PMVIC vs PETC: Computerized vs. old-fashioned emissions test

EDITORS DESK

Anyone who regularly registers a vehicle knows that, to this day, there are certain prerequisites before beginning the registration renewal process.

First of all, the vehicle must be covered by an accredited insurance provider that offers Third Party Liability (TPL) at the very least.

The second is proof of a passing mark in one of the following: an emissions test (from a Private Emissions Testing Center [PETC]) and vehicle visual inspection (conducted by an inspector at a Land Transportation Office (LTO), or a passing mark from a private motor vehicle inspection center (PMVIC), which incorporates both tests in one procedure.

Mind you, both cost about the same. However, it still boggles the mind why some motorists prefer the former two-step process as opposed to the more modern, computerized PMVIC.

Blame it on the pandemic

With a global pandemic that forced everyone to stay home, the government saw this as an opportunity to overhaul many aspects of governance. Our transport system was one of them, with the EDSA Busway established and the first steps toward phasing out old jeepneys and introducing modern PUVs.

Another aspect the government sought to overhaul was the registration system for private vehicles, particularly testing their roadworthiness. The emissions test and visual inspection were tedious and prone to error. After all, a more streamlined computerized solution similar to what’s already implemented by other countries (PMVIC) was available. This would tie-in nicely with the LTO’s new online Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) that digitizes all license-holders’ and vehicle owners’ information into one interconnected database. 

Unfortunately, the initial cost of PMVIC tests were considered too pricey, particularly at a time when many citizens were becoming gravely ill. So, the LTO mandated that PMVIC should reduce the cost even if this would affect their profitability after investing so much on such expensive equipment. But this wasn’t enough for the average motorist. So to ease the car-driving public into the new system, both methods (PETC and PMVIC) would be accepted for the time being.

When is the transition?

Some two to three years since the pandemic passed, these two systems are still accepted. It should be safe to say that medical costs and employment uncertainty brought about by Covid are long gone. While I certainly don’t look forward to the price of PMVIC inspections rising, I do think it’s time the PETC and visual inspection is abolished.

After all, the PMVIC is already quite comprehensive. That includes a visual inspection, as well as computerized inspection of vital vehicle components like lights, brakes, suspension, and emissions. 

The car is subjected to a standardized, semi-automated test. In fact, if at any time there is a problem while testing, the car has to be run through the test again from the start. 

If your vehicle is well-maintained and generally stock, it should easily pass. It’s only vehicles with a patchwork of questionable repairs or modifications that will fail these standardized tests.

If the government is serious about raising the standards for roadworthiness and reducing accidents, these objective tests will certainly weed out the troublesome vehicles.

A more streamlined test

Truth be told, I’ve been electing to go through the PMVIC (instead of the old system) for all my vehicles for four years now. Each session lasts a maximum of 15 minutes. Granted, much of my personal and vehicle data has to be uploaded to the LTMS system. The government does not exactly have a stellar record of keeping our data safe from security breaches. Nonetheless, many operators are going above and beyond to provide a comfortable and worry-free inspection. 

My regular venue simply offers an air-conditioned waiting room while my vehicle is being tested. I did, however, find another branch (slightly farther away) that not only offers a cool and comfortable  waiting room, but also has a snack stall, and a vehicle insurance desk in the same venue. 

In fact, many operators are campaigning for the LTO to make their PMVICs a one-stop shop for vehicle renewal, including the steps of entering the data and paying the LTO. Thanks to the LTMS system that digitizes many LTO processes, there might not even be a need to go to an LTO satellite office at all. And if that last tedious part was eliminated, wouldn’t more motorists be encouraged to actually register their vehicles?

The LTO has already made great strides in streamlining and speeding up the license renewal process. A whole day affair is now just a matter of minutes. In fact, it’s already near perfect, if not for the occasional plastic shortage. Isn’t it time vehicle registration renewals receive the same upgrade?

(Iñigo S. Roces is the Motoring Editor of Manila Bulletin)