Earlier this year, the Metro Manila Council (MMC), through the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued a regulation that prohibits e-bikes, e-trikes, pedicabs, and tricycles on national roads, radial roads, and circumferential roads in Metro Manila.
Likewise, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has also issued guidelines regarding the registration of all types of electric vehicles (EVs). The LTO has also stated that all motorized vehicles that are used on public roads — including electric vehicles — must be registered, and its users should have a valid driver’s license.
This article presents a step-by-step guide to registering e-bikes and other types of electric vehicles. It also addresses some common questions regarding the usage and registration of electric vehicles.
What are Electric Vehicles?
The LTO defines “Electric Vehicle” as “a motor vehicle with at least one electric drive for vehicle propulsion.”
This definition includes Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which are electrically-propelled vehicles with only a traction battery as power source for vehicle propulsion. It also includes Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) such as electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other similar vehicles that weigh less than 50 kilograms. Most of the e-bikes that we see on the road these days are actually LEVs.
Do I Need to Register my e-Bike?
“All electric vehicles used and operated in public highways must be registered,” according to Section 3 of the LTO’s Administrative Order VDM-2-24-044.
Moreover, the LTO administrative order states, “All electric vehicles that are not registered or are not required to be registered with LTO but are found used and operated in public highways shall be impounded.” Impounded electric vehicles will only be released upon payment of fines or penalties.
As for the classifications of vehicles, these are the types of electric vehicles that require registration:
- Personal mobility scooter (PMS)
- Electric kick scooter
- e-Bikes, e-Moped 2W (up to maximum speed of 25 kph)
- Light e-Scooter, e-Moped 2W (up to maximum speed of 50 kph)
- e-Scooter, e-Moped 3W (L2a category)
- e-Scooter, e-Moped 3W (L2b category)
- e-Motorcycle
- e-Trike or 3-Wheeled electric vehicle
- e-Quad
NOTE: Light electric vehicles that are used exclusively on private roads (e.g. roads in subdivisions) are not required to be registered with the LTO.
Requirements for Classification
As part of the requirements — all manufacturers, assemblers, and/or importers of electric vehicles need to submit the specifications of each model to the LTO. This way, the agency can determine each vehicle’s classification and registration fees.
They need to submit the following:
- Letter of request for classification;
- Specifications of the electric vehicle;
- Photos of the vehicle submitted for classification;
- Motor Vehicle Inspection Report from LTO Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (MVIC) after actual inspection of a model unit; and
- Department of Energy (DOE) recognition whether the unit is a Battery-powered Electric Vehicle (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), or Light Electric Vehicle (LEV).
Requirements for Initial Registration
As for the owners of electric vehicles, here are the documents that you need for registration with the LTO:
- Original Sales Invoice;
- Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR);
- Original Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Motor Vehicle (MV) Clearance;
- Appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover; and
- Proof of roadworthiness.
NOTE: Certificate of Payment/Certification for component(s) from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is required before the application for CSR.
Registration Fees
The registration fees for the L2b, L3, L4, L5, L6, and L7 categories of electric vehicles are as follows:
- L2v (e-Scooter, e-Moped 3W) and L3 (e-Motorcycle) — PHP 240 (similar to motorcycle without sidecar)
- L4 (e-trike) — PHP 300 (similar to motorcycle with sidecar)
- L5 (3-Wheeled e-vehicle), L6 (e-Quad, light quadricycle), and L7 (e-Quad, heavy quadricycle) — PHP 1,600 (similar to light car)
How to Register my e-Bike?
Here are the steps to registering your e-bike or any electric vehicle:
- Prepare the requirements stated above and go to the nearest LTO Regional or District Office.
- Submit the requirements to an LTO evaluator. He/She will check your documents and record them into the system.
- An approving officer will provide you with a breakdown of fees.
- Bring the breakdown of fees to the cashier and settle your payment.
- Upon payment, the releasing officer will give you an Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR).
NOTE: The OR and CR will be issued to you as proof of registration. Furthermore, the LTO shall design a sticker/decal with a unique number. This shall serve as the license plate and primary identity of your electric vehicle.
What if I’m Already Using an e-Bike?
For brand-new electric vehicles that will be used on public roads, registration with the LTO is required. But what if you already have an e-bike, and you’ve been using it even before the latest guidelines have been announced?
If your electric vehicle is already in use, you can still register it with the LTO, provided that:
- You, as the owner, have registered to the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS);
- You are able to present proof of ownership or execute an affidavit attesting to your ownership;
- Your vehicle would be subjected to the LTO’s inspection, to ensure its roadworthiness;
- Your unit has a unique vehicle identifier; and
- Your unit has a Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance.
NOTE: If your unit does not have a unique vehicle identifier, the LTO shall issue an identifier, which will be stamped on the chassis/frame of your unit.
As for the validity period, for brand-new electric vehicles, the initial registration will be valid for three (3) years. For electric vehicles that are already being used, the initial registration will be valid for one (1) year. Afterwards, registration shall be renewed every year.
What’s more, please note that electric vehicles that are already in use must be registered with the LTO until July 1, 2024.
Does LTO Reject e-Bike Applications?
Yes. The LTO may reject an application or refuse to register an electric vehicle if it:
- Is unsightly, unsafe, or unfit to be operated on public highways; or
- Does not conform to minimum standards and specifications.
In addition, keep in mind that the LTO may inspect or examine motor vehicles (including electric vehicles) if these are registered, overloaded, or unfit to be operated at any given time.
Do I Need to Wear a Helmet?
Yes. Drivers/riders of all two-wheeled electric vehicles are required to wear protective vehicles, similar to those designed for motorcycle riders, in line with Republic Act No. 11154 or the Helmet Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Final Thoughts
Once again, if you are planning to use an electric vehicle on public roads, then you need to register it with the LTO. For more information about registering electric vehicles, please visit this link for LTO Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2024-2637, which is titled, “Guidelines in the Registration of All Types of Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs).”
On the other hand, if you are planning to register a motorcycle, see this link for the steps on registering motorcycles with the LTO.