How to Change Color of Motor Vehicle in LTO

Changing the color of a motor vehicle is yet another one of the different ways one can modify their cars in the Philippines. As an important factor in car purchase, the color affects more than the car owner’s preferences, so such change is allowed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). However, being allowed the freedom to change your car color isn’t free. Changing car color comes with a hefty price and a list of documentary requirements that you need to prepare and submit. It’s also time-consuming as car repainting may take days. 

As an important factor when it comes to the car purchase process, the vehicle color is something that the automotive paint and coating companies spends a lot of effort to understand. They even use design and color experts to understand the trends and forecast the color that is likely to be popular in the coming years. With this much importance placed on colors, the LTO deemed it important that car owners are able to change them as they please, hence the LTO service that allows for change color in motor vehicles.

change color of vehicle in lto

LTO Vehicle Modifications: Change Color

There are different types of car or vehicle modifications. However, for our purposes, we are only discussing the changes in color for private and for-hire motor vehicles in the country. Just like other types of changes in motor vehicles though, a change in the color of a motor vehicle inherently changes the factory original look and exchanges it for a unique-looking customized car tailor-made to your needs and preferences. 

Changing the color of your vehicle naturally involves  more than just aesthetics and personal preference. Depending on the color of your car, it can look new and shiny, ragged, or even expensive. Color can also affect insurance premiums, residual value, the car temperature, and even the risk value of the car itself. Even getting a paint job for your car may cost differently for different colors.

Benefits of Changing the Color of a Motor Vehicle

Being able to change your vehicle’s color at will means enjoying the following benefits: 

  • You may upgrade your vehicle into one that suits your color preferences.
  • A change in vehicle color may give the car better resale value.
  • Depending on the type of color you choose, you may be able to enjoy lower car insurance premiums.
  • You may be able to get a safer car, if you believe that some colors actually make a car more risky.
  • It gives you freedom to decide what you want your car to look like.
  • You can enjoy a cooler temperature depending on the type of color you choose.

Eligibility to Change the Color of a Motor Vehicle

Just like when changing the body, changing the color of a motor vehicle is allowed to anyone who owns a registered motor vehicle and who intends to change his vehicle color for whatever reason. These changes are allowed by LTO, provided that those who are requesting for such change can present all the requirements and pay all the relevant LTO fees.

Requirements for Changing the Color of a Motor Vehicle

Car modifications resulting in changes in the car body design requires re-registration at the LTO to inform the relevant authorities of the changes. Like when you are applying to change the body of your motor vehicle, along with the steps, procedure requires the following list of documents from the applicants.

General Requirements

The basic requirements include the following:

Additional Requirements

The need for additional documents may vary depending on the type of change the car owner wishes to apply for. For changes in the car body design, here’s a list of the additional requirements 

  • Original Joint Affidavit of Change Color of owner and painter
  • Latest original Official Receipt (OR) of Motor Vehicle User Charge (MVUC) and other LTO fees payment
  • Clearance from Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG)
  • Endorsement from the Insurance Company
  • Actual inspection of MV with duly accomplished Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
  • Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)

How to File Application for Change Color of Motor Vehicles

Changing your vehicle color is a simple LTO process. Like other LTO transactions, it requires submission of the documentary requirements mentioned above. 

Here’s the step-by-step procedure on how to apply for a change color for your vehicle:

Step 1: Visit the LTO Office closest to you. 

Step 2: Secure a queue number at the LTO officer-in-charge and wait for your turn.

Step 3: Once your number is called, proceed to the transaction counters. 

Step 4: Submit all the required documents to the Evaluator for evaluation and computation of fees.

Step 5: Once the evaluation is completed, get the actual inspection of motor vehicles with duly accomplished Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) done.

Step 6: Once the MVIR is ready, proceed to the queue for the cashier window and wait for your turn.

Step 7: Once your name is called, pay for the necessary fees and secure an Official Receipt (OR).

Step 8: Once done, proceed to the Releasing Counter.

Step 9: Present the OR to get the new Certificate of Registration (CR), plates, stickers, and other requested documents.

Step 10: Once you have received the CR and other relevant documents, signs in the CR log book.

Where to File Application for Change in Vehicle Color

Filing for a change in color for your motor vehicle can be done in any LTO Office, district, or extension offices, whichever is more convenient.

