LTO Plate Number Check: How to Verify Plate Number via LTO Online

Registering a car or any motor vehicle and getting a plate number with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) can be a long and tedious process. Unfortunately, it is mandatory for all car owners, especially if they want to go test it out on the road. Equally important is the LTO plate number check, as it involves verification of the car’s number plates and registration, especially for second-hand vehicles. 

Also Read: How to Register in LTMS Portal Online

The LTO plate number check, unlike the vehicle registration, is a simple, albeit, often understated process that car owners and drivers should not skip out on. Luckily, the process is simple and short, and would not take as much time as registration does. In this article, we looked into LTO plate number verification online, including its importance, processes, and the benefits it offers to both drivers and car owners alike.

lto plate number check how to verify plate number online

LTO Plate Number Check: What is It For

The LTO plate number check is the process of verifying to whom a car is registered to, or whether that car has been tagged by the LTO as a carnapped or a hot car; or whether it has a bad record with regards to driver apprehension. With the LTO plate number verification service made available online, the drivers and aspiring car owners can also do away with the suffering of waiting in long queues or even having to step outside to visit the LTO office just to check on their number plates. The LTO IT infrastructure has also made it so to provide an easier way for those who need to check number plates, its status, and its registration without the stress of making physical trips to LTO offices nationwide.

As the number plates were created to provide vehicles with a unique identity, it is especially helpful for people who purchase pre-loved vehicles to check on number plates. Not only does it help them confirm any information on the vehicle, but it also helps ensure that the new owner will not get in trouble for purchasing stolen items when they start driving it on public roads.

In simpler terms, running an LTO plate number check via LTO online should provide the searcher with the following information:

  • Plate number of the car;
  • Car Make and model;
  • Manufacturing year;
  • Car color;
  • Last registration date; 
  • Any apprehension records with the LTO

Verifying a car’s license plate ensures that each vehicle driven on public roads are valid and legal so drivers and car owners can avoid as many legal problems and safety problems as possible. License plates are extremely helpful in upholding traffic laws and making sure regulations are followed as it is unique and easy for authorities to trace.

Who Can Use the LTO Plate Number Check Online

This LTO online service that allows users to verify number plates is effective and helpful to the following people and circumstances:

  • People who are purchasing a pre-loved car from a person they don’t really know;
  • People who need to rent or borrow a car; and
  • Drivers who wish to avoid being asked or having to answer too many questions when apprehended by the police
  • People whose jobs involve driving another person’s car
  • Car owners who wish to check on cars that they have let out or lent to other people
  • Authorities who need to check the legitimacy of a car’s registration or the car’s apprehension history

What are the Benefits of Verifying Your Plate Number through LTO Online

Verifying the LTO plate number online can be considered good public service from the agency to the drivers and aspiring car owners for the following reasons:

  • There’s no need to go to the LTO branch to check on the license plate.
  • It’s time-saving as you don’t have to take time away from work or family to complete the verification.
  • It support longer family time since there’s no need to wait in line at the agency branches.
  • It’s convenient as they just need a mobile or computing device—be it a desktop or laptop computer or even a tablet or a smartphone—to run the LTO plate number check any time of the day.
  • It helps promote administrative procedures since this service helps them do away with a trip to the department registry to get the information they need.
  • It helps them find the nearest toll where they can pay to re-register their vehicles after looking up information on their license plates.

What do You Need to Verify Your Plate Number Online

Running an LTO plate number verification online is a simple process that doesn’t require much except for the following:

  • An active Internet connection
  • A device—be it a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet
  • The 15-digit motor vehicle (MV) number found on the Certificate of registration or the information on the number plate to check

How to Verify Plate Number via LTO Online

A plate number verification can be done in different ways. In this guide, however, you are only going to learn about how it’s done online for convenience.

To verify your plate number via LTO online, here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Visit the website for LTO plate verification at: http://www.lto.net.ph/LTO/Online.

Step 2: Enter the 15-digit MV number written on the top-left side of your certificate of registration. 

Step 3: Enter the verification code.

Step 4: Click “search.” Once done, you should see any of the following prompts:

  • This vehicle information cannot be found

Seeing this prompt will require you to maybe check on the vehicle information again as you may have entered the wrong vehicle information.

  • Wrong verification code

This prompt simply means that your confirmation code was wrong or you may have entered the wrong one.

  • License plate information is available

This prompt means that both the MV number information and confirmation code you have entered is correct.

