The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting the implementation of a five-year vehicle registration period for newly purchased vehicles beginning February 15, according to Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Lopez said the proposal to extend the validity of registration for brand-new vehicles—from the current three years to five years—has received initial approval from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Ang ating Pangulo naman sabi niya po, sige initially approve but make sure na meron pa rin roadworthiness check to ensure the roadworthiness of this vehicle,” Lopez said.
The said approval was also echoed by Palace press officer Atty. Claire Castro during a press briefing, stating that Sec. Lopez was able to present the advantages of the proposal leading to the President’s nod.
“Naipakita po ni Secretary Lopez ang kagandahan po nito. At inisyal po na naaprubahan ito ng Pangulo at susundan po ito ng mga memorandum na gagawin po ng DOTr so hintayin na lamang po natin ‘to,” Castro said in a Palace briefing yesterday.
Lopez explained that the President agreed to the proposal on the condition that mechanisms are put in place to ensure the continued roadworthiness of vehicles during the extended registration period.
Following the approval, the DOTr is coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to finalize the policy. The department is set to issue a department order, while the LTO will release a memorandum circular outlining the implementing rules and guidelines, particularly on how roadworthiness checks will be conducted
“Maglalabas po tayo ng department order at ganun din po ang LTO, maglalabas ng memorandum circular on this matter na from now on.”
Once in effect, the five-year registration will apply to all types of newly registered vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses.
Lopez said the policy shift reflects improvements in vehicle reliability, noting that many manufacturers now offer longer warranties, ranging from five to seven years or up to a certain mileage. He said government policy must keep pace with these developments.
Previously, vehicle warranties typically covered three years or 100,000 kilometers, which aligned with the existing three-year registration validity for new vehicles. With manufacturers extending warranties, Lopez said it is reasonable to also extend the registration period, based on the presumption that brand-new vehicles remain roadworthy for a longer time.
After the five-year registration period expires, vehicles will revert to annual registration. Lopez said this is necessary as vehicles age and require more frequent and comprehensive inspections to ensure safety and compliance with road standards.
“As the vehicle gets older, mas kailangan naman po ng gobyerno [na] mas comprehensive ang pag-check-up nitong mga sasakyan.”
The DOTr said it is rushing the issuance of guidelines so buyers who plan to purchase vehicles can already benefit from the extended registration period once the policy takes effect.
