What is MVUC and why does it matter in vehicle registration

Check out the list before heading out for your next registration.

1. What is LTO MVUC Meaning?

If you have been driving for years, you would know that almost every transaction in vehicle registration at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) comes with a corresponding fee. This fee is actually called the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC).

An LTO office with a man standing on the entrance

There are more fees to pay in LTO than you probably know

MVUCs vary depending on different vehicular factors such as vehicle type, gross vehicle weight (GVW), year model, and more. It is important that you know every detail your car has in order to prepare the appropriate amount in your next motor registration.

In the country’s laws, the MVUC is under the Republic Act No. 8794. This act is enacted to provide adequate maintenance of national and provincial roads through sufficient funding.

A painter painting a car yellow

Changing your car paint comes with a fee

Although it is unlikely to pay the wrong amount these days, knowing the corresponding fee still pays. With all that being said, here are the fees and rates you would likely encounter in LTO vehicle registration transactions.

2. LTO MVUC fees & penalties

PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT VEHICLES	GVW	MVUC
Light passenger cars	Up to 1,600 kg	Php 1,600
Medium passenger cars	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	Php 3,600
Heavy passenger cars	2,301 kg and above	Php 8,000
Utility vehicles	Up to 2,700 kg	Php 2,000
Utility vehicles	2,701 kg to 4,500 kg	Php 2,000 + 0.40 x GVW in excess of 2,700 kg
SUVs (1991 models and above)	Up to 2,700 kg	Php 2,300
SUVs (1991 models and above)	2,701 kg to 4,500 kg	Php 2,300 + 0.46 x GVW in excess of 2,700 kg
Motorcycles without sidecar	N/A	Php 240
Motorcycles with sidecar	N/A	Php 300
Trucks and truck buses	4,501 kg and above	Php 1,800 + 0.24 x GVW in excess of 2,700 kg
Trailers	4,501 kg and above	0.24 x GVW

An engine from a muscle car

Even changing the engine of your car comes with a fee

AGED PRIVATE VEHICLES	GVW	MVUC
Light cars (models from 1995 to 2000)	Maximum of 1,600 kg	Php 2,000
Light cars (models from 1994 and older)	Maximum of 1,600 kg	Php 1,400
Medium cars (models from 1997 to 2000)	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	Php 6,000
Medium cars (models from 1995 and 1996)	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	Php 4,800
Medium cars (models from 1994 and older)	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	Php 2,400
Heavy cars (model from 1994 and older)	2,301 kg and above	Php 12,000
Heavy cars (models from 1994 and older)	2,301 kg and above	Php 5,600

LTO’s context when it comes to aged private vehicles:

Current – 2000
One year old – 1999
Two years old – 1998
Three years old – 1997
Four years old – 1996
Five years old – 1995
Over five years old – 1994 and older

FOR HIRE VEHICLES	GVW	MVUC
Light passenger cars	Up to 1,600 kg	Php 900
Medium passenger cars	1,601 kg to 2,300 kg	Php 1,800
Heavy passenger cars	2,301 kg and above	Php 5,000
Utility vehicles	Up to 4,500 kg	0.30 x GVW
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)	Up to 2,700 kg	Php 2,300
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)	2,701 kg to 4,500 kg	Php 2,300 + 0.46 x GVW in excess of 2,700 kg
Motorcycles/Tricycles	N/A	Php 300
Truck buses	4,501 kg and above	0.30 x GVW
Trailers	4,501 kg and above	0.24 x GVW

Landing page of LTO online appointment

You can schedule an appointment online for a faster transaction

PENALTIES, CHARGES, AND OTHER FEES RELATED TO MVUC
For vehicles beyond the registration week	Php 200
Beyond the registration month but not more than 12 months	50% of the MVUC rate
More than 12 months but without apprehension for violation of the Land Transport laws, rules, and regulation during the period of delinquency	50% of the MVUC rate + renewal
More than 12 months but with apprehension for violation of Land Transport laws, rules, and regulations during the period of delinquency (Circular No. 83C-DIR-20)	50% of the MVUC rate + renewal for every year of delinquency
Overloading provided that no axle shall exceed 13,500 kg	25% of the MVUC at time of infringement for trucks and trailers with a load exceeding more than 5% of registered GVW

