How to Register Your E-Bikes and E-Scooters
They’re fun to drive, but before you take them out for a spin on any local road, make sure your E-Bikes or E-Scooters are registered at the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Otherwise, you may get slapped with a PHP10,000 fine for driving an unregistered Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) as it gets impounded by the MMDA.
Confusing and Vague Rules
Note, however, that the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) rules about this isn’t exactly airtight. For one, some complain that those registering their three-wheeled E-Trikes were forced to take the motorcycle for their practical test, while others say that the same vehicles don’t require registration.
Then, there’s that case of the orange license plates that the DOTr wants to revive again. It can be remembered that DOTr Undersecretary Thomas Orbos once said that they wanted to revive these orange license plates and assign them to E-Bikes and other vehicles, but it seems they’ve been shelved and forgotten again.
And what’s this about LTO Enforcement Service Director Francis Almora insisting that those who ride these E-Bikes should have a driver’s license, as well? E-Bikers Philippines (EBP) also issued a statement saying that LTO authorities didn’t require the “low-end” E-Bikes to be registered—only the high-end ones should be treated like motorcycles.
LTO’s General Rules
Despite the ambiguity, we do know that the LTO clarified last January 2018 that E-vehicles which “can be propelled manually” or “run solely by muscular effort” are exempted from registration.
And should your E-Bikes or E-Scooters fall under the category that needs to be registered, then you need to register them at the following LTO branches:
- Diliman District Office
- Quezon City District Office
- Pasay District Office
- Caloocan District Office
They also issued an Administrative Order (AO-2006-01) which show the requirements and steps in registering these light vehicles:
1. Complete all of the following requirements:
- Commercial invoice of the vehicle from the country of origin
- BOC Certificate of Payment
- Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR)
- Sales invoice of MV with sales evaluation from the regional office
- PNP-TMG MV Clearance Certificate
- A duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
- Appropriate insurance certificate of cover
- Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)
2. Proceed to the transaction counters and submit all the required documents to the Evaluator for evaluation and computation of fees.
3. Undergo actual inspection of motor vehicles with duly accomplished MVIR. (It can be downloaded at the LTO website. This form should be filled up before transacting your business at the LTO
4. Proceed to the cashier when your name is called for the necessary fees and obtain an Official Receipt (OR).
5. Proceed to the Releasing Counter when your name is called to obtain the Certificate of Registration (CR), plates, stickers, and other requested documents.
While the rules for these E-Bikes and E-Scooters are still vague, we do hope that the LTO can finally give a clear and definite rule book for E-vehicle owners to follow. We think it’s inevitable, since they’re slowly gaining popularity over the years.
10 Comments
Where will I get all those requirements? Can I get it from the dealer?
Commercial invoice of the vehicle from the country of origin
BOC Certificate of Payment
Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR)
Sales invoice of MV with sales evaluation from the regional office
PNP-TMG MV Clearance Certificate
A duly accomplished and approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)
Appropriate insurance certificate of cover
Hi Rjay,
Some give them; some don’t. It depends on the dealer.
Despite the ambiguity, we do know that the LTO clarified last January 2018 that E-vehicles which “can be propelled manually” or “run solely by muscular effort” are exempted from registration.
–can you please post source of this statement? Thank you
https://www.topgear.com.ph/moto-sapiens/motorcycle-news/e-bike-owners-lto-guidelines-a00188-20180122
Hi,
Just to check, is e-bike still considers as motor vehicle or electronic vehicle? If it is electronic, does it really require to be registered?
Hi Regina,
Technically, yes, they need to be registered.
Is everything in this post still applicable on this day onwards?
ang ebike po ay almost all over the Philippines na, nabasa ko sa colum na ito na dapat iparehistro ang lahat ng ebike pero bakit po limitted lamang ang opisina ng LTO na pwedeng irihestro ang mga ebikes.. di po ba dapat sa lahat ng ahensya ng LTO pwede kaming magparehistro.
Hi Mr. Negrillo,
Technically, you’re right. Pero wala pa talagang finalized na rules kung papano ire-register yung e-bikes from the LTO, so we’ll have to wait when for the official law regarding ebike registration.
With the Philippine Government. i can expect nothing. These bunch of monkeys are still scratching their heads not knowing what to do. Very primitive.