Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act IRR signed

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Republic Act 11698 (commonly known as the “Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act”) shall take effect next month.

According to Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade, the IRR will become effective starting April 17. To note, the law was enacted in April last year.

Tugade made the announcement following the ceremonial signing of the IRR over the weekend.

Per LTO, the newly-signed IRR shall guarantee the preservation of the cultural and historical value of vintage motor vehicles in the country while setting specific standards on how a vintage vehicle should be kept, restored, registered, and used.

Tugade said in his speech that the IRR for the RA 11698 ensures that the vehicles covered in the ruling shall be allowed to be used on the road, given that it meets the minimum safety and roadworthiness guidelines.

“Malinaw po ang isinasaad sa IRR na requirements at proseso alinsunod sa itinakda ng batas. Ang mga alituntunin pong iyan ay ginawa din nating mas magaan upang lalo pa nitong mahikayat ang lahat na makapagpa-rehistro at umayon sa mga panuntunan ng batas kaugnay ng mga vintage vehicle (The IRR clearly states the requirements and process in accordance with the law. We have also made those guidelines lighter to encourage everyone to register and comply with the rules of the law regarding vintage vehicles),” Tugade said.

As defined in the law, vintage cars are motor vehicles that are at least 40 years of age from its manufacturing date with its engine, chassis, steering assembly, and suspension assembly are either original or authentic.

Further, the body of the vehicle (can be powered by an internal combustion engine, electricity, a combination of both or other means) should not have been altered in general appearance. Replicas and reproductions will not be included in the vintage vehicle classification.

Under the IRR, the LTO shall apply the minimum standards in the inspection of vintage vehicles which will also serve as guidelines for owners, repair and restoration shops regarding the period specifications, and permitted modifications. The agency and its deputized agents can also conduct random roadside inspection of vintage vehicles on public roads and highways in the interest of public safety and responsible ownership.

Moreover, the owners of vintage vehicles are given the opportunity to register their vintage vehicles even those with lost papers, and the re-stamping of identification serial numbers — provided that the documentary requirements (which includes the motor vehicle inspection report) are fulfilled by its owner.

Should the vintage vehicle be not regularly used and on permanent exhibit or in museums, the owners can request the LTO for an onsite registration.

Additionally, the IRR also stated that the LTO has to create and maintain a national database that lists and describes vintage vehicles in the country, which it shall share with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to determine vintage vehicles that have historical significance to the country.

Moreover, the agency shall also collect the available resources to create a comprehensive catalog of specifications of all motor vehicle models that have been manufactured in the country to be used as the primary reference in determining whether a vintage vehicle has been preserved and maintained under historically-correct conditions.

For his part, Northern Samar Representative Paul Daza, who was the principal sponsor of the aforementioned law at the House of Representatives, shared that the RA 11698 will also help boost the vintage car restoration industry in the country.

Under the newly-signed IRR, the LTO shall build a database of authorized and licensed companies and shops engaged in the repair or restoration, or in the manufacture of spare and replacement parts of vintage vehicles, as well as private sector associations and interest groups to support the local restoration industry.

Photos from NHCP Presidential Car Museum Facebook page, Land Transportation Office Facebook page

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