If you’ve built or assembled a motorcycle from different parts—whether new, used, or salvaged and are wondering if you can legally register it with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the answer is yes, but you’ll need to go through a special registration process designed for rebuilt or locally assembled motorcycles to prove your bike’s legality and roadworthiness.

This process exists to verify the legality of all components and ensure your motorcycle complies with national safety and emission standards. Please be aware of the law based on LTO Memorandum Circular No. 542-2004 and current LTO procedures.

What Is a Rebuilt or Assembled Motorcycle?

A “rebuilt” or “assembled” motorcycle is a unit put together using parts from one or more other motorcycles, which may include locally bought or imported components. It could also mean a salvaged unit—a motorcycle restored from usable parts of previously registered or junked vehicles.

You can register it with the LTO as long as you can prove that all major parts (engine, chassis, and body) were legally acquired.

Legal Basis

According to LTO Memorandum Circular No. 542-2004, only the LTO Regional Offices can process and encode data for the initial registration of rebuilt or undocumented motorcycles. This measure preserves the integrity of the national vehicle database and prevents the registration of stolen or “chop-chop” units.

If any document or part is found questionable, the registration will not proceed. The LTO may also conduct further investigation, especially for salvaged units or motorcycles with unclear origins.

How Does it Differ from Registering Factory-Made Motorcycles

Registering a rebuilt or assembled motorcycle involves more documents, inspections, and clearances because you must prove the legality and safety of each part. It takes more time, effort, and documents to register than a factory-made motorcycle (brand new or secondhand) because all required documents and compliance certifications will have to be acquired and gathered manually rather than being handled by either the manufacturer or dealer or the previous owner.

Here’s a detailed summary of what it means to register a motorcycle rebuilt or assembled from parts:

• Requires special registration under LTO Memorandum Circular No. 542-2004
• Must prove the legal origin of all major components (engine, chassis, body)
• Needs an Affidavit of Rebuilt or Assembly signed by the owner and mechanic
• Requires PNP-TMG clearance to verify that no parts are stolen
• Must undergo thorough inspection and emission compliance testing
• Often needs confirmation of records from different LTO offices if parts came from previously registered vehicles
• Registration is handled only by LTO Regional Offices (not all branches can process this)
• Processing time is longer due to validation and verification steps
• Applicable only to locally assembled motorcycles (undocumented imports not allowed)
• Plates and Certificate of Registration (CR) are issued only after investigation and approval

What Kind of Motorcycles are Covered Under this Process?

This applies to motorcycles that are:

• Assembled from local or imported parts
• Rebuilt from salvaged or secondhand units
• Locally fabricated using a combination of old and new components

Note: Undocumented imported motorcycles (or units with no proof of legal importation) cannot be registered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For your reference, here are some common questions related to registering motorcycles assembled from parts:

1. Can backyard-assembled motorcycles be registered?

Yes, but only if:

• All materials used are properly documented (with sales invoices and affidavits of fabrication).
• The chassis is inspected and assigned a computer-generated chassis number by the LTO.
• The Regional Office supervises the stamping process.

2. What happens if the parts don’t have complete documents?

The LTO will not process the registration. Missing invoices, importation papers, or clearances could mean the parts are undocumented or illegally sourced (“chop-chop”), which is a serious violation. Always make sure to keep proof of purchase and clearances.

3. Do I need to publish a notice before registering a rebuilt motorcycle?

Usually, publication is only required for undocumented vehicles or when the LTO cannot trace the previous records. For regular rebuilt motorcycles with complete documents, this is not necessary.

4. What if the motorcycle doesn’t pass inspection or emission testing?

You’ll need to fix the issue first before reapplying. The LTO will not approve registration unless your motorcycle is roadworthy and emission compliant.

5. Is there a risk of rejection even if I have documents?

Yes. If the engine or chassis numbers don’t match or if there are inconsistencies in your paperwork, the LTO can suspend or deny your registration. Always double-check before submitting.

6. Can I use my assembled motorcycle for delivery or business purposes?

Yes, but after registering it as a private motorcycle, you must apply for a franchise or change classification at the LTO if you plan to use it for commercial delivery services.

7. Can I ride my assembled motorcycle while waiting for registration?

No. Riding an unregistered motorcycle is illegal and can lead to fines or impoundment. Wait until you receive your Certificate of Registration (CR) and license plate from the LTO.

Important Reminders

To ensure that the registration procedure is completed smoothly, you may want to keep these things in mind:

• Do not use undocumented parts. 
• Only locally assembled units are accepted. 
• Emission compliance is mandatory. 
• Keep all receipts and affidavits.
• Double-check all serial numbers on the engine and chassis—they must match the documents.
• Work with a trusted mechanic who can help you prepare an accurate Affidavit of Assembly or Rebuild.

For more information, you may check this guide on How to Register Your Motorcycle with the LTO.

If you receive an LTO driver’s license card with someone else’s name, don’t use it — it’s not valid and could cause legal or record problems later on. The right thing to do is to return it to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and request a correction of records. There is a correct process to do it so you can avoid future complications and make sure your driver’s license reflects your true and updated information.

This guide can tell you what to do, what to bring, and how to fix the issue quickly and properly to avoid troubles associated with using a license that is not under your name.

What to Do if You Get an LTO License Card with the Wrong Name

If you receive a driver’s license with an incorrect name, you should immediately return it to the LTO and request a correction of records instead of using it. This mistake may happen due to human error during data entry, a mix-up in the printing process, or outdated personal information in the system. Correcting it right away by requesting a revision of your records is important because the wrong name makes your license invalid and could cause problems with identification or law enforcement. Fixing the error also helps keep your LTO record accurate and prevents delays in future transactions like renewals or upgrades.