Fees for LTO Change Color Transactions

The change color procedures for motor vehicles in LTO will require applicants to pay the following:

  • A total of one hundred pesos (P100.00) for the color change fee.
  • Other LTO fees (MVUC, etc.)

Video: Guide on the Requirements for Changing Color in LTO

You can learn more about the procedures on how to change color in LTO by watching this video from Kuya Kiw.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help make your application for change in vehicle body design as painless as possible, we rounded up the most common questions and answers related to it.

1. Can I apply for the change in car color from any LTO branch office?

Yes. You may file the change color application at any LTO branch, provided that they offer the service. 

2. Is there a difference when filing for applications for change of color between private and for hire vehicles?

Yes. Though the procedures may be similar, there are differences in documentary requirements so make sure you pay attention to it depending on your vehicle classification.

3. How much does it cost to get a paint job done on my car in the Philippines?

Depending on the type of paint job you require. For a whole-body repaint, it would cost anywhere between P30,000.00 to P50,000.00, depending on the auto paint shop and the paint to be used. On the other hand, if you decide to paint just a certain portion of your car, then it would cost a minimum of around P5,000.00 only.

4. Is LTO imposing a fee for changing the color of my car?

Yes. The LTO collects a P100.00 charge for changing the color of your car.

5. How long does it take to repaint my car?

It depends on the auto shop and the expertise of your car paint technician. However, on average, the process usually takes around two to three days.

6. Do I still need to pay for change color fees if I’m only painting my car hood?

No. However, you need to make sure that the main body color of your car is distinguishable and unchanged 

7. What is the best paint for my car?

The common answer is white as paint is the easiest color to find and even take care of.

Summary

The vehicle color may not seem all that important to many people, but it actually is an important factor that affects safety and insurance prices. It also has an effect on how risky a vehicle is or how hot it gets. Those who value individuality and personal expression, may also do so by changing the color of their car. Good thing, changing car color is allowed by the LTO, and a minimal price too. However, do note that there might be other LTO fees and a hefty price for the paint job to worry about. 

LTO Bangued Office Location and Contact Information

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Bangued refers to the lone LTO office based in Bangued, Abra: the LTO Abra District Office (DO). Like the other LTO branches in the Philippines, the LTO Abra District Office was also created so the agency can offer fast, convenient, accessible, and affordable LTO services to the people. With the LTO office in Bangued, Abra, the agency can now better monitor and regulate the local and visiting drivers, car owners, and operators, as well as the official vehicle use and the entire land transport service in the area and within its geographical area of responsibility (GAOR). The LTO, through this branch office in the Municipality of Bangued, also maintains its presence in the local land transport sector and ensures that its core programs and services reach the people—both drivers, operators, and pedestrians—whom they want to keep safe.  

With an LTO office in Bangued, the capital of the province of Abra well-known for its bamboo and rattan craft making industry, the agency hopes to bring the best of public land transport sector service to these parts. In doing so, the province of Abra as well as the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) can also improve the mobility for its main money-making produce which includes native coffee and famous woods like narra, mahogany, and molave. 

lto Bangued office location and contact number

What is LTO Bangued? 

LTO Bangued refers to the lone LTO office stationed in the Bangued, Abra: the LTO Abra District Office (DO). This LTO office is the frontline agency of the Central Office in these parts, tasked with offering the various LTO programs and services within the reach of the local transacting public in the Municipality of Bangued. It is through this office that the LTO brings closer its core programs and services as an agency, consequently making them available and accessible to the local residents who need them, particularly those who work behind the wheels and in the land transport sector.

LTO Abra District Office (DO)

As the one and only LTO branch office in Bangued, the LTO Abra District Office (DO) serves as the go-to office for both the local and the visiting drivers, car owners, and operators when filing for documents necessary for their compliance with the LTO rules and requirements. This branch office in Bangued also offers more affordable and better LTO services, bringing closer the activities and campaigns of the Secretariat in an effort to keep the people safe on the road without having them spend so much time and money to do so.

List of Services Offered by LTO Abra DO

All LTO services are meant to keep the public roads safe. These LTO services are meant to help the people meet the LTO requirements and prove that they are, indeed, roadworthy as drivers and vehicles, so they deserve to be allowed on the public roads. 

