Philippine Traffic Violations

Ever been surprised by an apprehending traffic officer with a violation you haven't heard of ? Every motorist, at least once in his lifetime has been apprehended by a traffic officer.

Sometimes, you are surprised by the apprehending officer with a "new" or improvised traffic violation, or at times it might be something real that you just haven't heard of. Knowing the violations might save you money and trouble.

There are also some instances of wrong apprehensions, like the very popular 'driving without license' violation. Do not allow the apprehending officer to get away with this, when you really have a license but did not bring it, this would only mean a failure to carry a driver's license when operating motor vehicle with a fine of 150 pesos compared to 750 pesos for driving without license.

Be calm and polite when confronted by a traffic officer. Shouting or yelling at them can also get you in trouble. There is a violation called "Arrogance or discourtesy towards a traffic officer" which will incur a 150 peso fine.If you are driving a car be sure to bring along with you your spare tire, as failure to do so will also result in a violation with a fine of 150 pesos.

Bring along your early warning device or buy one if you don't have one yet. This will save you 100 bucks and another 300 pesos if your car needs a little roadside repairs.

Last but not least, please do remember to fasten your safety belts or be ready to pay 300 or even a 1000 pesos fine. Don't forget that using your mobile phone, be it calling, answering a call, or texting is also a violation of the law unless you have a hands free kit installed. Texting is still not permitted even with the installation of a hands free kit since texting cannot be done hands free. Listed below are the traffic violations with corresponding penalties and subject of violation.

Legend: Violations - Penalties - Subject

A. Violations related to licensing:

1. Driving without license - P 750.00 (Driver)
2. Driving with delinquent, invalid. suspended, ineffectual, revoked or improper license - P 300.00 (Driver)
3. Failure to show or surrender driver’s license for cause upon due demand by person with authority to confiscate - P 150.00 (Driver)
4. Failure to carry driver’s license when Operating motor vehicle - P 150.00 (Driver)
5. Failure to sign driver’s license - P 150.00 (Driver)
6. Driving while under the influence of Liquor or prohibited drug - P 2,000.00 (Driver),
   For the 2nd offense - Fine + 1 yr suspension (Driver), Subsequent violation - Revocation of Driver's License (Driver)
7. Allowing an unlicensed/improperly licensed person to drive MV - P 750.00 (Owner / Operator)
8. Possession and use of fake driver’s license. If the driver has been issued an authentic license, the same shall be confiscated and suspended for 6 months in addition to the fine.If the driver has not been issued an authentic license, he shall not be qualified to secure driver’s license for a period of six (6) months in addition to the fine - P 1,500.00 (Driver)
9. Allowing another person to use his driver’s license – confiscation and suspension for one (1) month - P 500.00 (Driver)
10. Use and involvement of MV by the driver in the commission of a crime-in case of court conviction, automatic revocation of driver’s license - P 1,500.00 (Driver)
11. Student Driver operating a MV without being accompanied by a licensed driver - P 200.00 (Student Driver)

B. Violations related to registration:

1. Operating a MV which is unregistered/improperly registered delinquent or with invalid registration. If driver is also the Owner, MV shall be impounded until Properly registered - P 450.00 (Driver), P 450.00 (Owner)
2. Operating MV with unregistered substitute or replacement engine, engine block or chassis, change color, change body or configuration. In addition, MV shall be properly impounded until such parts are properly registered - P 500.00 (Owner)
3. Failure to carry in the MV the Certificate of Registration (CR) and Official Receipt (OR) (original or Photocopies) - P 150.00 (Owner)
4. Operating/allowing the operation of MV with a suspended/revoked Certificate of Registration - P 450.00, MV impounded or its plates held during period of suspension / Revocation
5. Tourist Operating a non-Philippine registered MV beyond 90 day period of his sojourn - P 1500.00MV shall not be allowed to operate until properly registered (Tourist)

C. Violations relating to number plates and stickers:

1. MV number plates not firmly attached and visible. Dirty or uncared for plates. Inconspicuously displaced plates in front and rear. NO STICKER showing current Registration - P150.00 (Driver)
2. License plates different from body Operator number on Public Utility Vehicle - P 450.00 (Owner)
3. Improper display of MV plates by owner (permanent) plates to accommodate a better display of commemorative/other plates - P 500.00 (Owner)Display of expired commemorative/other plates - P 500.00 (Owner)
4. Tampered/Marked plates/stickers - P 300.00 (Owner)
5. a. Illegal transfer and use of MV plates/tags or stickers from one MV to another except security plates on authorized vehicle Owner/Operator are conclusively presumed to have caused or permit such illegal transfer and liable to fine. Driver of MV involved in illegal transfer of plates - 1 month suspension of driver’s license (Driver) + P 7,500.00 (Owner) b. If MV is used and involved in commission of a crime - P 10,000.00 (Driver) Penalty plus motor vehicle impounded (Owner)

