How To Determine Car Registration Expiration

Car registration is considered to be one of the most intimidating and complex procedures of owning a new car, for the first time or even for the nth time. Luckily, most of the car dealers offer car registration to their shoppers as part of their contract of service which for most is no charge. However, the process does not end there – registrations come with expiration.

Here in our country, a vehicle’s original (initial) registration should last for three years. By that I mean, a car owner must be aware that it is his responsibility to renew the LTO registration every after 3 years. I know, always remembering your car’s LTO registration expiration is nothing but difficult, right? Fret not, there is actually an easy way to get reminded of your car’s LTO registration renewal (of course, aside from alarming and jotting it down to your Calendar or Planner).

When will I renew my car’s registration?

The renewal of a car's LTO registration is chosen by the vehicle's plate number. The last number of the plate number reveals to you the month of vehicle LTO enrollment. To make it more detailed, 1 represents January, 2 for February, 3 for March, 4 for April, and so forth. Fortunately, LTO allows car owners to register their car a month advance without extra charges. 

With respect to the week after week due date of car registration, following the “number-scheme” will be helpful but this time, you need to use the second to the last digit of your plate number instead. If your 2nd to the last digit falls under the numbers 1 to 3, then your car must be registered on the government’s working days (Monday to Friday) from the 1st to the 7th-day of the month (or the first week of the month). While if your 2nd to the last digit falls under numbers 4 to 6, your car registration should be on the day 8th to the 14th-day or the second week of every month. Finally, if your 2nd to the last digit fall under 9 and 0, then most probably, your car registration will be on the last week of the month.

Let’s take as an example the plate number ABC 1435. If you want to follow the monthly scheme of car registration, the last number in your plate number implies when your vehicle should be registered, say for example your last digit is 5 implying your vehicle ought to be registered in May. Addition to that, your 2nd to the last digit in the plate number is 3 meaning you should visit the nearest LTO from the working days of the first week of May (April 29 – May 3) of the current year. So if you want to have your car registration renewed for 2019, your plate number tells you that it must be between the dates: April 29, April 30, May 1, May 2 until May 3.

The Final Note

Car registration is never an easy task and it requires keen preparation and knowledge of the process. Make sure that before renewing your license, your car should be in its excellent state for the inspection. It will also help you in the renewal process to keep your documents and receipts as to prevent delaying the renewal process. Lastly, registration may be free at first but the renewal is not. To avoid penalties, renew your car on time.