To learn more about what you can get from the different LTO agencies nationwide, including the LTO Abra DO, here’s a list of the most commonly availed LTO services:

  • License and Permit
    • Student Permit

    • New Driver’s License (Non-Professional)

    • Conductor’s License

    • Plain or Advance Renewal of Driver’s/Conductor’s License and Renewal of Driver’s License of Filipino Living Abroad

    • Miscellaneous License Transactions

    • Renewal of Driver’s / Conductor’s License with Examination [Expired for more than two (2) years] and/or with ten (10) or more but less than forty (40) Demerit Points

    • Change Classification from Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL)  Code to Professional Driver’s License Code with Same Driver’s License (PDL) Code

    • Additional Driver’s License Code/s

    • Conversion of Foreign Driver’s License to Philippine Driver’s License Including Renewal of Expired Philippine Driver’s License with a Valid Foreign Driver’s License

    • Change Classification from Professional Driver’s License (PDL) Code to Non-Professional Driver’s License Code (NPDL), Dropping of DL Code and Change Clutch Type

    • Request for System Updates (RSU) for Double License

    • Request for System Update (RSU) for License and Customer Details/Misrepresentation of Age/Identity

    • Accreditation of Medical Clinics – New

    • Accreditation of Medical Clinics – Renewal

    • Registration of Physicians – New

    • Registration of Physicians – Renewal

    • Accreditation of Driving School / Driving Enhancement Program Training Center – New

    • Accreditation of Driving School / Driving Enhancement Program Training Center – Renewal

    • Accreditation of Driving Instructor – New

    • Accreditation of Driving Instructor – Renewal

    • Examination for Driving School Instructors

    • Driving Enhancement Program (DEP)

  • Vehicle Registration
    • Initial Registration of Motor Vehicle (MV)

    • Renewal of Motor Vehicle (MV) Registration

    • Storage of Motor Vehicle

    • Miscellaneous Transactions

    • Re-Stamping of Engine/Chassis Number

    • Request for Motor Vehicle Verification

    • Motor Vehicle Inspection

  • Miscellaneous Transactions
    • Duplicate OR/CR

    • Duplicate Plate

    • Transfer of Ownership

    • Annotation & Cancellation of Mortgage

    • Revision of Records

    • Duplicate License (for Lost Licenses)

  • Insurance

  • Proper Driver Education

  • Law Enforcement
    • Settlement of Admitted Apprehension

    • Adjudication of Contested Apprehension

    • Encoding of Alarm

    • Filing of Complaint and Lifting of Alarm

    • Lifting of Alarm (Traffic Adjudication Service)

    • Certification of No Pending Apprehension and Alarm

  • Collection of fees from law enforcement violations

  • Drug testing

  • Emission testing

  • Inventory of Plates

  • Issuance of Vanity License Plates

  • Issuance of Special Plates

  • The use of self-service kiosks 

  • Process Application for New Driver’s License (DL) via the Automated Driver’s License Examination System (ADLES) Facility 

Since some LTO branches are not equipped enough to offer certain LTO services, it’s best to check with your preferred LTO branch office first, regardless if it is LTO Abra DO or otherwise, in order to confirm that the service you need is available there before visiting the LTO branch.

How to Contact LTO Bangued

Reaching out to LTO Bangued can be done either by making a call via the phone, by sending an email, or by sending a message via their official social media account. It can also be by visiting the LTO Abra DO directly or its supervising office, the LTO Region 14 (Cordillera Administrative Region — CAR) regional office. 

To reach out to the LTO Region 14 (CAR) regional office, please check the following contact information:

Land Transportation Office Region 14 – Office of the Regional Director

Agency Code: 1400
Office Address: 2nd Floor Post Office Building, Post Office Loop, Upper Session Road, Baguio City
Telephone Number: 074 423 1662
Head of Agency: Francis Ray A. Almora, CESO VI
Email Address: dotrcarofficial@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mondays-Fridays)

Contact Information

To reach out to LTO Abra District Office (DO), please check out the following:

LTO Abra District Office (DO)

Agency Code: 1408
Office Address: Bangued, Abra
Telephone Number: +639 299605662
Head of Agency: Engr. Angelique C. De Castro (OIC)
Email Address: ltobangueddo@gmail.com
Operating hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mondays to Fridays)

Where is Bangued, Abra

Bangued, officially known as the Municipality of Bangued, is a first class landlocked municipality and capital of the province of Abra. It has an elongated shape with a generally mountainous terrain from north to south and it sits in the western portion of the province. It has a total land area of 105.70 square kilometers (40.81 sq mi), bisected through the center with flat and rolling terrain that goes along the large Abra River. Its boundaries are defined by the Province of Ilocos Norte and the Municipality of Danglas in the north; La Paz, Tayum, and Peñarrubia in the east; San Isidro in the south, and Langiden and Pidigan in the west.

