7K unlicensed vehicles seized in Feb – LTO

OVER 7,000 delinquent or unregistered motor vehicles were apprehended across the country in February 2024, according to a report from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza 2nd said that aggressive implementation of the “No Registration, No Travel” policy resulted in the apprehension of 7,252 motor vehicles, of which 243 were caught picking up passengers without the necessary permits.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza 2nd

Mendoza said that last month alone, a total of 1,653 “colorum,” or unregistered public transportation vehicles (PUVs), were impounded across the country.

These unlicensed PUVs operate without the necessary permits or proper authorization from relevant government agencies, particularly the LTO.

Government transportation agencies consider “colorum vehicles” unsafe since they did not undergo the necessary roadworthiness tests.

Mendoza said the crackdown will continue in the coming days, as he emphasized that renewal of vehicle registration is one of the ways to determine the roadworthiness of vehicles that would ensure the safety of all road users.

The LTO chief reminded motorists to have their motor vehicles registered.

“Let this serve as a stern warning to both the delinquent motor vehicle owners that we will continue with this operation because this involves road safety and your obligation that comes with motor vehicle ownership,” said Mendoza.

“The same warning goes to operators and drivers of colorum vehicles. We will not stop until such time that you are held accountable for your illegal activities,” he added.

Also in February, the government was able to collect a total of P18 million from the penalties imposed on operators of illegal and unregistered vans, buses, and other PUVs.

The high level of collection was also the result of a sweeping crackdown against unregistered vehicles.

Records show that from February 1 to 22 of this year, the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT), the traffic enforcement arm of the Department of Transportation (DoTr), was able to collect P18 million in penalties from 50 unlicensed vehicles that they apprehended.

A fine of P200,000 is levied on drivers/operators of illegal and unregistered vans.

On the other hand, a penalty of P1 million is imposed on operators of illegal buses.

According to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the stiff penalties imposed on offenders reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing road safety for all commuters.

The DoTr urges the commuting public to report any suspicious or unauthorized transportation services to authorities.