President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12209, which updates the safety rules and penalties related to the use and registration of motorcycles in the country. The law amends Republic Act No. 11235, also known as the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.
Why it matters: The updated law aims to address gaps in motorcycle registration, enhance traceability of motorcyclists, and standardize penalties for violations. It also seeks to strengthen crime prevention efforts involving motorcycles and clarify the responsibilities of dealers, buyers, and law enforcers.
Stricter Timelines and Responsibilities
Under RA 12209, both dealers and individual owners are now required to register or report the sale or disposition of motorcycles to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) within five working days. New owners must complete the transfer of ownership within 20 working days. For dealership sales with payment terms, a written agreement must be provided stating that ownership remains with the seller until full payment is made.
Dealers must also report any repossession to the LTO and submit annual reports on the status of motorcycles in their custody. A fine of up to PHP 5,000 will be imposed for failure to comply with these rules, although no motorcycle will be seized just because the buyer failed to process the registration.
Number Plate Rules Tightened
The law reaffirms the requirement for bigger, readable, and color-coded number plates that must be visible from at least 15 meters behind the motorcycle. These plates must also be made from durable materials as prescribed by the LTO.
Driving without a number plate or a readable one is prohibited. Violators may be fined up to PHP 5,000. Law enforcers are allowed to seize motorcycles under these conditions, but only if the owner fails to show proof of ownership or demonstrate they are not at fault for the missing plate.
Lost or Stolen Plates Must Be Reported
If a plate is lost, damaged, or stolen, the motorcycle owner must report it to the LTO and the Philippine National Police (PNP) within 72 hours and request a replacement. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to PHP 5,000. If the missing plate is used in a crime and the owner did not report it within three days, the fine increases to PHP 10,000.
Penalties for Tampering and Use of Stolen Plates
Tampering with, forging, or concealing a number plate—or knowingly using or buying such plates—is punishable with imprisonment of six months to two years or a fine of up to PHP 10,000, or both. Use of a stolen plate can lead to a fine of up to PHP 20,000, aside from other criminal charges.
Transition Period and Effectivity
Motorcycle owners have until December 31, 2025, to update their registration and apply for the required readable plates. The LTO has until June 30, 2026, to issue these plates. Penalties tied to unreadable or non-compliant number plates will take full effect after that date.
The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a major newspaper.
What do you think about these updated rules for motorcycle owners in the Philippines?
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