Based on these results, you may then continue checking your LTO plate number online.

Important Reminders

Should you decide to use the LTO plate number check service online, here are some things you’d want to remember:

  • In addition to the LTO plate number verification online, you can also utilize the LTO SMS plate number verification system to see if the plate number and registration are legitimate though it doesn’t come free.
  • Note that the online LTO plate number verification only works for private vehicles. 
  • It is unclear if public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) like such as taxis, tricycles, motorcycles, and trucks are included in the LTO’s verification system database. 
  • The LTO plate number check online and SMS verification is only serviceable during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 
  • The LTO SMS plate number verification charges P2.50 for every successfully sent message regardless of network service (Globe, TNT, Smart, Sun Cellular, Dito, or Gomo)
  • This LTO plate number verification service can be extremely helpful if you do not want to stay too long at a police or a military checkpoint as you can just show them the message from the LTO proving that your car is totally clear of any apprehension and records.
  • This service is also quite useful for the police force, especially if they are out to get crooks and carnappers in a checkpoint.
  • Having a valid and legal number plate enables both drivers and aspiring car owners to avoid as many legal problems and safety problems as possible.
  • The 

Video: LTO Verification for Motorcycles, Vehicles, and Driver’s License in the Philippines

More than the boom of Internet services and advanced technologies, the advent of online services were brought forth by the modern need for “instant gratification” and convenience. In the Philippines, the LTO has adapted to modern times by offering LTO plate number checks online, but aside from that, they also offered an SMS version. 

To learn more about the LTO SMS plate number verification service, you may watch this video from Polisia Coo below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

License plates are an integral part of every motor vehicle. Registration is one thing, but you may also run plate number checks by yourself online. If tou’re checking out the service, you’d want to check these common questions and answers first, for your reference. 

1. What is an LTO plate number?

An LTO plate number is a unique vehicle identifier issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in a bid to help protect the security of both drivers and car owners. It’s like the vehicle’s ID with a unique number. Through this ID, law enforcers can track and tell whether a vehicle has the right to be used and driven on public streets or if it’s carnapped or stolen from someone else.

2. Is there another convenient way to check for your plate number aside from going through LTO online?

Yes. Other than checking via LTO online, there is another way which involves using your phone and sending an SMS.  

To learn how you can check your plate number by sending an SMS, listed below are the steps: 

Step 1: Open up your phone and your text messaging app.

Step 2: Type the message, “LTO VEHICLE [your vehicle’s plate number].”

Step 3: Send the message to 2600. Once sent, you should receive details about your car as well as verify your plate number. 

Note: This service is available for all networks but only on work days. It also costs Php 2.50, regardless if you received a reply or not, as long as the message has been sent. To make sure you’re getting it right and not wasting your Php 2.50, then make sure to send the message in proper format only during LTO office hours, Mondays thru Fridays, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

You may also use the text service to check on other things by using the following keywords:

  • LTO NEW NON PRO: Requirements for new non-professional driver’s license
  • LTO RENEW NON PRO: Requirements for renewal of non-professional driver’s license
  • LTO NEW STUDENT: Requirements for a new student permit
  • LTO NEW REG PRIVATE: Procedures for new registration of private vehicles
  • LTO RENEW REG PRIVATE: Procedures for renewal of registration of private vehicles
  • LTO COMPLAINT PUV (PLATE NUMBER) (COMPLAINT): Complaints regarding for-hire motor vehicles

3. Why is it important to run verification checks on your plate number?

As the main purpose of a license plate is to ensure that each vehicle is trackable while it is being driven on public roads, it was especially designed to give each vehicle a unique identity. Checking on this “unique identity” is like checking on a person’s ID. It gives the information on the identity of the car, which includes the following information:

  • Plate number of the car;
  • Car Make and model;
  • Manufacturing year;
  • Car color;
  • Last registration date; 
  • Any apprehension records with the LTO

4. Where can I find the 15-digit Motor Vehicle (MV) number?

The 15-digit Motor Vehicle (MV) number can be found in the original official receipt/certificate of registration (ORCR). If you check your OR/CR, you will see your Motor Vehicle (MV) number on the top-left side. You will need this to run plate number checks. Once the system recognizes the status, it will tell you all the registration information as well as when and where you can pick your plate up from an LTO office, if it has not yet been released.

5. Is there a fee in availing this service?

No. If you are running an LTO plate number verification online, then you do not need to worry about paying any fee. However, if you are checking for the playe number via the LTO SMS service, then there is a certain fee to avail of this specific service. Regardless of the network service provider you use, the fee would be P2.50.

