling admitted apprehensions in LTO requires one to be prepared and armed with the right documents before heading to the designated LTO office to save time, money, and effort.
General Requirements
- Pink copy of the Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) or Affidavit of Loss, in case of lost TOP
- Resolution/Decision
Additional Requirements
The documentary requirements vary depending on whether the violator is present or not, whether it was auto-contested or contested, and on what confiscated item the applicant intend to redeem. For your reference, here’s a complete list of additional requirements:
In the Absence of the Traffic Violator
- Authorization Letter or Special Power of Attorney
- One (1) photocopy of any government issued ID of the absent traffic violator
If Auto-contested
- One (1) copy of the Certificate of Registration and latest Official Receipt of the apprehended motor vehicle;
- One (1) copy of the Driver’s License (for Driver’s License related violations);
- One (1) copy of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC)/Special Authority and franchise verification from LTFRB (for franchise related violation);
- One (1) copy of Smoke Emission Test Result (for smoke belching violation); and/or
- One (1) copy of Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) (for violations requiring inspection)
If Driver’s License is Confiscated
- One (1) photocopy of Official Receipt (OR)/Certificate of Registration (CR) (if applicable)
- Original copy of Seminar Certificate (prior to Joint Administrative Order [JAO] 2014-01 when applicable)
- Original copy of Franchise verification (for franchise related violation
- Original copy of Emission test result with Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) (for smoke belching violation)
- Original copy of Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) Inspection
- Report with Official Receipt (for violations requiring inspection such as unauthorized/defective accessories, unauthorized modification and the like)
If License Plate is Confiscated
- One (1) photocopy of Official Receipt (OR)/Certificate of Registration (CR) (if applicable)
- Original copy of Seminar Certificate (prior to Joint Administrative Order [JAO] 2014-01 when applicable)
- Original copy of Franchise verification (for franchise related violation
- Original copy of Emission test result with Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) (for smoke belching violation)
- Original copy of Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) Inspection
- Report with Official Receipt (for violations requiring inspection such as unauthorized/defective accessories, unauthorized modification and the like)
If Motor Vehicle is Impounded
- Original copy of Impounding Receipt of Motor Vehicle (IRMV) with stencils of motor and chassis numbers or Affidavit of Loss, in case of loss
- One (1) Photocopy of OR/CR (if applicable)
- Original copy of Franchise verification (for franchise related violation)
- Original copy of Emission test result with MVIR (for anti- smoke belching violation)
- Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) Inspection Report with Official Receipt (for violations requiring inspection such as unauthorized/defective accessories, unauthorized modification and the like)
Procedures for Settling Admitted Apprehensions in LTO
To settle admitted violation in LTO, one must understand the procedure so they’ll know what to expect. Plus, this will ensure that you understand what you’re supposed to do.
Simple Admitted Case Settled within 15 Days From the Date of Apprehension without Accessory Penalty
Step 1: Visit the designated LTO branch, be it the Traffic Adjudication Service in the LTO Central Office, the Regional Offices-Operations Division, or the LTO District or Extension Offices with Law Enforcement and Traffic Adjudication Service (LETAS) functions, closest to the applicant’s place.
Step 2: Check if they have LETAS functions and if they require an appointment or accept walk-in applicants.
- If the LTO office requires an appointment, book an appointment online with LTO ahead of your visit.
Step 3: Submit the TOP/IRMV (or Affidavit of Loss – in case of loss TOP/IRMV) and other required documents.
Step 4: Secure a queue number and wait for your turn.
Step 5: Wait for your queue number to be called.
Step 6: Once your name is called, submit the requirements so it can be evaluated for completeness and authenticity.
Step 7: Once the LTO personnel confirms the details from the system, wait for a transaction ID to be generated.
Step 8: Once the transaction ID is generated, proceeds to the cashier for payment of fees.
Step 9: After making the payments, proceed to the Releasing Area with your official receipt (OR) and other documents to claim confiscated item/s.
Step 10: Wait for your turn to collect the confiscated items.
Simple Admitted Cases Settled within 15 Days From the Date of Apprehension with Accessory Penalty / Settled Beyond 15 Days From the Date of Apprehension
Step 1: Visit the designated LTO branch, be it the Traffic Adjudication Service in the LTO Central Office, the Regional Offices-Operations Division, or the LTO District or Extension Offices with Law Enforcement and Traffic Adjudication Service (LETAS) functions, closest to the applicant’s place.
Step 2: Check if they have LETAS functions and if they require an appointment or accept walk-in applicants.
- If the LTO office requires an appointment, book an appointment online with LTO ahead of your visit.
Step 3: Submit the TOP/IRMV (or Affidavit of Loss – in case of loss TOP/IRMV) and other required documents.
