Check out all the violations, penalties, and fines a driver may face in the Philippines

No matter how law-abiding a driver you are, there may come a day when you are stopped by a traffic controller. Why? It could be related to you, your driving, your car's plate, or its registration. Therefore, we believe that every driver must know all the reasons they can be stopped by traffic enforcers and the penalties or fines they'll face. This guide will offer clarity on the subject and help you be more aware and, ultimately, a better driver.

So, without further ado, let’s check out all the driving-related penalties, fines, and violations.

#1 Violation License-related matter

Fine: PHP 3,000
Penalty: Disqualification from acquiring a driver’s license and not allowed to drive a motor vehicle for 1 year after payment of the fine

Starting with the most common type of driving violation is driving without a valid driver’s license. This includes driving with an expired, revoked, or suspended license or with an inappropriate driver’s license restriction code and classification. A fake driver’s license is obviously a big NO and will surely get you into trouble.

For tourists, driving with a valid license beyond the 90-day allowable period can cause issues. Similarly, if you are a student permit holder, you are violating LTO regulations if you are not accompanied by a duly licensed driver.

In such cases, the unlicensed or improperly licensed driver is disqualified by LTO from getting a driver’s license. Also, even after payment of the PHP 3,000 fine, the accused is not allowed to drive a vehicle.

#2 Violation Driving a vehicle involved in a crime

Fine: PHP 10,000

Penalty: The driver is disqualified from acquiring a driver’s license and from driving a vehicle. The vehicle in question is also confiscated and released after the fine is paid.

Next up is a situation where you are driving peacefully on the road but are suddenly stopped by the traffic police because the motor vehicle you are driving is used in the commission of a crime. Upon conviction, the traffic police will confiscate the driver’s license and remove it. Also, the driver will not be allowed to drive any motor vehicle and will be disqualified from getting a license. As for the vehicle in question, it will be confiscated until ordered to be released by the police after the payment of the penalties and fines.

#3 Violation Commission of a crime in the course of apprehension

Fine: PHP 10,000

Penalty: The driver’s license will be confiscated and revoked; the driver will be disqualified from getting a license for 5 years from the date of payment of the fine. Confiscation of the vehicle until ordered

If you are driving a vehicle involved in the commission of a crime during apprehension, severe consequences follow. Once the police confiscate your vehicle, the next thing taken away from you is the license, which will then be revoked. Don’t even think of getting a new one, as you will be disqualified from getting a new one for five years (yes, it's 5) from the date of payment of the fines. As for the motor vehicle in question, it will be taken into custody until ordered to be released after the payment of the fines.

#4 Violation Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and similar substances

Fine: PHP 50,000 to PHP 500,000

Penalty:

• Driver with a non-professional license: The first conviction will result in confiscation and suspension of the license for 18 months, and the second conviction will result in permanent revocation.
• Driver with a professional driving license: First conviction will lead to confiscation and perpetual revoking of the license, and the driver will not be able to get any kind of driving license.

Under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, driving under the influence of illegal substances and alcohol is a serious offense, resulting in serious consequences. The table below gives an in-depth analysis of the violation and associated penalties.

- No physical injury or killing someone: PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000
- Physical injuries: PHP 150,000 to PHP 250,000
- Homicide: PHP 350,000 to PHP 500,000

#5 Violation Reckless driving with registration violations

Fine: PHP 2,000 to PHP 10,000

Penalty: Suspension of driver’s license for 2 years

LTO has strict penalties for anyone involved in reckless driving; not only does it result in a fine, but there is also a suspension of the driver’s license. As for registration violations, the motor vehicle will be scrutinized if the authority finds the following irregularities in registration: improper, expired, revoked, suspended, invalid, or with unregistered/fake substitutes.

The pointers below elaborates on the different violations and the corresponding penalties.

• First-time reckless driving: PHP 2,000
• Second-time reckless driving: PHP 3,000 & 3-month suspension of driver’s license
• Third & subsequent cases of reckless driving: PHP 10,000 & 6-month suspension or revocation of driver’s license

In case the driver possesses a non-professional driver’s license, he/she will be disqualified from getting a new license for two years.

#6 Violation Submission of fake documents when applying for a new/renewal license

Fine: PHP 3,000
Penalty: Revocation of driver’s license, disqualification from getting a new license & driving a vehicle for one year

At the time of applying for a new/renewal license, the applicant needs to attach several documents. In case the LTO finds a fake document, then the penalties will be charged by the authority. Not only will the concerned individual's license be put on alarm, it will be revoked. Furthermore, LTO will disqualify the driver from getting a license and driving a motor vehicle for one year (from the payment of the fine).

#7 Violation Not wearing a seatbelt & allowing a child below 6 to sit in the front seat

Fine: PHP 1,000 to PHP 5,000
Penalty: 1-week suspension of license

Wearing a seat belt is a must, and if the traffic controller catches you driving without wearing it, then you’ll be penalized. Also, making a child below six years of age sit in the front seat is an offense in the Philippines. So, be aware that it is also for your safety. In these two cases, LTO will suspend your driving license for a week after the fine is paid. The pointers below gives in-depth details of the fines imposed by the authority.

• First offense: PHP 1,000
• Second offense: PHP 2,000
• Third offense: PHP 3,000 & suspension of license for 1 week from the payment of fine

#8 Violation Passengers not wearing a seatbelt

Fine: PHP 3,000 (both for the driver & operator)
Penalty: NA

This particular violation and the penalty associated with it apply to public utility vehicles. So, when a PUV driver fails to adhere to the signage instructing front passengers to wear a seatbelt, he/she, along with the operator, will have to pay a fine of PHP 3,000 (for every violation).

#9 Violation Failure to carry a license, CR, OR

Fine: PHP 1,000
Penalty: NA

If a traffic controller catches you driving a motor vehicle without your driving license or ORCR, you’ll be charged a fine of PHP 1,000.

#10 Violation Not adhering to LTO’s traffic rules & regulations

Fine: PHP 1,000
Penalty: NA

The LTO has a comprehensive list when it comes to traffic rules and regulations. When a driver fails to meet any of them, he/she will be charged a fine of PHP 1,000. Some of the violations include:

• Parking: In a prohibited area, private driveway, 4 meters from a driveway entrance, within 4 meters from a fire hydrant, within 5 meters of the intersection, in an intersection
• Not obeying traffic signs
• Passengers on top/cover of the vehicle (trucks excluded)
• No canvas coverage on trucks
• Passengers riding on the step board, running board, or mudguard of the moving vehicle
• Failure to dim headlights when approaching another vehicle
• Driving where traffic and parking are not allowed
• Hitching a person, bicycle, motorcycle, tricycle, or skate roller to a motor vehicle
• Driving against traffic
• Taking illegal turns
• Illegal overtaking
• Trip cutting

You can find the complete list here.

Bottom line

When out on the road driving your motor vehicle, a driver should make sure he/she ticks all the boxes that keep all the fines and penalties at bay.

However, we aren’t done yet. There are still violations concerning motor vehicle registration, operation, renewal, dimensions, specifications, load limit, and weight. We’ll discuss all of these in Part II of the violations, penalties, and fines a driver faces in the Philippines. So, stay tuned.

Also Read: Everything you need to know about MVIR (Motor Vehicle Inspection Report) - Part I