QuestionsQuestions (LTO MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. AHS-2008-953)
No. The law prohibits any repair or change involving the exchange, elimination, effacing, or replacing of the original or registered serial/motor number as stamped or imprinted. If the engine bears traces of alteration or tampering, the vehicle must be refused for registration or re-registration unless satisfactorily explained and approved by the competent authority.
B.P. Blg. 74 narrows/strengthens the rule by stating that restoration of the original or registered serial number is allowed only if satisfactorily explained to and approved by the Director of Land Transportation (now Assistant Secretary). It also reiterates that no alteration/tampering can ever be allowed, and any engine with traces of tampering must be refused registration or re-registration.
No registration, re-registration, or processing of stock reporting is allowed. The memorandum emphasizes refusal of registration or re-registration for any engine showing traces of alteration or tampering.
It prohibits assigning and stamping a new serial number to a defaced engine or motor.
It is prohibited when the engine serial number does not include its model/series—for example, an engine number shown only as “7K-12345” where “7K” is the engine model/series that identifies the manufacturer. The rule requires the serial number format to include the model/series component.
The owner must submit a properly supported request with required supporting documents and must obtain approval from the Assistant Secretary before restoration is allowed.
Required supporting documents include: (1) an affidavit stating circumstances behind effacing/obliteration; (2) a letter-request from the owner; (3) a PNP-TMG macro-etching report and clearance; (4) source documents such as Certificate of Registration, BOC Certificate of Payment, Sales Invoice, etc.; and (5) an MVIS inspection report.
It requires submission of a PNP-TMG macro-etching report and clearance for the purpose of restoring the original or registered serial number.
The stamping of additional character that duplicates the one already registered/reported is the responsibility of the manufacturer or assembler.
No. The addition must be properly reported and approved by the Assistant Secretary even if the manufacturer/assembler is responsible for the stamping.
It states that LTO’s mandate is to ensure the motor vehicle is legitimately acquired, is roadworthy, and that the correct road user’s tax is collected.
It underscores the obligation of manufacturers to cause numbering of engine blocks, chassis, or bodies in a convenient and conspicuous part of which LTO may direct, supporting traceability and identification—consistent with anti-carnapping purposes.
It states that all memoranda and orders in conflict herewith are deemed superseded.
It took effect immediately upon adoption on 14 March 2008.
The Assistant Secretary (previously Director of Land Transportation under the amended law) must approve the request after the owner satisfactorily explains the circumstances.
Restoration is allowed only as a limited remedy to recover the original/registered serial number when properly supported by documents and approved by the Assistant Secretary; assigning and stamping a new serial number to a defaced engine is categorically prohibited.