Demerit Points: Meaning in LTO Rules
Quick answer
Demerit points are points that, under the rules implementing Republic Act No. 10930, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) records against a driver for each traffic violation. The rules give 5 points for a grave violation, 3 for a less grave one and 1 for a light one. Reaching certain totals brings extra requirements at renewal, and 40 points means the license is revoked.
Also called: LTO point system
Where does the point system come from?
It is not in the text of Republic Act No. 10930 (the law on driver's license validity). It is in the law's Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in 2019. Section 9 of the IRR tells the LTO to keep a registry where every driver's demerit points are recorded. This page explains what the IRR provides. The IRR lets the DOTr Secretary adjust the points (Section 11); later LTO or DOTr issuances are not covered here.
How are points counted?
- Points per violation (Section 11): grave 5, less grave 3, light 1. The DOTr Secretary may adjust these after hearing and publication.
- Double for public utility drivers (Section 12): PUV drivers get double points for violations while driving for hire. The same applies to a private vehicle operating as a PUV without LTFRB authority.
- When they are recorded (Section 10): only if the driver admits the apprehension, does not contest it within the contest period, or contests it and loses. Each violation in one apprehension counts separately.
- Counting period (Section 13): from the issuance or last renewal of the license to the day before the next renewal.
What do the totals mean?
| Points | What the IRR provides |
|---|---|
| At least 5 | Driver's reorientation course before renewal (Section 14) |
| 10 or more | Reorientation course and the theoretical exam before renewal (Section 14) |
| Every 10 points, or the same violation 3 times | Mandatory reorientation course after LTO notice; failing to finish it within 30 days of the last apprehension leads to suspension after prior notice (Section 15) |
| At least 40 | License revoked for two years from the settlement of fines and penalties (Section 16) |
Holders of a student permit with at least 5 points lose the permit and cannot apply for another one for one year (Section 18).
Points go back to zero when the license is renewed, but the history of violations is archived in the driver's permanent record (Section 19).
Example
Made-up illustration: Nina has a private driver's license. Before her renewal, she pays two tickets for light violations and loses her contest of a less grave violation. Her total is 1 + 1 + 3 = 5 points. Under the IRR, she must finish a driver's reorientation course before she can renew. After the renewal, her count starts again from zero.
For more, see LTO demerit points: how the point system works and How to contest a traffic ticket. For renewal steps, see our driver's license renewal guide and renewing a license online in LTMS.
Frequently asked questions
How many demerit points is each violation?
Under Section 11 of the IRR of RA 10930, a grave violation is 5 points, a less grave violation 3 points, and any other violation is light and worth 1 point. The DOTr Secretary may adjust these after hearing and publication.
When are demerit points recorded?
Only when the driver admits the violation, does not contest it within the contest period, or contests it and loses (Section 10). Every violation in a single apprehension is counted separately.
What happens at 40 demerit points?
Section 16 says the license of a driver with at least 40 demerit points is revoked immediately, without need for any proceeding, for two years counted from the settlement of fines and penalties.
Do demerit points go back to zero?
Yes, upon renewal of the license (Section 19). The past violations are still archived and stay in the driver's permanent record.
Are demerit points in RA 10930 itself?
No. The point system is in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10930 issued by the DOTr in 2019, not in the text of the law.
General information, not legal advice. For your case, ask a lawyer, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or the agency.
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