6. What if I am subscribed to a specific promo, would I still be charged P2.50 for the LTO SMS plate number verification service?

Yes. Even if you are subscribed to a text promo with your network service provider, you will still get a P2.50 charge deducted from your current load credit upon availing this specific service.

7. Why is the LTO Online Plate Number Verification suspended?

In November 2020, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) teamed up with Stradcom Corporation so they can provide the agency with the IT services it needs. Unfortunately, there was a misconfiguration of the old website, resulting in vulnerability and eventual information leak, which hackers did not pass up on. The hack tapped into LTO’s connection, resulting in the leak of 9,952 driver’s license details and 19,406 motor vehicle data, including information on the car’s manufacturer, plate number, engine number, chassis number, registration expiry, owner, and whether the vehicle is a private or public utility vehicle. The stolen data was then stored on lisensya.info.

Summary

Running an LTO plate number check or verification online is best done via LTO online. It does not only save time and effort, but it also offers convenience which os really quite attractive when availing any government service. However, it is not the only way to run such check. If you are willing to shell oit a minimal fee of Php 2.50, then the option to do this via SMS is also available to you. 

Knowing that your LTO plate number is free of apprehension and has updated registration will help you avoid getting into trouble while driving stress-free around the country. It also helps authorities trace MVs that were used in the commission of a crime as it is through the number plates that cars are tracked. 

The LTO plate number check may not seem as important as getting a driver’s license or processing a motor vehicle registration, but it actually serves a very important purpose, especially for those who are looking to buy second-hand cars or drive cars for others. It not only ensure that the car is “clean” and won’t cause legal problems to the new owner in the future. 

Contact Information

Land Transportation Office (LTO)
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.
Telephone Number: You may contact them at their telephone number (632) 922-9061 to 66.
Email: You may also send them an email at clientcare@lto.gov.ph.
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
LTO office: For information, you may check the LTO branch closest to you.

How to Get a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR)

Securing a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) is one of the most crucial steps for people whose cars have been carnapped or stolen. It is an important process, as the Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) issued by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) is one of the requirements when declaring the loss at the LTO and when filing an insurance claim for carnapped or stolen vehicles.

Losing your car to a carnapper or otherwise is going to hurt. Luckily, this is the time to get your insurance to pay for your losses. Before you can do that, however, you will need to satisfy the documentary requirements and prove that the motor vehicle unit is, indeed, stolen or carnapped. One of them is the PNP-HPG’s Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR).

certificate of non recovery cnr philippines

What is a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR)

A Certificate of Non-Recovery is a certification document requested from and issued by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to prove that the person bearing the document once had a car, got it stolen or carnapped, and to date, that car is yet to be retrieved. 

The Certificate of Non-Recovery is of particular importance to car owners or their authorized representative in cases when they wish to file insurance claims for the theft or loss of the vehicle. After all, whether or not you got your car back will matter in determining the amount of the insurance payout to be received.

Who can Avail the Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) from PNP-HPG

The following people are the only ones who are eligible to or are allowed to request for and acquire a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR):

  • Registered owner and authorized representative of motor vehicle
  • Victims of stolen or carnapped vehicles 
  • Registered owners of stolen or carnapped vehicles 
  • Representatives of victims or registered owners of motor vehicle with Special Power of Attorney (SPA)

Requirements for Getting a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) from PNP-HPG

Listed below are the complete documentary requirements that one must prepare if he wants to request for a Certificate of Non-recovery as a requirement at LTO and for his insurance claims following the loss or theft of a motor vehicle:

  • One (1) original copy of duly filled up application form  
  • One (1) original copy of a Valid Government-issued photo ID 
  • One (1) original copy of the Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if the applicant is an authorized representative of the owner
  • One (1) original copy of the valid ID of both representative and owner (for those who are using an SPA) 
  • One (1) original copy of a certificate issued by the corporate Secretary along with the Board Resolution if the MV is company owned 
  • One (1) original copy of the valid ID of both representative and Corporate Secretary to be attached to the certification and board resolution
  • One (1) original copy of the MV Insurance Policy 
  • One (1) original copy of the approved Certificate of Nationwide Alarm issued by the PNP-HPG

Procedures for Getting a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) from PNP-HPG

To secure a Certificate of Non-Recovery from the PNP-HPG, here are the steps that you need to follow:

Step 1: Fill up the CNR application form and wait for the duty investigator to check the completeness of the details needed.