D. Violations relative to equipment, parts, accessories, devices and marking of a motor vehicle:

1. Operating MV with metallic tires on any public highway, Defective brakes, Improper/defective horn or signaling device, Unnecessary lights visible in front of vehicle, Missing or defective headlights/taillights, Missing or red rear lights at both/each, side visible at least 100m. from vehicle, Missing or defective plate light,Missing or defective brake lights,Missing or defective wiper on the windshield,Missing cut/disconnected muffler - P 150.00 each (Driver)
2. Dirty/unsightly or dilapidated MV. In addition, confiscation of plates until defects are corrected - P 150.00 (Owner/Operator)
3. Failure to paint or improper painting of authorized route or painting of unauthorized route of PUJ - P 375.00 (Owner/Operator)
4. Non-painting of business or trade name - P 150.00Confiscation of plates until defects are corrected (Owner)
5. a. Use of unauthorized improvised plates - P 150.00 (Owner) b. Use of improvised plates to make MV appear as for hire - P 1,500.00 (Owner)
6. a. Dirty and/or unsanitary defective unit b. Without/defective hand brakes c. Without or defective speedometer or tachometer d. Defective or broken windshield e. Without or defective windshield wiper f. Without rear view mirror g. Without interior light - P 150.00 (Owner/Operator)
7. Without name or business name and address inscribed on both sides of MV used for public services - P 150.00 + Confiscation of plates until proper markings are made (Owner/Operator)
8. Without spare tire - P 150.00 (Owner/Operator)
9. Unauthorized bell sirens or exhausts whistle on emergency - P 150.00, Said gadgets shall be confiscated (Owner/Operator)
10. Without red flag or red lights on projecting end of load extending more than a meter beyond the bed or body and in the evening, red lights visible at least 50 meters away - P 150.00 (Driver)
11. Failure to paint appropriate body number on a MV for hire on both sides - P 375.00 (Owner/Operator)a. Failure to carry EWD - P 100.00 (Driver) b. Failure to install EWD 4 meters away to the front and rear of the stalled/disabled MV - P 300.00 (Driver)
12. Without capacity markings - P 150.00 (Owner/Operator)Failure to wear safety belt while operating motor vehicle or while riding on front passenger seat - P 1,000.00 (Owner), P 300.00 (Operator)
13. Without permanent tail gauge or failure to put “NOT FOR HIRE” sign in a private jeepney/jitney - P 300.00 (Owner)

F. Violations relative to frauds and falsities:

1. Use of invalid/ delinquent/ suspended/ revoked/ fake license, identification card or permit - P 1,000.00 ~ P 3,000.00 (Driver)
2. Fake CR, OR, plates, tags or stickers/spurious documents - P 1,000.00 ~ P 3,000.00 (Owner/Operator)Misrepresenting a copy of a document before the Traffic Adjudication Service - P 1,000.00 ( Owner/Operator/Driver)

G. Violations related to parking and drivers:

1. Parking within an intersection, Parking on a crosswalk, Parking within 5 m. of the intersection of the intersection of curb lines, Parking within 4 m. of the driveway entrance to any fire station, Parking within 4 m. of a fire hydrant, Parking in front of a private highway, Parking on the roadway side of any unmoving or parked at the curb or edge of the highway, Parking at any place where official signs of prohibition have been erected, Allowing a passenger on top or cover of vehicle, Allowing a passenger to ride on running board, step board ormudguard of MV while it is in motion, Disregarding traffic signs, Failure to use helmet while driving/riding a motorcycle - P 150.00 each (Driver)
2. Reckless Driving - 1st Offense , P 150.00 (Driver) - 2nd Offense and suspension of Driver’s License, P 150.00 (Driver) - 3rd Offense and revocation of Driver’s License, P 1,000.00 (Driver)
3. Arrogance or Discourtesy - P 150.00 (Driver)
4. Failure to dim headlights - P 150.00 (Driver)
5. Driving in slippers or sleeveless shirt - P 100.00 (Drive)
6. Driving in a place not for traffic or parking in a place not for parkingFailure to give way to police or fire department vehicle or ambulanceHitching or permitting a person on a bicycle or roller skates to hitchto the vehicle - P 100.00 (Driver)

H. Traffic Violations:

1. Illegal turn - P 150.00 (Driver)
2. Driving against traffic/counterflow - P 2,000.00 (Driver)
3. Illegal overtaking - P 150.00 (Driver)
4. Overtaking at an unsafe distance - P 150.00 (Driver)
5. Cutting an overtaken vehicle - P 150.00 (Driver)
6. Failure to give way to an overtaking vehicle - P 150.00 (Driver)
7. Increasing speed when being overtaken - P 150.00 (Driver)
8. Overtaking when left side is not visible or clear P 150.00 (Driver)
9. Overtaking on a crest or grade - P 150.00 (Driver)
10. Overtaking on a curve - P 150.00 (Driver)
11. Overtaking at a railway grade crossing - P 150.00 (Driver)
12. Overtaking at an intersection - P 150.00 (Driver)
13. Overtaking between "Men Working" or "Caution" signs - P 150.00 (Driver)
14. Failure to yield to the right of way - P 150.00 (Driver)
15. Failure to come to a complete stop at a through street - P 150.00 (Driver)
16. Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop intersection - P 150.00 (Driver)
17. Failure to give proper turn/stop signals - P 150.00 (Driver)
18. Illegal right turn - P 150.00 (Driver)
19. Illegal left turn - P 150.00 (Driver)
20. Failure to stop motor vehicle and apply handbrake when unattended - P 150.00 (Driver)
21. Causing an obstruction to traffic - P 150.00 (Driver)