By: Atty. Gregorio B. Austral, CPA
Motorcycle owners alert: New law mandates bigger plates, slaps hefty fines
Motorcycle owners, take note—big changes are coming your way. A newly approved law, Republic Act No. 12209, is set to shake up motorcycle registration rules, bringing stricter penalties and new requirements aimed at improving safety and tracking stolen bikes. This law amends Republic Act No. 11235, known as the “Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act,” and introduces major changes in registration timelines, plate visibility, and enforcement measures. If you own or plan to buy a motorcycle, understanding these new rules is crucial to avoiding costly fines.
One of the biggest changes affects motorcycle registration. Dealers selling brand-new motorcycles must register them with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) within five working days after the sale—provided they have the buyer’s approval. If the motorcycle is sold again, the seller must report the sale to the LTO within five working days, either in person or online. The new owner has up to twenty working days to finalize the transfer of ownership. Meanwhile, the LTO is required to issue the Certificate of Registration within two working days once all necessary documents, including a clearance from the PNP-Highway Patrol Group, are submitted. Motorcycle owners and dealers who fail to meet these deadlines could face a fine of up to ₱5,000—though authorities have clarified that buyers won’t have their motorcycles confiscated solely because of registration delays.
For motorcycles bought through installment plans where ownership isn’t fully transferred yet, sellers must now provide a written agreement detailing the buyer’s right to use the motorcycle. Additionally, if a motorcycle is repossessed due to non-payment, the dealer must report the repossession to the LTO, at which point the registration will be reverted to the dealer’s name and tagged as “under storage” to avoid penalties. To add transparency, dealers will also have to submit an annual report to the LTO listing all repossessed motorcycles in their possession. The law further clarifies that individuals and businesses engaged in “buy-and-sell” activities are now considered dealers and must comply with these regulations.
Another major update focuses on motorcycle number plates. The LTO is now required to issue larger, more readable, and color-coded plates, following specific font and size standards outlined in the law’s implementing rules. These plates must be mounted at the back of the motorcycle using durable material and must be readable from at least 15 meters away. Driving a motorcycle without a plate—or one that is unreadable—is strictly prohibited. Violators risk a fine of up to ₱5,000, and motorcycles without proper plates could be stopped and confiscated by law enforcement. However, if a motorcycle owner can prove ownership and registration and was not responsible for the plate’s non-installation, the unit cannot be seized. When confiscation does occur, authorities must immediately report it to the LTO, PNP, and DICT through a joint operations center. Owners can reclaim their motorcycles from the PNP by providing proof of ownership, obtaining an LTO clearance, paying seizure costs, and ensuring the proper plate is installed.
The law also introduces tougher penalties for number plate-related issues. If a motorcycle’s plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, the owner must report it to the LTO and PNP within 72 hours of discovering the issue. Failure to do so within the deadline carries a fine of up to ₱5,000. If the missing plate is later used in connection with a crime, and the owner failed to report it within three days, the fine doubles to ₱10,000. On a more serious note, tampering with, forging, covering, concealing, or knowingly using fake number plates is now punishable by six months to two years of imprisonment, or a fine of up to ₱10,000, or both. Those caught selling or buying counterfeit plates face the same penalties. Using a stolen number plate carries an even steeper fine of up to ₱20,000, plus potential criminal charges.
To help motorcycle owners adjust to these changes, the law includes a transitional period. Motorcycles with outdated plates must renew their registration and apply for new compliant plates by December 31, 2025. The LTO has until June 30, 2026, to produce and distribute these new plates. Importantly, penalties related to number plate requirements will only take effect after June 30, 2026, giving owners ample time to comply.
These new measures aim to enhance road safety, reduce motorcycle-related crimes, and streamline registration processes. While some motorcycle owners may find the adjustments inconvenient, complying with the law will help avoid hefty fines and ensure a smoother riding experience.