Step 2: Submit the other documentary requirements to verify records and alarm number from HPG Vehicle Information Management System (VIMS)

Step 3: Wait for the IR/Memorandum to be prepared and approved by the PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearing Committee (MVCC) and PNP-HPG Director.

Step 4: Upon approval, wait for the VIMS to be encoded at the Records Section of the PNP-HPG MV Clearance Division (MVCD).

Step 5: Proceed to the Releasing Section for the release of the CNR to the applicant or registered owner or authorized representative.

Where to Apply for a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR)

When applying for or requesting for a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) from the PNP-HPG for your insurance claims, then you would need to visit the Office of the Motor Vehicle Complaint Section (MVCS).

Processing Time for a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR)

Requesting for a Certificate of Non-Recovery is a crucial part of making insurance claims for lost or stolen vehicles. That said, it is inevitable for one to go through the procedures for applying for one which would take approximately 11 working days and 8 minutes in total.

Important Reminders

For your reference, here are some important things you need to pay attention to:

  • Within thirty (30) days from inclusion of the motor vehicle in the HPG Nationwide Alarm and no report of recovery has been made, a correspondingCertificate of Non-Recovery, signed by the Director of the PNP-HPG will be issued to the applicant or complainant.
  • For motor vehicles included in the HPG Watchlist, the Chief Investigation and Detection Management Division of the HPG shall cause the issuance of the appropriate certification regarding the non-recovery of the said motor.
  • For motor vehicles included in the HPG Watchlist, the Chief Investigation and Detection Management Division of the HPG shall cause the issuance of the appropriate certification regarding the non-recovery of the said motor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For more information, here are some common questions and answers related to getting a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) from PNP-HPG.

1. What happens if your car was stolen and not recovered after 30 days?

If your car is not recovered within 30 days, the insurance company will declare it a total loss and pay the car’s value. Before you can file for a claim, then, you’ll need the documents to prove your claims which include the Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) from PNP-HPG.

2. When can I start the insurance claim process after my motor vehicle is carnapped?

Usually, the PNP-HPG can and will issue a certificate of non-recovery (for insurance claims) after 90 days. However, it will require you to be prepared to process a lot of paperwork, including copies of the complaint sheets, sales invoice, PNP-HPG motor vehicle clearance certificate, and other proof of ownership. Only then can you start with your insurance claim.

3. When should I get a Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) from PNP-HPG?

The Certificate of Non-Recovery of vehicle issued by the PNP-HPG is issued as follows:

Within thirty (30) days from inclusion of the motor vehicle in the HPG Nationwide Alarm and no report of recovery has been made, a correspondingCertificate of Non-Recovery, signed by the Director of the PNP-HPG will be issued to the applicant or complainant.

Summary

A Certificate of Non-Recovery (CNR) is, perhaps, one of the most important documents issued by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG). It is of particular importance when declaring the loss at the LTO and when filing an insurance claim for carnapped or stolen vehicles. After all, this will help the insurance company decide whether or not it is a total loss and whether to give you the full value or just a portion of it. Just make sure you don’t make untrue claims to avoid having to face any legal repercussions in the future. 

List of LTO-Accredited Medical Clinics

When applying for a driver’s license (DL) in the Philippines, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) requires all DL applicants, regardless of classification, to submit an LTO medical certificate. The certificate is issued by LTO-accredited medical clinics and physicians nationwide. These clinics are usually strategically located near LTO offices, in a bid to make securing the required medical certificates easier for aspiring drivers. 

Also Read: List of LTO-Accredited Driving Schools

As the medical certificate requirement is for everyone, those who are applying for a student driver’s license, a non-professional driver’s license, and a professional driver’s license, as well as those who are renewing their driver’s license would be interested to know what and where these LTO-accredited clinics are and what they are actually for.

list of lto accredited medical clinics philippines

What is an LTO-Accredited Clinic?

In a bid to ensure that no health condition, disease, or disability will cause drivers to meet any vehicular accident, the LTO has recently made changes to the requirements for driver’s license application and renewal. In the recent change, they mandated the electronic submission of medical certificates for aspiring drivers. These medical certificates must be secured from LTO-accredited clinics and physicians—or those medical clinics and physicians who have registered with and have been acknowledged by the agency as legitimate.

