Owning and driving a car offers a lot of benefits. Unfortunately, it also comes with a lot of expenses and fees. Aside from traffic violations and fines, among the fees that car owners need to pay is the Land Transportation Office Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (LTO MVUC) or the road users’ tax. It is a mandatory fee collected by LTO from vehicle owners in the country to finance the maintenance of national and provincial roads and address the air pollution caused by vehicles.
The MVUC is a component of the Philippine government’s tax reform program mandated by the Republic Act 8794. It comes in the form of fees collected during vehicle registration at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) which started in 2004. The fees have not changed since, despite the inflation, though the agency has started pushing for a yearly increase from 2023 onwards.
What is LTO MVUC?
LTO MVUC stands for the Land Transportation Office Motor Vehicle User’s Charge. This charge is also known as the road users’ tax and is collected upon vehicle registration. It was collected by the government to help fund the maintenance of national and provincial roads and address the air pollution caused by vehicles.
The MVUC varies depending upon numerous factors. These factors include vehicle type, gross vehicle weight (GVW), and year model, among others. Though it is highly unlikely that you will pay the wrong amount at the LTO, it still pays to know in advance the MVUC and other LTO fees that you can expect to pay when you visit the agency to get your vehicle registered.
Also Read: How to Get LTO Driver’s License in the Philippines
List of LTO MVUC and Other LTO Fees
Having said that, here’s the list of MVUC rates and other LTO fees you’d probably encounter when you go to LTO for your vehicle registration transactions.
MVUC Fee for Private and Government Car Registration or Renewal
- Car Type And Weight: Motorcycle without sidecar
MVUC: ₱240.00 - Car Type And Weight: Motorcycle with sidecar
MVUC: ₱300.00 - Car Type And Weight: Light passenger cars (Up to 1,600 kg)
MVUC: ₱1,600.00 - Car Type And Weight: Medium passenger cars (1,601 kg to 2,300 kg)
MVUC: ₱3,600.00 - Car Type And Weight: Heavy passenger cars (2,301 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱8,000.00 - Car Type And Weight: Utility vehicles (Up to 2,700 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,000.00 - Car Type And Weight: Utility vehicles (2,701 kg to 4,500 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,000.00 + 0.40 x gross vehicle weight (GVW) in excess of 2,700 kg - Car Type And Weight: SUVs (1991 models and above) (Up to 2,700 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,300.00 - Car Type And Weight: SUVs (1991 models and above) (2,701 kg to 4,500 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,300.00 + 0.46 x GVW in excess of 2,700 kg - Car Type And Weight: Trucks and truck buses (4,501 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱1,800.00 + 0.24 x GVW in excess of 2,700 kg - Car Type And Weight: Trailers (4,501 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱0.24 x GVW
MVUC Fee for Aged Private Vehicles
- Car Type And Weight: Light cars (models from 1995 to 2000) (Maximum of 1,600 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,000.00 - Car Type And Weight: Light cars (models from 1994 and older) (Maximum of 1,600 kg)
MVUC: ₱1,400.00 - Car Type And Weight: Medium cars (models from 1997 to 2000) (1,601 kg to 2,300 kg)
MVUC: ₱6,000.00 - Car Type And Weight: Medium cars (models from 1995 and 1996) (1,601 kg to 2,300 kg)
MVUC: ₱4,800.00 - Car Type And Weight: Medium cars (models from 1994 and older) (1,601 kg to 2,300 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,400.00 - Car Type And Weight: Heavy cars (model from 1994 and older) (2,301 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱12,000.00 - Car Type And Weight: Heavy cars (models from 1994 and older) (2,301 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱5,600.00
MVUC Fee for For Hire Vehicles
- Car Type And Weight: Motorcycles/Tricycles
MVUC: ₱300.00 - Car Type And Weight: Light passenger cars (Up to 1,600 kg)
MVUC: ₱900.00 - Car Type And Weight: Medium passenger cars (1,601 kg to 2,300 kg)
MVUC: ₱1,800.00 - Car Type And Weight: Heavy passenger cars (2,301 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱5,000.00 - Car Type And Weight: Utility vehicles (Up to 4,500 kg)
MVUC: ₱0.30 x GVW - Car Type And Weight: Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) (Up to 2,700 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,300.00 - Car Type And Weight: Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) (2,701 kg to 4,500 kg)
MVUC: ₱2,300.00 + 0.46 x GVW in excess of 2,700 kg - Car Type And Weight: Truck buses (4,501 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱0.30 x GVW - Car Type And Weight: Trailers (4,501 kg and above)
MVUC: ₱0.24 x GVW
Penalties, Charges, and Other Fees Related to MVUC
For vehicles beyond the registration week
Fee: ₱200.00
Beyond the registration month but not over 12 months
Fee: 50% of the MVUC rate
Over 12 months beyond the registration week but without apprehension for violation of the LTO laws, rules, and regulation during the period of delinquency
Fee: 50% of the MVUC rate + renewal
More than 12 months beyond the registration week but with apprehension for violation of LTO laws, rules, and regulations during the period of delinquency (Circular No. 83C-DIR-20)
Fee: 50% of the MVUC rate + renewal for every year of delinquency
Overloading, provided that no axle exceeds 13,500 kg
Fee: 25% of the MVUC at time of infringement for trucks and trailers with a load exceeding more than 5% of registered GVW
Other LTO Fees and Charges
- Accreditation fee for manufacturers, assemblers, importers, rebuilders, dealers (MAIRD)
