Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Under Republic Act No. 1436, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, drivers are subject to fines and penalties if they violate the rules and regulations imposed by the Land Transportation Office. The LTO established these traffic rules and regulations to maintain an orderly and risk-free environment for motorists and pedestrians. Here are the LTO Violations with their respective fines and penalties. This blog will detail the list of LTO violations with updated fines and penalties.

List of Violations With Respective Fines and Penalties

Driving Without A License – Fine: ₱ 3,000

A driver’s license is necessary to drive the motor vehicle indicated on your license. In addition, driving without a license includes having a delinquent, expired, suspended, fake, revoked, or improper license.

Not Wearing A Seatbelt – Fine: ₱ 1,000 To ₱ 5,000

The same fine applies to allowing kids ages 6 years old and below to sit in the vehicle’s front seat.

• 1st offense – ₱1,000, 
• 2nd offense – ₱2,000, 
• 3rd offense and beyond – ₱5,000

Reckless Driving – Fines: ₱2,000 To ₱10,000; Penalties: A 6-Month License Suspension Or Revocation.

Getting into an accident while driving is called Reckless Driving. This act of driving endangers nearby motorists and pedestrians.

• 1st offense – ₱2,000 
• 2nd offense – ₱3,000 and a 3-month license suspension, 
• 3rd offense and beyond – ₱10,000 and a 6-month license suspension or revocation.

Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs And Alcohol – Fines: ₱ 20,000 To ₱ 500,000; Penalties: Reclusion Temporal.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol is a grave violation with severe consequences. If your only violation is the act of Driving Under the Influence, 3-month imprisonment and a fine of ₱ 20,000 to ₱ 80,000 shall be imposed. 

However, if the violation results in physical injuries, the penalty should be referred to in the Revised Penal Code, article 263, and a fine of ₱ 150,000 to ₱ 250,000 shall be imposed.

If the violation resulted in homicide, the penalty will be as stated in Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code, plus a fine of ₱350,000 to ₱500,000.

On your first conviction, your non-professional driver’s license will be seized and suspended for 18 months. It will be permanently withdrawn after the second conviction.

On your first conviction, your professional driver’s license will be taken away and permanently suspended. After then, the motorist will also be ineligible to obtain any form of driver’s license. 

Not Wearing Helmets For Motorcycle Riders – Fines: ₱ 1,500 To ₱ 10,000

Motorcycle riders and their back riders must wear their helmets all the time while traveling. Failure to do so will result in fines.

• 1st offense – ₱ 1,500
• 2nd offense – ₱ 3,000
• 3rd offense – ₱ 5,000
• 4th and consecutive offenses – ₱ 10,000

In addition to the above-mentioned penalties for this no-helmet infraction in 2023, the driver’s license will be seized for the fourth and consecutive violations. Furthermore, if found with a helmet that isn’t up to code or one that doesn’t have the ICC sticker, motorcycle riders and their back riders will be fined. 

Vehicle Registration Violations – Fine: ₱ 5,000

Having a dangling plate number is dangerous, risking damage to your vehicle and the surrounding motorists and pedestrians. In addition, tampering with your number plate and attaching illegal LTO stickers and decals will also incur similar fines.

Obstruction – LTO fine: ₱1,000 

In 2023, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will still impose an obstruction violation fee if a vehicle blocks the free passage of other vehicles on the highway, regardless of whether it is due to loading or unloading passengers or freight, or other similar situations.

Number Plate Not Firmly Attached – LTO fine: ₱5,000

Watch out for various LTO violations on plate numbers. For instance, check to see that your license plate is securely fastened to your car. You’ll pay a hefty fine of 5,000 for a no-plate infraction. Driving with a loose number plate puts your safety and the safety of other road users at risk in addition to causing damage to your car.

LTO Sticker Violation – LTO fine: ₱5,000

Drivers and motorcycle riders who improperly apply third-party stickers or tamper with LTO stickers are subject to these penalties. The same penalty applies if you violate LTO decal rules. 

Tampering with License Plates – LTO fine: ₱5,000

In addition to the penalty, the illegal license plate will be taken off and seized.

Illegal Transfer Or Use Of Regularly Issued Motor Vehicle Plates, Tags, Or Stickers – Fine: ₱ 10,000 To ₱ 12,000

Transferring vehicle plates from one car to another is an illegal act that will get the vehicle’s registration a 3-months suspension. Furthermore, if the car gets involved in criminal activities, the owner will have to pay ₱ 12,000 and suspend the car’s registration for two years.

Security Plates on authorized vehicles are exempted from the LTO fine.

Driving With Illegal, Damaged, Or Substandard Parts And Accessories – Fine: ₱ 5,000 And Impoundment.

The following parts and accessories are subjected to a thorough inspection:

• Bells/horns/sirens/whistles
• Blinkers
• Brakes
• Early warning device (EWD)
• Grill/s
• Jalousies
• Foot and hand brakes
• Brake lights, headlights, interior lights, signal lights
• Mirrors
• Mufflers
• Metallic tires/spare tire
• Speedometer
• Windshield
• Wipers
• Any other accessory, device, equipment, or part that may risk road safety

Along with having to pay the fee, your car will be held until the offending item is replaced or installed correctly. Unauthorized plates, accessories, or gadgets will also be seized. 

Smoke Belching – Fines: ₱ 2,000 To ₱ 6,000

Smoke Belching is when a vehicle discharges black smoke full of toxic gasses. This occurs due to poor vehicle maintenance or outdated engines. 

• 1st Offense – ₱ 2,000
• 2nd Offense – ₱ 4,000
• 3rd Offense – ₱ 6,000 and a 1-year suspension of the vehicle registration

Other LTO Violations – Fines: ₱ 1,000 To ₱ 2,000

Some of these violations pertain to not observing proper road safety and regulations, such as:

• Illegal Parking
• Beating the Red Light
• Overtaking
• Illegal turns
• Driving on Prohibited Roads

Reminders

Let’s make safe driving a top priority! Always follow the rules and regulations to protect yourself and others on the road. Remember that following the rules and maintaining your vehicle’s efficiency are crucial steps. Take responsibility for your actions on the road and help keep our streets safe for everyone. – WhatALife!/Jayve

Source: (1), (2)

---

Also read: GUIDE: 2023 ONLINE LTO Car Registration Renewal