Bangued is accessible through the Abra-Ilocos Sur National Road from the west, Abra-Kalinga Road from the north-east, and Abra-Ilocos Norte Road from the North. It is 408 kilometers (254 mi) from Manila, 196 kilometers (122 mi) from Baguio, and 65 kilometers (40 mi) from Vigan.

Google Map Location

To learn more about the travel routes and the driving directions to Bangued and the LTO Abra District Office (DO), you may check the map below:

LTO Abra District Office (DO)

LTO Conduction Sticker Verification for Plate Number in Motor Vehicle

Verifying conduction stickers is yet another Land Transportation Office (LTO) service that motor vehicle owners, particularly the aspiring and the new ones, may avail of. It is a particularly important service, as conduction stickers are important in the verification of whether a motor vehicle has been legally purchased from recognized car makers or not. It also serves as a legal permit to transport the vehicle, and just recently, it was declared to be of use as a temporary plate. 

Conduction stickers are issued by car makers upon the release of a new car to a buyer. It reflects alphanumeric character series assigned by the LTO to the accredited manufacturer. The conduction sticker serves as the car’s identifier and much like a fingerprint, it is unique to  each car. Though the LTO believes that there is no reason to create fake conduction stickers as it loses its use once a number plate is released, it isn’t impossible. That said, the LTO has made it possible to verify conduction stickers and put new car owners at ease. 

lto conduction sticker verification process

Verification of Conduction Stickers

Verification of conduction stickers refers to the provision of authenticated information of motor vehicles using the conduction sticker. By checking the series of letters and numbers on the sticker, one may be able to check if the conduction sticker is authentic and legally acquired. It may also be used to check if the car’s license plate is already available for pickup at the designated LTO office. 

Though the LTO doesn’t provide the sticker to individuals, it does have the ability to verify its authenticity. After all, the series of letters and numbers appearing on the conduction sticker is assigned by the LTO and issued to the car makers for printing and distribution. Each set of alphanumeric series follows an LTO-prescribed template for uniformity. There’s a part of that temporary plate where the MV File Number is also indicated. The alphanumeric series in the conduction sticker is also unique to one car, so it is easily identifiable and verifiable via the verification of conduction sticker service offered by the LTO. 

Benefits

Some of the benefits of having an authenticated motor vehicle conduction sticker includes:

  • Knowing and having the document to prove that the use of a vehicle is legal even before its initial registration.

  • Having a legal and authentic temporary number plate. 

  • Having a valid proof that a vehicle is adequately procured in the Philippines from a recognized assembler, importer, or distributor.

  • It is proof that the vehicle is allowed to travel legally. 

  • It serves as the motor vehicle temporary ID which includes details of the motor vehicle including the ownership, allowing it to be traceable to the authorities.

Who May Avail

All car owners, especially the new and the aspiring ones, are expected to have conduction stickers stuck to their newly-bought motor vehicle. That said, they are also able to verify it, if they wish to. Along with the car owners, some government offices may also request for verification, as needed.

Requirements

When requesting for verification of conduction stickers, it is a must to first prepare the following documentary requirements:

  • Letter Request/Order

  • Copy of any of the following valid Identification Card of the requesting party
    • Philippine Identification (PhilID) Card

    • Philippine passport

    • Social Security System (SSS) Card, 

    • UMID Card

    • PhilHealth ID

    • TIN Card

    • Postal ID

    • Voter’s ID

    • Barangay ID

    • Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID

    • Senior Citizen ID

    • OFW ID

    • Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID

    • National Council of Disabled Affairs (NCDA) ID

    • Solo Parent ID

    • Voter’s Certification

    • Government Services and Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card

    • Seaman’s Book

    • Government Owned and/or Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID, 

    • Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG ID

    • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification, 

    • Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID

How to Verify LTO Motor Vehicle Conduction Sticker

Once the documents are ready, you may proceed with the process of requesting for verification of conduction stickers. 