Step 4: Secure a queue number and wait for your turn.
Step 5: Wait for your queue number to be called for the release of resolution/judgment.
Step 6: Once your name is called, submit the requirements so it can be evaluated for completeness and authenticity.
Step 7: Once the LTO personnel confirms the details from the system, wait for a transaction ID to be generated.
Step 8: Once the transaction ID is generated, proceeds to the cashier for payment of fees.
Step 9: After making the payments, proceed to the Releasing Area with your official receipt (OR) and other documents to claim confiscated item/s.
Step 10: Wait for your turn to collect the confiscated items.
If Auto-Contested
Step 1: Visit the designated LTO branch, be it the Traffic Adjudication Service in the LTO Central Office, the Regional Offices-Operations Division, or the LTO District or Extension Offices with Law Enforcement and Traffic Adjudication Service (LETAS) functions, closest to the applicant’s place.
Step 2: Check if they have LETAS functions and if they require an appointment or accept walk-in applicants.
- If the LTO office requires an appointment, book an appointment online via your registered LTMS portal account with LTO ahead of your visit.
Step 3: Submit the TOP/IRMV (or Affidavit of Loss – in case of loss TOP/IRMV) and other required documents.
Step 4: Wait for the LTO staff to assign a Hearing Officer.
Step 5: Proceed to the Hearing officer for the approval/denial of resolution.
Step 6: Once a decision is made and a printed copy is issued to you, proceed to the cashier for payment of fees.
Step 7: After making the payments, proceed to the Releasing Area with your official receipt (OR) and other documents to claim confiscated item/s.
Step 8: Wait for your turn to collect the confiscated items.
Fees
When settling admitted apprehensions in LTO, it is a must to be ready to pay the fees which includes:
Legal Research Fee – P 10.00
Other Fees may vary depending on the violation
Where to Settle
To settle admitted apprehensions in LTO, you may visit any of the following:
- Traffic Adjudication Service (Central Office)
- Regional Offices-Operations Division
- LTO District/Extension Offices with LETAS functions
Important Reminders
For your reference, here are some important things to remember when settling admitted apprehensions in LTO:
- If the license is suspended, the client shall return to the agency after the lifting of suspension
- Suspension period commences from the date of payment of fines, and varies depending on the violations committed.
- Processing time excludes waiting time and starts upon the submission of complete requirements.
- Suspension period varies depending on the violations committed.
- Processing time starts upon the submission of complete requirements
Video: List of LTO violations and Other Fees
Learn more about all the LTO violations and their corresponding fees which you may need to check when settling admitted apprehensions in the LTO office by watching this video from Wander J.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When settling admitted apprehensions in LTO, here are some common questions and answers that you might find useful:
1. What is TOP?
TOP refers to the Temporary Operator’s Permit, a document issued to apprehended drivers or operators at the site and time of apprehension pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 515-2004 dated 25 May 2004.
2. Do you need to settle a traffic violation with LTO?
Yes. It is a must to settle apprehensions within 15 days from the date of apprehension provided the apprehension is reported and encoded in the LTO-IT system. If the apprehended driver failed to settle his case within 15 days from the date of apprehension, it may cause the suspension/revocation of his driver’s license.
3. What will happen if the apprehended operator/driver failed to settle his case within 15 days from the date of apprehension?
They may still settle the apprehension but may run the risk of suspension/revocation of his driver’s license If the apprehended driver/operator failed to settle his case within 15 days from the date of apprehension.
4. Where will the apprehended operator/driver settle his case? Can he settle the apprehensions in any LTO Office?
No. Settling apprehensions may only be done at the LTO office designated in the TOP. But if the apprehended driver is in Metro Manila, the apprehended operator/driver is allowed to settle his case at the LTO Traffic Adjudication Service (TAS), Central Office, East Avenue, Quezon City. If he was apprehended in other LTO Regional/District Offices, he will appear at the concerned LTO Operations Division as specified in his TOP. If the apprehension says “Settle Anywhere,” then the driver/operator may settle it in any LTO Regional/District Office with LETAS functions.
5. How does the apprehended operator/driver determine the amount of the fines/penalties as well as the accessory penalties of the violation/s indicated in the TOP?
The corresponding amount of the fines/penalties as well as the accessory penalties are determined by the Traffic Adjudication Service based on the violations specified in the TOP. It may be checked through the LTO-IT system or the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal online.
Summary
Settling admitted apprehensions in the LTO may seem like a hassle, but delaying or ignoring the problem may even cause more serious repercussions. That said, it’s best to just get on with it and at the soonest time possible in order to avoid getting more fines and having to secure more documentary requirements when your driver/operator license or vehicle registration is revoked. After all, there are LTO offices everywhere, making it easy to provide services wherever you are in the Philippines.