LTO-accredited medical clinics are clinics that received the LTO’s stamp of approval. These clinics made it beyond the LTO screening process—from the computerization requirements to the registration via the LTO’s IT system, the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) Medical Clinics Portal, submission of the necessary documentation, and validation and screening. 

The accredited clinics are expected to have their own IT infrastructure to meet the computerization requirements. This is so they can offer the required digital services including biometric examination and uploading of results in the LTO system. 

Also Read: How to Renew LTO Driver’s License Guide

Purpose of LTO Clinics

The LTO-accredited clinics are the go-to clinics for the medical examination and medical certificate processing of aspiring drivers in the Philippines. These clinics have received the stamp of approval from LTO after satisfying the conditions of accreditation—from the size to computerization requirements.

With this stamp of approval, the clinics make it to the list of LTO-accredited medical clinics waiting to receive driver’s license applicants who need LTO medical certificates. 

Qualifications

The LTO-accredited medical clinics are specially selected to offer medical diagnostic services to the following LTO clients:

  • Foreigners in the Philippines who are looking to secure a driver’s license
  • Filipinos who are looking to apply for a new student driver’s license
  • Filipinos who are looking to renew their existing or expired driver’s license
  • Filipinos who wish to change their driver’s license classification
  • Filipinos who wish to change the restriction codes on their driver’s license
  • People whose driver’s license has been revoked after having been found to be an improper person to operate motor vehicles
  • Any person who has committed, or has served as an accessory to, any crime 
  • Any person who has committed, or has served as an accessory to act which endangers the public while driving
  • Any person who has accumulated at least forty demerit points 
  • Drivers who have been subject to an outright revocation of driver’s license under Section 16 of the IRR of RA 10930
  • Filipinos or foreign nationals in the Philippines whose driver’s license has been revoked for any other lawful reason except in cases where perpetual disqualification from being granted a license has been imposed.
  • Drivers whose license has five-year validity and are nearing their 3rd birthdate from the issuance of their license.
  • Drivers whose license has a ten-year validity period and are nearing either their 4th or 7th birthdays from the issuance of their license.

What can DL Applicants Get from LTO-Accredited Clinics?

Driver’s License applicants who are visiting any of the LTO-accredited medical clinics or physicians can get the following:

  • Medical tests, including:
    • Eye tests
    • Hearing and speaking test
    • Blood test
  • Physical exam
    • Disabilities Check
    • Blood Pressure
    • Medical History
  • Existing Medical Conditions Check
  • Neuro-psychiatric assessment or exam
  • Drug test

The LTO requires checking on these things to ensure that those who would eventually be allowed to drive will not be a danger to himself and others. The drug test, for instance, will ensure that the applicant doesn’t abuse illegal narcotics. The eye test, on the other hand, ensures that the applicant meets the standard distant binocular visual acuity of not less than 20/40 by Snellen (or 0.5, 6/12) in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses, or in some cases the following restrictions:

  • 20/50 vision qualifies for driving with corrective glasses/lenses
  • 20/60 vision qualifies for daytime driving only
  • Persons with cataracts are not allowed to drive at night

Aside from these tests, applicants will also get an LTO medical certificate, though it would be electronically transmitted directly to LTO. The medical certificate would serve as proof that the person whose name appears on the certificate is qualified and capable of driving safely. The medical certificate would also include the following information:

  • DL applicant’s full name 
  • Complete address
  • Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) number  
  • Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) number of the Physician who did the exam
  • Any form of disabilities, including:
    • Orthopedically Impaired
      • For upper limbs: Amputated left or right arm with prosthesis
      • For lower limbs: Amputated left or right leg with prosthesis
      • Post-Poliomyelitis: With one paralyzed leg either left or right
    • Partially blind
    • Speech and Hearing Impaired
    • Free from highly contagious diseases (for PDL applicants)
  • All other existing diseases or medical conditions or disabilities. 

List of LTO-Accredited Clinics Philippines

So how do you know which clinics and doctors you can visit for your medical exam? 

If you need to know the nearest LTO-accredited clinics and physicians who can issue an online-only medical certificate that you can use when you apply for or renew your LTO license in Metro Manila and the regions, check out this list of LTO accredited clinics and physicians below

Note: The list is Updated as of July 30, 2022.

