Vehicles
Buying or selling a used car or motorcycle: LTO transfer of ownership
Check the papers before paying, transfer the registration on time, avoid stolen and financed vehicles, protect yourself as a seller, unblock a stuck transfer and drive legally with a foreign licence.
Last verified: 2026-10
Situations covered (11)
- Clean papers: HPG clearance, then LTO transfer within 20 working days
- Short-stay tourist: registration in your name may be refused
- Financed vehicle or "pasalo": the bank still holds it
- Seller is not the registered owner: the chain must be rebuilt
- Owner deceased: the heirs must settle the estate first
- Seller: report the sale and keep proof
- Still in your name: you remain liable, act now
- Seller missing: complete the documents or go to court
- Late transfer: pay the penalties and regularize
- HPG alarm or altered numbers: possible stolen vehicle
- Foreign licence: 90 days, then a Philippine licence
Sources
- Republic Act No. 12209 (2025), amending the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act — Lawphil
- Motorist.ph — How to transfer car ownership at the LTO in 2026 (October 2026)
- GMA News — LTO suspends AO VDM-2024-046 on transfer of ownership (October 2024)
- Inquirer — LTO defers fines for unregistered sales of used vehicles (October 2024)
- Filcar Transport Services v. Espinas, G.R. No. 174156 (2012) — case summary
- Top Gear Philippines — Converting a foreign driver's licence (October 2025)