Fee: ₱500.00 (Application Fee), ₱3,000.00/classification (Accreditation Fee), ₱1,000.00/classification (renewal fee), 100% of renewal fee/classification/year (penalty for late renewal) - Storage fee
Fee: ₱45.00 - Administrative fine for the accreditation fees above
Fee: ₱100,000.00 (first offense), ₱500,000 and a suspension of not more than six months (second offense), Cancellation of Certificate of Accreditation (third offense) - Transfer of MV ownership
Fee: ₱50.00/transfer - Accreditation fee for other entities:
Fee: ₱1,000.00 (Certificate Fee for both individual and no dollar importation), ₱100.00 (Tax exempt) - Top load fee
Fee: ₱150.00 (buses), ₱100.00 (cars and utility vehicle) - Certification of Data on MV stock report
Fee: ₱30.00 - MVIC emission test fee
Fee: ₱40.00 (MC/TC), ₱90.00 (UV), ₱115.00 (trucks/buses) - Special Permit fee
Fee: ₱20.00/day (not to exceed 7 days) - MVIC inspection fee
Fee: ₱50.00 (MC/TC), ₱50.00 (UV), ₱75.00 (trucks/buses) - Certificate of Tax Payment per Motor Vehicle
Fee: ₱30.00 - District Office inspection fee for the use of another District Office
Fee: ₱30.00 - Annotation of Mortgage, Attachment and other Encumbrances or Cancellation
Fee: ₱100.00 - New/initial registration regular motor vehicle plate
Fee: ₱450.00 - Change classification
Fee: ₱30.00 - New/initial registration MC/TC plate
Fee: ₱120.00 (per piece) - Change chassis
Fee: ₱30.00 - New/initial registration trailer plate
Fee: ₱225.00 - Change color
Fee: ₱30.00 - Validation and plate year tags
Fee: ₱50.00 - Change denomination
Fee: ₱30.00 - Replacement of validation stickers
Fee: ₱200.00 - Change engine
Fee: ₱30.00 - Duplicate and replacement of plates
Fee: ₱450.00 (MV plate), ₱120.00 (MC/TC plate), ₱225.00 (trailer plate), ₱450.00 (regular replacement plate) - Change of tire size
Fee: ₱30.00 - Vanity plates
Fee: For auction (limited edition), ₱15,000.00 (premium edition), ₱10,000.00 (select edition) - Change of venue of MV registration
Fee: ₱100.00 - Special plates
Fee: ₱25,000 (GMA-01; AAA-07; ARL-77), ₱15,000 (DPJ-100; JPG-100; MMN-100), ₱15,000 (MCM-707; DML-168; MTS-808) - Confirmation/Certification/Verification/Clearance Fee
Fee: ₱30.00 - Deed of assignment fee
Fee: ₱100.00 - Duplicate/replacement of OR/CR
Fee: ₱30.00 - Penalty for late transfer
Fee: ₱150.00/transfer - Change body design
Fee: ₱100.00 - Carrying capacity
Fee: ₱100.00 - Reactivation fee
Fee: ₱30.00 - Recording fee
Fee: ₱500.00 - Revision of gross weight vehicle
Fee: ₱30.00 - Revision of record
Fee: ₱30.00
Also Read: How to Register in LTMS Portal Online
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions and answers about the LTO MVUC.
1. What is MVUC?
MVUC stands for LTO’s Motor Vehicle User’s Charge. It refers to the various fees and charges collected by LTO during motor vehicle registration to help finance the maintenance of national and provincial roads and address the air pollution caused by vehicles.
2. How much do I need to pay as a fine for late registration?
LTO imposes a ₱200.00 weekly fine for late registrations but if the late payment is made after a month, the fine becomes 50% of the MVUC.
3. Can I change my motor vehicle plate?
No. The plate number of your vehicle is permanently assigned and would remain the same during the vehicle’s lifetime. You are also not allowed to change your plate number.
4. How much do I need to pay to change the color of my car?
If you wish to change the color of your car, you would have to pay ₱30.00 prior to registration.
5. Can I give out vanity plates as a gift?
Yes. If you are giving vanity plates as gifts, you need to ensure that the recipient is a registered owner of a motor vehicle.
6. What is LTO’s context for aged private vehicles?
LTO’s context when it comes to aged private vehicles, include:
- Current – 2000
- One year old – 1999
- Two years old – 1998
- Three years old – 1997
- Four years old – 1996
- Five years old – 1995
- Over five years old – 1994 and older
Summary
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) imposes numerous fees to car owners, including registration fees, MVUC, late fees, and other charges. These fees are not only collected to generate funds for the agency. Some of them are collected for a cause. For example, the MVUC or Motor Vehicle User’s Charge, collected by LTO are used to finance the government-managed infrastructures like the national and provincial roads and advocacies like air pollution control.
The LTO MVUC, also known as the road users’ tax, is collected upon vehicle registration. The amount that one needs to pay varies depending on various factors like motor vehicle type, gross vehicle weight (GVW), and year model, among others. There are also other fees associated with the MVUC, and it pays for car owners, drivers, and operators to know about them, so they can prepare the funds they need in advance. After all car ownership entails a lot of expenses and it is imperative for the owners to be prepared for them even before they think about buying one.
Contact Information
For inquiries or concerns, you may reach out to LTO via the following contact information:
Via the LTMS portal: Visit the LTO’s official website and fill out their Contact Us form at https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/f?p=PUBLIC_PORTAL:CONTACT_US:115716301949471.
Via phone call: You may contact them at their telephone number (632) 922-9061 to 66.
Via email: You may also send them an email at clientcare@lto.gov.ph.
Via the LTO Text Hotline Service: You may use LTO’s nationwide SMS service for drivers and vehicle owners by typing LTOHELP and sending it to 2600
By visiting the LTO office: For information, you may check the LTO branch closest to you.
Note that the LTO Text Hotline service is only available during office hours on weekdays. If you avail this service after 5 PM, you won’t get any replies, but you will still be charged a service fee amounting to ₱2.00.