The experience of transferring a vehicle’s ownership may be easy or hard depending on whom you talk to. But whatever it is, it should now be done as soon as possible. The Land Transportation Office is putting its foot down by penalizing those who delay dealing with the necessary paperwork.

According to Administrative Order No. AO-VDM-2024-046, the process is a two-step affair that begins with reporting the sale or transfer of the vehicle to the LTO. This should be done within five days of the actual turnover date or the indicated turnover date in the notarized deed, whichever comes first.

The following must be submitted online:

• Official receipt and certificate of registration
• Notarized deed of sale/donation or any deed of conveyance
• Two valid government IDs from each party (one of the IDs must be a valid driver’s license)

Strangely (or not), the LTO has not yet stated where these documents can be uploaded.

The other step is the actual transfer of ownership. This must be accomplished within 20 days of the vehicle’s actual turnover date or the indicated turnover date in the notarized deed, whichever comes first. Thankfully, the LTO has made it clear that this can be done at any of its offices.

These are the required documents:

• Original official receipt and certificate of registration
• Confirmation of MV registration if the CR was issued outside of the region where the transfer is taking place
• PNP-HPG clearance certificate with transfer of ownership as the purpose
• Motor vehicle inspection report or private motor vehicle inspection center report
• Insurance certificate of cover (if registration is due for renewal)
• Two valid government IDs from each party (one of the IDs must be a valid driver’s license)
• Secretary certificate (if vehicle is owned by a corporation)

A fine of P20,000 awaits sellers who do not report the transfer within the five-day time limit. A further P20,000 will be charged if the transfer of ownership is not processed within the 20-day period. It did not say which party will be footing the bill for the latter penalty, but it’s safe to assume that someone will have to reluctantly pay for that. Therefore, it is in the best interest of everyone involved to get things done on time.

As to how the LTO can even enforce this, we’ll just have to wait and see. But judging by the absence of the online submission portal, we’re not holding our breath.