The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has extended the validity of vehicles operating as public utility vehicles (PUVs) in a move to assist drivers and transport operators that have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in the last two years.

LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, however, said the extension approved by the Board under Resolution 164 Series 2022 does not include trucks-for-hire as she explained that these types of vehicles have been allowed to operate since the time of the first lockdown in March 2022.

"Understanding the financial hardships of the operators during the pandemic, the Board considered the recommendations in the form of economic relief to help them cope with the losses they suffered," the Board Resolution read.

Based on the resolution, vehicles being used as shuttle service, school transport service and tourist transport service with Year Model 2005 will be allowed to continue their operation until this year while those under Year Model 2006 will be until next year.

For Year Models 2007 and 2008, the maximum year of extension allowed is until 2024.

For vehicles being used as UV Express, they will be allowed to continue their operation until 2022 for Year Model 2007, until 2023 for Year Model 2008 and until 2024 for Year Model 2009.

For sedans, AUVs, SUVs and utility vans being used as Tourist Transport Service, they will be allowed to operate until only this year if the Year Model of the cars is 2010, until 2023 for Year Model 2011 and until 2024 for Year Model 2012.

For the same types of vehicles being used for Transportation Network Vehicle Service, all the 2013 models will be until this year, 2014 models are until 2023 and 2015 models are until 2024.

"All roadworthiness inspection report issued by the Land Transportation Office or DOTr-accredited Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers should be submitted as a requirement prior to confirmation of unit,: the LTFRB Board Resolution read.