Marcos Signs Law Reducing Penalties for Motorcycle Plate Violations

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act No. 12209, easing some of the penalties for motorcycle-related violations under the amended Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.

Signed on May 9, 2025, the new law significantly lowers fines for driving a motorcycle without a number plate or with an unreadable plate. Previously, this offense carried penalties of ₱50,000 to ₱100,000; the updated law now caps the fine at ₱5,000.

The law also clarifies enforcement guidelines. Motorcycles without proper plates may be stopped and impounded, but riders can avoid seizure by presenting proof of ownership and registration—so long as the lack of a plate isn’t their fault.

In cases where plates are lost, damaged, or stolen, owners must report the issue to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) within 72 hours via the Joint PNP and LTO Operations and Control Center. Failure to do so can result in a ₱5,000 fine, or up to ₱10,000 if the plate is later used in a crime and the report wasn’t made within three days.

Previously, failing to report such losses could lead to fines ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱50,000.

Motorcycle owners are required to update their registration and secure the correct readable number plates by December 31, 2025. Meanwhile, the LTO has until June 30, 2026, to produce and distribute the new standardized plates. After this date, stricter enforcement of the updated plate requirements—including size, readability, and color coding—will begin.