RA 12209: What Every Motorcycle Owner Needs to Know About the New Plate Law

RA 12209 Signed: Here’s What the Updated Motorcycle Plate Law Means for Riders
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act 12209, which amends the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act (RA 11235), also known as the “double plate” law. Signed on May 9 and made public on May 14, 2025, the new law eases penalties while tightening registration and reporting timelines for motorcycle owners, buyers, and dealers.

Stricter timelines for registration and transfer
Under the updated law, dealers must register a motorcycle with the LTO within five working days of the date of sale, once the buyer is authorized. Sellers are also required to report the sale or disposal of their unit within five working days. Buyers, on the other hand, have 20 working days from acquisition to complete the transfer of ownership.

The LTO is directed to issue the certificate of registration within two working days after receiving all required documents, including clearance from the PNP-Highway Patrol Group. Dealers must also submit an annual report to the LTO on the status of all repossessed motorcycles in their custody.

Lower fines, lighter penalties
One of the biggest changes under RA 12209 is the significant reduction in fines and penalties:

• Dealers or owners who fail to comply with registration requirements: up to PHP 5,000 (down from PHP 20,000–PHP 50,000 + imprisonment)
• Riding without a plate or with an unreadable plate: PHP 5,000 (down from up to PHP 100,000)
• Failure to report a lost plate within 72 hours: PHP 5,000 (down from PHP 20,000–PHP 50,000)
• Using a stolen plate: up to PHP 20,000 (down from PHP 50,000–PHP 100,000 + prision mayor)
• Tampering, forging, or concealing a plate: 6 months to 2 years imprisonment + PHP 10,000 fine (down from up to 6 years imprisonment)

New plate design and compliance deadlines
Motorcycle owners whose plates don’t comply with the new law must renew registration and apply for the new readable plates on or before December 31, 2025. The LTO has until June 30, 2026 to produce and release the updated plates.
The new plates must be bigger, more readable, and color-coded — with font style and size to be specified in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR). Plate details must be legible from at least 15 meters behind the motorcycle.

When does it take effect?
RA 12209 takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. The LTO will release additional guidelines on compliance and plate specifications through the IRR.