Doble Plaka Law Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Motorcycle Rights Organization has compiled the frequently asked questions and answers for the 'doble plaka law'

The motorcycle community was up in arms again last week as the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Republic Act 11235 Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law were finally released by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), taking effect immediately.

RA 11235 which many riders now call the Doble Plaka Law, prescribes hefty fines of up to PhP100,000 and jail time for violations like not displaying the plate, not reporting the sale of the motorcycle, or if the motorcycle plate was lost for whatever reason. Unfortunately for many, the release of its IRR raised more questions than answers.

Since there is still a lockdown in place in the National Capital Region (NCR) and some major cities, and LTO offices are still closed, some worry that they may not fulfill some of these requirements, resulting in hefty fines or even jail time.

To help the riding public, the Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO), has compiled answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the RA 11235 (updated as of May 24, 2020). Chances are the question you have is addressed here. Kindly read on.

Question: I bought my motorcycle before RA 11235 was signed into law by President Duterte. Am I covered by this law?

Nabili ko ang motor ko bago pa ito pirmahan ng presidente. Sakop pa din ba ako nito?

Answer:Yes. All motorcycles are covered by this law.

Oo. Lahat ng motor ay sakop nitong batas.

Question: When do we apply for the new plate?

Kailan kami mag-aapply ng bagong plaka?

Answer: Just follow your registration schedule. That's the time you will be issued a new plate. For now, the temporary plate you are using should be fine.

Sundin ang inyong registration schedule. Dun kayo ma-iisyuhan ng panibagong plaka. Sa ngayon, status-quo muna tayo sa temporary plate.

Question: Do I need to install a temporary plate in the front of my motorcycle while I wait for the new RA 11235-compliant plates?

Kailangan ko ba mag lagay ng temporary plate sa harap habang hinihintay ko ang aking bagong plaka?

Answer: No.

Hindi.

OWNERSHIP RELATED QUESTIONS

Question: Do we need to change ownership on the motorcycle's registration to the current one?

Kailangan ba naming magpapalit ng ownership sa rehistro?

Answer: According to the RA11235, yes.

Ayon sa batas, oo.

Question: When will it take effect?

Kailan ito magiging epektibo?

Answer: Because of the lockdown in place, and LTO offices being closed, this law does not yet apply to you. In areas under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ), however, you can now begin the process of updating the motorcycle's registration under your name to avoid hassle on the street level. Remember, you only have 5 days after issuance of the sales invoice and 3 days after securing a notarized Deed of Sale to update the motorcycle's registration under your name.

Dahil sa ECQ at MECQ, hangga't hindi pa nagbubukas ang LTO sa lugar ninyo, hindi pa ito nag-aapply sa inyo. Pero sa GCQ, maaring asikasuhin na ito upang 'di na kayo magka-aberya sa kalsada. Tandaan, 5 days pagkatapos ma issue ang sales invoice at 3 days after ma-notaryo ang Deed of Sale (DOS) ang palugit para mailipat ito sa pangalan ninyo.

Question: Can I use the motorcycle's Deed of Sale (DOS) as proof of ownership at checkpoints?

Pwede ba gamitin ang DOS pag nasita?

Answer: No. The Deed of Sale is just an attachment for the motorcycle's documents. It is just proof that a motorcycle's ownership has been transferred to you.

Hindi. Ang DOS ay hindi attachment sa rehistro upang magamit ang sasakyan nyo. Kasangkapan lang ito para sa paglipat ng ownership ng isang bagay sa iyo.

Question: My motorcycle is registered under my relative (parent, sibling, son/ daughter, family member, friend, etc.). Do I need to update the registration under my name? 

Nakapanagalan sa aking kamag-anak (magulang, kapatid, anak, kamaganak, kaibigan) ang motorsiklo. Kailangan ko ba itong ilipat sa pangalan ko?

Answer: RA 11235 does not specify that you are prohibited from using a motorcycle that is not registered under your name, but, you should be able to prove that you are related to the registered owner. This is not a problem if you are related to the owner, however, if the motorcycle is still registered under the previous owner, you are subject to the law and its provisions.

Walang sinabi sa batas na hindi ka pwede gumamit ng motor na hindi iyo, subalit kailangang mapatunayan mong kamag-anak mo sila. Walang problema ito kung may relasyon ka sa may ari, pero kung previous owner ito, may pananagutan ka na.

Question: The motorcycle I'm using is registered under the company I work for. Do I need to register it under my name?

Nakapangalan sa opisina ang motorsiklo, kailangan ko ba ilipat ito sa pangalan ko?

Answer: No. But you need to secure an Authorization Letter or Motorpool Pass that certifies that the motorcycle you are using was loaned to you and you must bring it all the time.

Hindi. Humingi ka ng Authorization Letter o Motorpool Pass na sayo naka-intrega ang motorsiklo mo at dalin mo ito palagi.

