LTO Demerit Points: How the Point System Works

The point system is not in the text of RA 10930 itself. It is in the law's implementing rules (IRR), signed by the Secretary of Transportation in 2019. Section 9 of the IRR tells the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to set up a point system to assess drivers who apply for license transactions and to identify, deter and penalize repeat offenders. The LTO must keep a registry where every driver's demerit points are recorded.

This page explains what the IRR provides. It does not cover later LTO circulars, so it does not confirm how each step is applied today.

Section 11 of the IRR sorts violations into three groups:

The list of violations is in Appendix 1 of the IRR, the Violation Demerit Point Schedule. A few examples from it:

• Grave (5 points): driving without a valid driver's license; driving an unregistered motor vehicle; colorum violation; drunk or drugged driving upon final conviction by a court.
• Escalating with repeat offenses: reckless driving is light for the 1st offense, less grave for the 2nd and grave from the 3rd. The same pattern applies to carrying a child on a motorcycle in violation of RA 10666.
• Light (1 point): failure to wear a seat belt, 1st offense.

The Secretary of Transportation may adjust the points after a hearing and publication, on the LTO's recommendation.

Double points for PUV drivers. Section 12 doubles the points of drivers of public utility vehicles for violations committed while driving a for-hire vehicle. The same applies to a private vehicle used as a PUV without LTFRB authority.

Not at the moment you are stopped. Section 10 says the LTO records the points only if:

1. you admit the apprehension;
2. you do not file a contest and the contest period ends; or
3. you contest it but lose after adjudication.

Each violation in a single apprehension counts separately. If you are stopped once for three violations, you get points for all three.

Tickets from the MMDA and local governments also count. Section 23 says they must report their apprehensions to the LTO, and no points are recorded until they report whether the ticket was admitted, uncontested, affirmed or dismissed. See how to contest a traffic ticket.

Points are counted from the day your license was issued or last renewed to the day before your next renewal (Section 13).

Section 16 applies even if your license was confiscated by, or is in the hands of, another law enforcement agency. Keep your address in the LTO records up to date, because that is where the revocation notice goes.

Yes. Section 17 bars a driver from changing a non-professional license to a professional one, or from adding license codes, for a period counted from the date the fines are settled:

• 1 to 2 points: 3 months;
• 3 to 4 points: 6 months;
• 5 or more points: 1 year.

Section 18 is stricter for student drivers. At least 5 points while the student permit is valid means the permit is confiscated and revoked after notice, and the student cannot apply again for one year. After a third revocation, the person may never again apply for a student permit. The accredited licensed driver acting as instructor gets the same points as the student. See the student permit guide.

Yes. Section 19 says points "shall revert back to zero" when you renew your license. The history of your violations is archived and stays in your permanent record.

There is one exception. If a ticket from an agency other than the LTO is still being contested when your license expires, its points are counted in the next period or when the contest is finally resolved.

Section 13 says the LTO shall create an accessible system where license holders can check the status of their license and their points. This page does not confirm whether the LTMS portal shows points today. For renewal steps, see renew your license online and the driver's license renewal guide.

Under the IRR's point system, yes: the 40-point revocation happens "without need for any proceeding". In MMDA v. Garin (2005), the Supreme Court said that a driver's license is not a property right but a privilege granted by the state. The state may suspend or revoke it in the interest of public safety, but subject to procedural due process. The IRR, for its part, provides for notice to the driver before a suspension under Section 15 and a notice of revocation under Section 16.

These are made-up examples to show how the rules work. They are not advice for any real case.

Nina. Nina gets two light violations and one less grave violation before her renewal: 1 + 1 + 3 = 5 points. Before she can renew, she must finish the driver's reorientation course.

Rodel. Rodel, a jeepney driver, commits a less grave violation while on his route. Because he was driving for hire, his 3 points become 6.

Abby. Abby had 7 points in her last period. She completes the course and renews her license. Her points go back to zero, but her past violations stay in her LTO record.

Ken. Ken contests an MMDA ticket. While his contest is pending, no points from that ticket are recorded against him.

Questions about your points can be raised with the LTO. Consider legal advice if your license was revoked or suspended and you believe the notice or the count was wrong, or if your job depends on a professional license.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, see Free legal help in the Philippines.