Legal basis and controlling law
- Republic Act No. 4136 (the Land Transportation and Traffic Code) requires that any new model of motor vehicle in the market must be properly classified prior to its registration with the LTO.
- Republic Act No. 8794 (the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC)) provides the related framework requiring proper classification before registration.
- Administrative Order No. 3 dated 24 September 1980 defines a motorcycle as a motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, except that four wheels may be in contact with the ground when two of the wheels are a functional part of a sidecar.
Policy purpose: proper classification before registration
- The circular implements the requirement that new motor vehicle models must be properly classified prior to registration with the LTO.
- The circular establishes the classification of three (3) wheeler motorcycles for purposes of registration and charging the correct fees.
Classification rule for three-wheeler motorcycles
- Three (3) Wheeler Motorcycle shall be classified as a MOTORCYCLE.
- The classification applies to three (3) wheeler motorcycles as shown below (with the circular indicating an image reference for the classification).
- The classification ensures that registration of such vehicles follows motorcycle fee rates.
Registration fees and fee rates
- The registration fees of three (3) wheeler motorcycles classified as MOTORCYCLE are the rates prescribed for motorcycle.
Repeal and modification of inconsistent rules
- All circulars, rules, or regulations inconsistent with the memorandum circular’s classification and registration provisions are repealed and modified accordingly.
- The memorandum circular governs by requiring compliance with its classification directive for three (3) wheeler motorcycles.