FEES AND CHARGES	RATES	FEES AND CHARGES	RATES
Accreditation fee for manufacturers, assemblers, importers, rebuilders dealers	- Php 500 (Application Fee) - Php 3,000/classification (accreditation fee) - Php 1,000/classification (renewal fee) - 100% of renewal fee/classification/year (penalty for late renewal)	Storage fee	Php 45
Administrative fine for the accreditation fees above	- Php 100,000 (1st offense) - Php 500,000 and a suspension of not more than six months (2’nd offense) - Cancellation of Certificate of Accreditation (3rd offense)	Transfer of MV ownership	Php 50/transfer
Accreditation fee for other entities	- Php 1,000 (Certificate Fee for both individual and no dolla importation) - Php 100 (Tax exempt)	Top load fee	- Php 150 (buses) - Php 100 (cars and utility vehicle)
Certification of Data on MV stock report	Php 30	MVIC emission test fee	- Php 40 (MC/TC) - Php 90 (UV) - Php 115 (trucks/buses)
Special Permit fee	Php 20/day (not to exceed 7 days)	MVIC inspection fee	- Php 50 (MC/TC) - Php 50 (UV) - Php 75 (trucks/buses)
Certificate of Tax Payment per Motor Vehicle	Php 30	District Office inspection fee for the use of another District Office	Php 30
Annotation of Mortgage, Attachment and other Encumbrances or Cancellation	Php 100	New/initial registration regular motor vehicle plate	Php 450
Change classification	Php 30	New/initial registration MC/TC plate	Php 120 (per piece)
Change chassis	Php 30	New/initial registration trailer plate	Php 225
Change color	Php 30	Validation and plate year tags	Php 50
Change denomination	Php 30	Replacement of validation stickers	Php 200
Change engine	Php 30	Duplicate and replacement of plates	- Php 450 (MV plate) - Php 120 (MC/TC plate) - Php 225 (trailer plate) - Php 450 (regular replacement plate)
Change of tire size	Php 30	Vanity plates	- For auction (limited edition) - Php 15,000 (premium edition) - Php 10,000 (select edition)
Change of venue of MV registration	Php 100	Special plates	- Php 25,000 (GMA-01; AAA-07; ARL-77) - Php 15,000 (DPJ-100; JPG-100; MMN-100) - Php 15,000 (MCM-707; DML-168; MTS-808)
Confirmation/Certification/ Verification/Clearance Fee	Php 30
Deed of assignment fee	Php 100
Duplicate/replacement of OR/CR	Php 30
Penalty for late transfer	Php 150/transfer
Change body design	Php 100
Carrying capacity	Php 100
Reactivation fee	Php 30
Recording fee	Php 500
Revision of gross weight vehicle	Php 30
Revision of record	Php 30

A man driving his car

Be sure to settle all required MVUCs for a more convenient driving experience

3. FAQs about LTO MVUCs meaning

Q: What is MVUC in car registration?

MVUC stands for Motor Vehicle User’s Charge. It comprises of the charges and fees by LTO in dealing with motor vehicles.

Q: How much is the fine for late registration?

LTO imposes a Php 200 weekly fine for late registration. After a month of delayed payment, the fine shall become 50% of the MVUC.

Q: Can I change my motor vehicle plate?

No, you are not allowed to change your plate number. Your vehicle’s number plate shall be permanently assigned during its lifetime.

Q: How much is the fee for changing the color of my car?

If you decide to change the color of your car, you would have to pay Php 30 prior to registration.

Q: Can I give vanity plates as a gift?

Yes, as long as the recipient of the gifted vanity plate is a registered owner of a motor vehicle.

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Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

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