For better or worse, LTO to extend initial vehicle registration validity to 5 years

There are two ways to describe renewing your vehicle’s registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). It can be good or bad, but most will likely say the latter.

And to help streamline the process, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced that the LTO will soon extend the validity of vehicles’ initial registrations to five years, an additional two years on top of the current three years initial validity, and as approved by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

READ | LTO Registration Renewal: What’s it like in July 2025?

While an official memorandum has not yet been released by the LTO, the new policy is expected to be implemented by February 15, 2026. DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez was also quoted as saying that the move is to make renewal “hassle-free,” and due to longer warranties now being offered by car and motorcycle manufacturers.

Do note that the validity extension, as mentioned, will only cover new car registrations along with new motorcycles with engine displacements of 200cc and higher. After five years or the first registration renewal, it will continue on an annual basis, as it is today. This is to ensure vehicle roadworthiness and safety.

Lopez is also urging dealerships to continue offering free initial LTO registrations for new buyers, saying that 80 to 90% of dealerships currently offer the current three-year initial registration for free.

Do you agree with the extension of initial vehicle registration to five years, or should the LTO keep it at the current three years?

_{Photos by Sam Surla and Julian Panlilio}