TopGear.com.ph's guide to traffic violation fees

The last time the Land Transportation Office (LTO) revised the fines and penalties was way back in 1993 - a time when the must-have car was the Honda Civic EG hatchback and a four kilometer jeepney ride cost only P1.

In 1993, the LTO couldn't care less if you're not strapped to your seat. The seatbelt was ornamental. Latest data from the government agency would show, however, that the seatbelt law has been the most violated road rule since 2005.

Other violations have also started to crop up over the last 15 years.

In August 2008, the LTO approved an order adjusting fines and penalties. While it was supposed to take effect within two months of signing, full implementation only started in March 2009.

Fines and Penalties for Common Violations
Violation	Old	New
Driving without a license	P750	P1500
Driving with expired or delinquent license	P300	P400
Driving with suspended/revoked/improper license	P300	P1000
Failure to carry driver's license	P150	P200
Failure to sign driver's license	P150	P200
Driving under the influence of liquor
First offense	P2000	P5000 + two months suspension of driver's license
Second offense	P2000 + one year suspension of driver's license	6000 + three months suspension of driver's license
Subsequent violations	Revocation of driver's license	P7000 + six months suspension of driver's license*	*after third offense, automatic revocation of driver's license
Driving under the influence of drugs	P2000	P7000 + automatic revocation of driver's license
(Subsequent violations)	Revocation of driver's license	-
Allowing an unlicensed/improperly licensed person to drive a motor vehicle	P750	P1000 + suspension of plates, registrations and driver's license for two months
Possession and use of fake driver's license	P1500 + confiscation of authentic driver's license if he has been issued one, and six months suspension of driver's license; or, if the driver has not been issued a driver's license, he shall be disqualified to secure one for six months	P2000 + if the driver has been issued an authentic license, one year suspension; or, if the driver has not been issued a driver's license, he shall be disqualified to secure one for two years
Student driver operating a vehicle without being accompanied by a licensed driver	P200	P500
Operating a vehicle which is unregistered/improperly registered or with invalid registration	For the driver and the owner, P450 each	If committed by the driver without the knowledge/consent of the owner, P2000	** in both cases, the vehicle shall be impounded or the plates shall be confiscated and will only be returned once the vehicle is properly registered
If the driver is also the owner**	P900	P4000
Obscure license plates	P150	P200
Improper display of a vehicle's permanent plate	P200	P500
Display of expired commemorative plates	P200	P2000
Tampered/marked plates or stickers	P300	P2000
Improper/defective horn or signalling device	P150	P300
Operating vehicle without head, tail, plate and/or brake lights	P150	P300
Unauthorized use of bell, siren or exhaust whistle	P150	P15000
Reckless driving
First offense	P500	P1000
Second offense	P750 + suspension of driver's license	P1500 + suspension of driver's license for two months
Third offense	P1000 + revocation of driver's license	P2000 + suspension of driver's license for six months***	***after third offense, automatic revocation of driver's license
Failure to install a seatbelt	-	P1000
Failure to wear/unbuckled seatbelt	-	P250
Allowing a child six years old and below to sit on the front passenger seat	-	P250