Question: My motorcycle is a “repo” (repossessed) unit and is still registered under the previous owner. What do I do?

Repo ang motor ko na nakapangalan pa sa original owner. Paano po ito?

Answer: Talk to your motorcycle dealer. According to RA 11235, your motorcycle's registration cannot remain under the previous owner's name. The motorcycle dealer cannot keep the motorcycle under the previous owner's name so that you will continue paying the loan. A new loan agreement must be drafted and your name registered as the (encumbered) owner of the motorcycle. If the dealer doesn't want to cooperate, go to the nearest LTO office to file a complaint.

Kausapin nyo ang kasa. Ayon sa batas, hindi pwede manatili sa pangalan ng previous owner ang inyong motorsiklo. Hindi nila pwede i-hostage ang pangalan sa rehistro para magbayad kayo dahil may kontrata naman yan. Pag ayaw nila pumayag, isumbong nyo sa LTO.

Question: LTO offices are still closed in areas under lockdown. How do I update my motorcycle's registration to reflect a change of ownership?

Sarado pa ang LTO sa mga ECQ at MECQ na lugar, pano po ako mag papa change ownership?

Answer: You are not liable as long as the LTO offices in your area are still closed due to the lockdown. You can update your motorcycle's registration once it opens.

Wala kang pananagutan habang sarado ang LTO sa inyong lugar. Oras na mag bukas ito, saka ka lang pumunta para gawin ito.

Question: I can no longer locate the original owner (for whatever reason) of the motorcycle which it is registered. How do I transfer the registration under my name?

Hindi na mahanap, nasa ibang bansa o patay na ang original owner. Pano ako makakapag pa transfer?

Answer: Talk to the Notary Public in this situation. They will know what are the documentary requirements for these situations. Except if the original owner is abroad and you have contact, you can request a Deed of Sale (DOS) sent via snail mail and you will be the one who will have it notarized here in the country.

Kausapin nyo ang Notaryo (NOTARY PUBLIC) para sa ganitong sitwasyon. Sila ang nakaka-alam ng mga kailangang papeles para dito. Pwera sa nasa ibang bansa pero nakakausap ninyo, pwede kayo humingi ng DEED OF SALE (DOS) na ipapadala via SNAIL MAIL at kayo na mag papa notary dito sa bansa.

Question: What are the requirements for change of ownership?

Ano ang kailangan para sa change ownership?

Answer: PNP-HPG clearance, Deed of Sale, photocopies of ID of the previous owner that is not yet expired and LTO change of ownership application.

PNP-HPG clearance ng sasakyan, Deed of sale, Photocopy ng ID ng previous owner na hindi pa paso at application sa LTO.

Question: How much will it cost?

Magkano aabutin?

Answer: Approximately PhP200+ for the change of ownership, PhP300+ for the PNP-HPG clearance.

PhP200+ sa change ownership, PhP300+ sa PNP clearance ng sasakyan.

Question: What if we currently do not have the capacity to pay for the requirements due to unemployment as a result of quarantine?

Pano kung wala kaming pambayad pa dahil nawalan kami ng trabaho at wala pang pangastos?

Answer: Visit the nearest LTO office to have your name listed and tell them that you will be updating your motorcycle's registration in accordance with RA 11235 once you are capable of doing so. This will serve as evidence that you are not neglecting your duty as a motorcycle owner and that you have the intention to comply with the law.

Pumunta pa din kayo sa LTO upang mag palista at sabihin na babalik agad kayo pag kaya niyo na itonog bayaran. Patunay ito na hindi kayo nagpapabaya at may intensyon kayong sumunod sa sinasabi ng batas.

Question: Does the RA 11235 also apply to cars (4 wheels)?

Pati bas a kotse o apat na gulong ito?

Answer: According to the old law, when you buy a new vehicle, it should be transferred under your (new owner) name. But for RA 11235, only motorcycles are subjected to penalties of 20 to 50 thousand pesos or jail time or both.

Ayon sa original na batas, sa pag bili mo ng sasakyan, dapat mo ito ilipat sa pangalan mo. Pero sa batas na ito, motorsiklo lang ang may penalty na 20-50k o kulong o pareho.

Question: Isn't the RA 11235 too harsh on penalties against motorcycle riders particularly those who have (unintentionally) lost their plate? What are the things that MRO and Riders of the Philippines (ROTP) doing about this?

Hindi makatarungan ang mga penalty ng batas na ito lalo na sa mga nadidisgrasya ang plaka. Ano ang gagawin ng MRO at ROTP tungkol dito?

Answer: We will file a lawsuit against the RA 11235.

Kakasuhan namin ang batas na ito.

The RA 11235 was signed into law by President, Rodrigo Duterte on March 8, 2019. Under the “Doble Plaka Law”, all types of motorcycles big or small, are now required to have bigger number plates in the front and back, and sets fines of up to PhP100,000 and imprisonment for violators of the said law.