To make a request to verify conduction stickers at the LTO, simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the Operations Division at the LTO Central Office in East Ave., Diliman, Quezon City.

Step 2: Proceed to the Service Counter and submit the requirements to the designated officer at the Office of the Chief, Operations Division in the LTO Central Office. 

Step 3: Wait for the documents to be evaluated and verified by the designated personnel from Technical Evaluation Section (TES) – Operations Division.

Step 4: Once the documents are verified, wait for the printed copy of the verified conduction sticker to be released. 

With an authenticated copy proving that your car is bearing a legitimate conduction sticker, you may go ahead and conduct whatever other business you needed the document for. 

Fees

The LTO verification of conduction sticker service offered to all motor vehicle owners in the Philippines or to those who seek to check for the authenticity of a conduction sticker is free of charge so there is no need to pay anything at the LTO.

Where to Get It Done

To request for verification of conductions stickers, those who intend to do so must go directly to the Operations Division of the LTO Central Office in East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

Important Reminders

For your reference, here are some tips you need to remember:

  • As of January 2018, conduction stickers are allowed to be used as temporary plates, according to the LTO.

  • The series of alphanumeric characters in the conduction stickers is not necessary to check for the availability of the vehicle’s number plate at the LTO.

  • Cars that are still using conduction stickers are also subject to Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding.

  • There are two types of conduction stickers: The newer yellow conduction sticker, and the white-colored conduction stickers released before 2012.

  • The conduction sticker of a motor vehicle is important as it allows the legal use of the vehicle before and while acquiring a plate number.

  • Conduction stickers are not issued by the LTO. 

  • The alphanumeric series in the conduction stickers are assigned by the LTO and is unique to every car, much like a fingerprint. 

  • Motor vehicles can also be traced and identified via the conduction stickers.

Video: When to Remove your Car’s Conduction Sticker?

For more information on whether you may or may not remove your car’s conduction sticker, you may check out this video from Kuya Shane:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help make your request for verification of conduction stickers as painless as possible, here are some common questions and answers about it.

1. Is it possible to check your LTO license plate availability if a car is still using a conduction sticker?

No. It is possible to check for the availability of the proper LTO license plates online by typing in your 15-digit MV number on the Motor Vehicle 7-Character Plate Backlog Inquiry page and the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal. However, the car’s conduction number is not necessary to do so. Nevertheless, the vehicle’s conduction sticker can be used temporarily in lieu of the license plates if it still isn’t available.

2. Is a car’s conduction sticker the same as the plate number?

No. The car’s conduction sticker is different from the LTO license plate. However, as of January 2018, the LTO has announced that the conduction numbers can be used as a temporary plate. while waiting for the proper LTO plate number to be issued.

3. What’s the difference between the white and yellow conduction stickers?

Aside from the obvious difference in color, the yellow-colored conduction sticker is the newer one, while the conduction stickers with white color were issued prior to 2012.

4. Is the conduction sticker alphanumeric series the same as the MV number?

No. The conduction sticker alphanumeric series is different from the MV file number. The conduction sticker series is issued to the motor vehicle owner by the car makers and was assigned by the LTO, whereas the MV file number is a 15-digit series found on the vehicle’s certificate of registration.

5. Is the car bearing conduction stickers only still subject to the number coding scheme? 

Yes. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a car despite still using its conduction sticker is still subject to the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding. That said, the last digit on your car’s conduction sticker number will still determine the day where it is subject to the UVVRP.

6. How do I reach out to the LTO for questions or concerns regarding my car’s conduction sticker?

For inquiries and other concerns, you may reach out to the Operations Division of the LTO Central Office via the following contact information:

Land Transportation Office (LTO) Central Office – Operations Division

Office Address: LTO Compound, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Email: ltomailbox@lto.gov.ph
Head of Office: Danilo J. Encela
Telephone Number: (02) 8921 9075

Summary

As mentioned above, it is crucial to have a legal and valid conduction sticker for legal use before getting an official plate number. In short, until a car already has plates, the car conduction sticker stays. Once the LTO number plate is issued, the car owner may or may not remove the conduction sticker. Though the LTO believes there is no reason to manufacture fake conduction stickers, there is a way to verify the authenticity of the conduction stickers via the Operations Division at the LTO Central Office. 

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