LTO “Revision of Records” for Incorrect Names

The Revision of Records is the LTO’s process of updating or fixing personal details in your driver’s record.

This includes:

• Misspelled names
• Wrong name formats (e.g., first and last name switched)
• Incorrect entries in the LTO database

Good news: For first name or format errors, no court order is required — just your documents and affidavit. However, if your last name is incorrect, a court order is needed to authorize the change.

Who Can Request a Correction

You may apply for revision if you:

• Are a licensed driver in the Philippines
• Can read and write in Filipino, English, or any major dialect
• Have a valid or recently expired (within 2 years) driver’s license
• Have no pending traffic violation cases

Step-by-Step Guide

If you actually receive a license card with someone else’s name, then here are the steps to get it corrected:

Step 1: Secure an Affidavit of Discrepancy

• Visit a notary public to get an Affidavit of Discrepancy.
• This legal document explains that the license card you received shows the wrong name and that the card does not belong to you.
• Keep it safe, as this will be part of your LTO correction documents.

Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

Before heading to the LTO, prepare the following:

• Duly accomplished Application for Driver’s License form
• The incorrect license card you received
• Original Birth Certificate (PSA/NSO-authenticated) and a photocopy
• Affidavit of Discrepancy
• Latest Official Receipt (OR) of your last license transaction (if available)
• Any valid ID showing your correct name

Step 3: Visit the Nearest LTO Office

• Go to the LTO branch where you originally applied for your license.
• For typographical or clerical errors, you can also file your correction at the LTO License Section in East Avenue, Quezon City.
• If the issue involves a deeper record problem in the system, the local LTO office might refer your case to the Central Office for further action.

Step 4: Submit and Pay the Correction Fee

Once you’re at the LTO office:

• Go to the Customer Service Counter for an initial check.
• Submit all your documents to the evaluator for verification.
• Pay the Revision of Records fee — ₱30 only (same rate no matter how many fields are corrected).
• You will receive a temporary license or permit while waiting for your corrected plastic card.
• The LTO will notify you when the updated card is ready for release.

Why You Should Correct the Error Right Away

Here are some reasons why you need to get your license card corrected and replaced:

• It’s not a valid ID. The wrong license can’t be used as an official identification card.
• Avoid legal trouble. Using a license with another person’s name may lead to problems with law enforcement.
• Prevent misuse. Returning the incorrect card helps the LTO locate the rightful owner and avoid possible fraud.
• Future convenience. Fixing the issue now prevents delays during renewals or future transactions.

Quick Reminders

Here are a few things worth taking note of before you get started:

• You can process this in person at an LTO branch or online via the LTMS Portal.
• Bring complete documents to avoid multiple visits.
• Prepare small funds for notary, photocopies, and transportation.
• If you’re a Muslim applicant, you will need:
  • Two affidavits from disinterested persons
  • A Certification from the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA)

For a visual walkthrough on how to get this done, you may also check this video: 

When a driver passes away, their LTO driver’s license automatically becomes invalid because it is a personal privilege that cannot be transferred or used by anyone else. While there’s no law requiring families to surrender or cancel the license, doing so can help prevent identity theft or misuse. The LTO system will eventually mark the license as expired and remove it from active records after several years. However, relatives may formally request license cancellation by submitting a death certificate and other documents to the LTO for proper record closure.

Families who want to take this step can easily do so by preparing the necessary documents and contacting their nearest LTO branch or the Driver’s Assistance Branch. This guide explains what happens to the license of a deceased license holder and what can be done to protect the integrity of the deceased license holder.

What Happens to the License

Upon the death of a license holder, here’s what happens to the LTO driver’s license:

• Automatically invalid: A driver’s license is tied to a person’s individual qualifications and fitness to drive. When that person dies, the license loses its validity immediately.
• Non-transferable: Unlike vehicles, which can be inherited or included in the estate, a driver’s license cannot be passed on or reused.
• Not legally usable: Using a deceased person’s license for any purpose—such as identification or driving—is considered fraudulent.

Note: The family of the deceased may or may not choose to report the death of the license owner to the LTO, but there might be risks in not reporting it and requesting for cancellation. 

If the License Is Not Cancelled

If the family does not report the death or request cancellation, the LTO system will eventually tag the license as expired and, after ten (10) years, remove it from active records. However, leaving the license unreported can create risks, especially if the physical card is misplaced or stolen.

• Risk of identity theft: Fraudsters may use the deceased person’s license for illegal activities or false identification.
• Dormant record: Even if the license expires, it stays in the LTO database for up to ten years before being automatically deleted.

How to Request Cancellation of a Deceased License

To help protect the deceased’s identity and close their LTO record, families may request formal cancellation of the license. Here’s how:

Step 1. Secure the death certificate

• Get an original or certified true copy of the death certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Step 2. Write a formal request letter

• Address it to the LTO Driver’s Assistance in the LTO Branch, stating that you are requesting license cancellation due to the holder’s death.

Step 3. Attach the required documents

• PSA-issued death certificate
• A valid government-issued ID of the requester
• Proof of relationship to the deceased (e.g., birth or marriage certificate)

Step 4. Submit the documents

• You can send the documents via mail to the LTO Central Office or personally visit the nearest LTO District or Licensing Center.
• It’s best to call or visit your local branch first to confirm their specific process and requirements.

Optional License Storage

If a living driver decides to stop using their license, they may voluntarily surrender it to any LTO branch for storage.

• A storage fee applies, and the LTO will record the license as inactive.
• The record will remain in the system until the license expires or the holder re-applies.

For deceased holders, however, surrendering or canceling the license is recommended to avoid future complications.

For more information, you may visit the official LTO website or inquire directly at your local LTO office.