Rules on Vehicle Ownership Transfer and Venue

The Circular governs transactions involving (1) transfer of ownership and (2) change venue of registration of motor vehicles.
The Circular applies to all concerned persons dealing with transfer of ownership and change venue transactions.
As a general rule, the required venue is the LT District Office that issued the current Registration Certificate.
The Circular imposes documentary, process, and timing rules for motor vehicle ownership transfer and registration venue change confirmations.

As a general rule, transfer of ownership and change venue transactions must be effected at the LT District Office that issued the current Registration Certificate.
A transaction may be effected in another LT District Office when the residence or place of business of the transferee/vendee or the owner is within the geographical area of responsibility of that other District Office.
When effected in another LT District Office, confirmation of the Registration Certificate and latest payment shall be required.
In the National Capital Region, transfer or change in ownership of motor vehicles registered in any LT District Office must be effected only at the LT District Office that issued the Certificate of Registration.
The National Capital Region venue rule does not apply to change classification from Private to For Hire/Government/Diplomatic and vice versa, which must be transacted at either Pilot or Diliman District Offices.

Requests for and replies to confirmation must be accomplished in four (4) copies (quadruplicate) using the prescribed format, and must include a mailing envelope and return card with identical control numbers.
The request and reply forms are the annexes identified as Annex “A”, Annex “B”, and Annex “C” (for required attachments and forms).
Confirmation processing must use registered mail with return card, not handcarrying.
The Records Officer or designate must maintain a logbook with the prescribed format, marked as Annex “D”.
No person may affix a signature on the “Request for Motor Vehicle Confirmation” or “Confirmed Request for Confirmation” except the respective Records Officer or designate and the Supervising/Senior Transportation Regulation Officer/Officer-in-Charge.

For transfer of ownership, the confirming-request package must include:
- Original copy of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) duly accomplished and approved by the Public Utilities Regulation Officer (PURO), with physical inspection by the requesting LT District Office;
- Photocopy of the Deed of Transfer duly authenticated by the TDO/OIC; and
- Certified copy of the Certificate of Registration and latest/current official receipt.
For change of venue of registration, the confirming-request package must include:
- Original copy of the MVIR duly accomplished and approved by the PURO, with physical inspection by the requesting LT District Office;
- Photocopy of the Certificate of Registration duly authenticated by the TDO/OIC; and
- Certified copy of the Official Receipt (latest).
In both transfer of ownership and change venue, the process contemplates that the requesting LT District Office performs the physical inspection for the MVIR.

The confirming District Office must act on the request within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt.
The confirmation/reply must be accomplished in the prescribed format (Annex “A”).
The Supervising/Senior Transportation Regulation Officer (Supvg./Sr. TRO)/OIC and the Records Officer or designate must compare engine and chassis stencils and the signatures of both transferor/vendor in the deed of transfer with the documents on file.
If engine and/or chassis numbers are furnished to the requesting LT District Office, the respective official dry seals of both the requesting and acknowledging LT District Offices must be marked on the confirmation to ensure authenticity and confidentiality.
MV confirmation requests not acted upon within a reasonable period must be followed up by reminding the addressee through a follow-up letter forwarded through the LT Regional Director having jurisdiction over the requesting LT District Office.

The requesting LT District Office must always furnish the respective Regional offices copies of the Confirmation Request.
The confirming LT District Office must furnish the respective Regional office(s) copies of the confirmed request.
The mailing envelope and return card must be attached to the confirmed document in the office files.
The registry receipt must be attached on the proper space provided in the logbook, marked as Annex “D”.

The absence of the mailing envelope and return card shall be prima facie evidence that the Senior TRO/OIC and the Records Officer or designate violated the Anti-Carnapping Law.
Failure of the confirming LT District Office to answer/acknowledge within twenty-four (24) hours (second tracer) shall be prima facie evidence against the confirming LT District Office, meaning that the Supervising/Senior TRO/OIC and the Records Officer or designate violated RA 6370.
Violation of any promulgated regulation subjects the Supervising/Senior Transportation Regulation Officer/Officer-in-Charge together with the authorized signatories to appropriate action sanctioned by law.
The Supervising/Senior Transportation Regulation Officer/Officer-in-Charge and the Records Officer or designate acting on the confirmation documents are jointly responsible for any malfeasance committed in implementation of the Memorandum Circular.