In the US, they’re called pink slips. In the Philippines however, they’re yellow. These little cards, called certificates of registration (CR), show vehicle ownership and are proof of registration. We may be familiar with these yellow cards, but they are about to get a makeover.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is overhauling its look in order to be more compliant with the new Philippine National Standard (PNS) vehicle classifications, new license codes, as well as the upcoming Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).
The LTMS is a system the LTO hopes to roll out soon designed to make it easier to book appointments and pay dues online.
Back to the new CR itself, The LTO says it is now larger “to provide enough space for the inclusion of additional significant vehicle information and to increase the font size to make the details therein easily readable.” The agency adds that its size is now the same as other certificates issued by other government agencies.
The LTO hopes this change in size will also reduce the likelihood of losing it and filing requests for a duplicate CR.
Future proof
Besides the size, the new CR will also include vehicle classification (private, for hire, except, etc.), which was usually detailed in the OR. It will also have the new vehicle category designation which is aligned with Philippine National Standards (PNS) on the classification and definition of power-driven vehicles (L 1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, M1 I M2, M3, N1 I N2, N3, 01, 02, 03, 04, SA, SB, SC, SD). We’ve already discussed in a previous article how these new categories work and what license restriction you’ll need for them. Vehicle color has also been brought back for the new system.
This change is hoped to make the CR future proof. As an example, the LTO added special categories in the new CR. These include maximum power in kilowatts for electric vehicles, year model, and year rebuilt. Another change is for imported used vehicles and is based on the oldest part fitted on the car.
Denomination and body number have been removed in favor of vehicle type (car, UV, SUV, Bus, Truck, MC/TC, or trailer) and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Shipping weight, net capacity, and the number of cylinders have also been deleted. Last but not least is a dedicated space for remarks on the vehicle.
The LTO has recently issued a memo detailing this critical change. As such, those registering a car for the first time in the next few months may be the first to receive the new CR.