Important Reminders

When scouring the Internet for the nearest or most accessible LTO-accredited clinics and physicians to secure your medical certificate from, here are some things you’d want to remember:

  • The new LTO process requires accredited clinics to transmit the medical certificate directly to LTO through an online platform. 
  • The entire process of electronically sending LTO medical certificates only takes about 8 minutes.
  • LTO implemented the online-only medical certificate requirement to reduce the incidence of fraud and fixers of medical certificates.
  • Memorandum Circular 2018-2157 which requires electronic medical certificates from clinics rolled out in December 2018 to better streamline all types of drivers’ and conductors’ license applications.
  • Before the medical certificate can be submitted to the LTO via the LTMS Medical Clinics portal, both the examining physician and the license applicant must have their biometric finger scans. 
  • If the LTO-accredited clinics near the LTO offices are closed or unavailable, any LTO-accredited clinic will do when applying for the mandatory medical certificate.
  • It doesn’t really matter which LTO-accredited medical clinic you decide to get tested. 
  • The important thing to consider when acquiring a medical certificate for LTO is that the medical clinic and the physician is accredited by the agency.

Video: How to Find Medical Clinics Accredited by LTO in Philippines

Check out this video to learn how to find medical clinics nearest you that are accredited by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the Philippines. The LTO is responsible for regulating road safety and vehicle registration, and its requirement for accreditation means that these clinics meet certain standards for providing quality healthcare services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For your reference, here are some common questions and answers regarding the LTO-accredited medical clinics and physicians:

1. What is an LTO-accredited medical clinic?

An LTO-accredited medical clinic is a medical clinic duly registered on the LTO IT system. These clinics have been vetted by the agency before they are recognized and allowed to issue medical certificates to driver’s license applicants. 

2. What could be the possible reason for this change in terms of the submission of medical certificates to LTO?

This change is caused by the increasing number of applicants who submit fake or fabricated medical certificates to LTO. In a bid to put a stop to this problem, LTO has become stricter and started mandating that the clinic release the medical certificate straight to the LTO in order to regulate the incidence of fake medical certificates of individuals who aspire to drive on Philippine roads.

3. What is the legal basis for this change? 

The LTO, in an effort to serve the public better and conform with the mandate of the Republic Act (R.A.) 11032, Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivery of Government Services Act of 2018 to automate transactions, issued and implemented the Memorandum Circular No. 2018-2157 on the Revised Guidelines for Medical Examination, Accreditation of Medical Clinics and Registration of Physicians Relative to the Issuance of Medical Certificate to Student-Driver’s Permits on Driver’s/Conductor’s License Applicants. The circular mandates the change, necessitating the need for online medical certificate submission in the LTO system.

4. How much is the medical fees in LTO-accredited clinics?

According to LTO, they have not set a specific price range on the cost of the medical exams so the price may vary depending on the clinic and at the clinic’s discretion. Numerous reports, however, placed the price at Php 450.00 to Php 500.00 for the said medical examination for license applications in the Philippines.

5. Can I visit an LTO-accredited clinic on weekends?

To learn about whether LTO-accredited clinics operate on weekends, license applicants are encouraged to reach out to the clinic they intend to visit. The LTO, on the other hand, usually only operates on weekdays, much like all other government offices. Some branches, however, open and accept various license application and renewal transactions on Saturdays. You simply have to reach out to the LTO branch to check first.

Summary

LTO-accredited clinics and physicians came about after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) decided to put a stop to the increasing incidence of fake or fabricated medical certificates. It was the agency’s attempt for stricter regulation of who may or may not operate motor vehicles legally to ensure road safety, both for the motorists and pedestrians. By ensuring that the medical certificates are not tampered before it reaches them, thr LTO can accurately restrict drivers with certain medical conditions and disabilities from driving when they shouldn’t, effectively doing away with potential risks of accidents due to diseases and disabilities. 

Sure, if you have been driving for a long time, you may feel that the new requirements may be a bit too much, but if you really think about it, this is but the government’s attempt to stop you from being a danger to yourself and to others while driving on the public roads anywhere in the country. Suppose you didn’t know that you are suffering from hypertension and you suddenly get cardiac arrest while, you can just imagine how much damage it could cost, not only to the driver and to government properties, but also to unfortunate pedestrians who happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. 

That said, we hope that with this guide, drivers in the Philippines can be more understanding of the newer policies that the agency implements as they are usually rolled out with good intentions in mind.

Contact Information

Land Transportation Office (LTO)
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.
Telephone Number: You may contact them at their telephone number (632) 922-9061 to 66.
Email: You may also send them an email at clientcare@lto.gov.ph.
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
LTO office: For information, you may check the LTO branch closest to you.

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