New Motor Vehicle Inspection System Rules

Governing purpose and establishment

The New Motor Vehicle Inspection System (NMVIS) is established to replace the present inspection system for motor vehicle registration.
The NMVIS is implemented as a condition for vehicle registration in covered areas and for covered vehicle classes.

NMVIS coverage and implementation limits

A motor vehicle is not allowed for registration unless it has been inspected under the NMVIS.
Due to limited inspection facilities and equipment, initial implementation is confined to areas where motor vehicle inspection stations are located.
Initial implementation covers specific district offices and specific classes/types of motor vehicles under the order.

Covered district offices

NMVIS inspection is required for registration of covered vehicles in the following district offices:
- National Capital Region (all registration District Offices).
- Region III: San Fernando, Angeles, and Guagua district offices.
- Region IV: Lipa, San Pablo, Batangas City, and Cabuyao district offices.

Covered motor vehicles and registration exceptions

NMVIS inspection and compliance with NMVIS standards are required for registration of:
- All for-hire motor vehicles except tricycle.
- All for-hire provincial buses whose authorized routes include Metro Manila.
- All private trucks, buses and mini buses.
- Motor vehicles found to have been operated without being properly registered or with delinquent registration, except tricycles and motorcycles.
Change of venue of registration requires presentation of a valid NMVIS Inspection Report with other necessary requirements, subject to exceptions.
The NMVIS Inspection Report presentation requirement does not apply when:
- The new registration venue is a district office in the Visayas or Mindanao or any island province in Luzon, and the motor vehicle is being operated thereat on a regular basis; or
- Ownership has been transferred to a person or entity whose residence or place of business is in the Visayas, Mindanao, or in regions not mentioned in the covered district list, and the motor vehicle is being operated thereat on a regular basis.
The change-of-venue exception does not apply to for-hire motor vehicles registered in the National Capital Region.

Scope of inspection and required components

NMVIS inspection covers the following categories:
- Identity and Construction
- Engine and Power Train System
- Frame and Body
- Lamp/Light
- Brake System
- Steering System
- Buffer System
- Running System
- Safety Devices
- Fuel System
- Exhaust Emission Control System
- Electrical System

Identity, construction, and dimensional standards

Identity and construction must meet the following standards:
- The chassis number and motor/engine number are not tampered or showing signs of tampering.
- The vehicle’s chassis number matches the motor/engine number appearing in the vehicle’s original Certificate of Registration and original Official Receipt.
- The motor/engine number matches what appears in the original Certificate of Registration and original Official Receipt.
- The make/type, model, and number plates reflected in the original Certificate of Registration and original Official Receipt are verified and confirmed by the vehicle’s appearance.
Dimensional limits for vehicles operating as a single unit are imposed:
- Overall length
  - Freight vehicles with two axles: 10 meters
  - Passenger vehicles with two axles: 11 meters
  - Vehicles with 3 or more axles: 14 meters
- Overall width: 2.5 meters
- Overall height: 4 meters
Maximum axle and wheel weight limits apply:
- Per most heavily loaded wheel: 3,600 kilograms
- Per most heavily loaded axle: 8,000 kilograms
- Per most heavily loaded axle group (two axles at least 1 meter but less than 2 meters apart): 14,500 kilograms
Frame and body must comply with these requirements:
- The frame and body must be secured to fully withstand operation and must not have damage due to corrosion, wear and tear.
- The body must be firmly fixed to the frame so it may not loosen due to vibration, impact, etc.
- The body must be free from sharp edges or rotating protrusions that endanger people and other vehicles on the highway.
Riding accommodation standards for motor vehicles with passenger compartments apply:
- The passenger compartment must be constructed to ensure safe boarding and prevent passengers from falling off or stumbling due to vibration or impact.
- The driver and passenger compartments must be constructed to allow necessary and sufficient ventilation.
- Seats must be provided and should be fully upholstered for passenger comfort.
- The driver’s seat must allow a full view necessary for driving and must not be obstructed by passengers or cargo.
- The passenger compartment must be equipped with bright white colored light.
- The floorboard must be in condition that prevents passengers from falling and prevents dust, water, and dirt from entering the passenger compartment.
- Cars and taxicabs must have doors that easily open and close and must have door glass that can easily be rolled open and close.
Goods-loading accommodation must be secured and constructed to enable safe and reliable loading of goods.

Visual equipment confirmation requirements

NMVIS requires ocular inspection to determine the physical condition of:
- lamps reflectors, rear-view mirrors, windshield wipers, and tires;
- wiper proper operation must also be actually tested.
Clearance lights must comply with these rules:
- Clearance lamps are required each side at the front for motor vehicles (except two-wheeled motor vehicles without sidecar and mini sized motor vehicles with a maximum speed of less than 20 kph).
- Clearance lights must be white, light yellow, or amber.
- Clearance lights must be mounted symmetrically on the left and right portions.
Number-plate light requirements apply:
- A rear number-plate light must illuminate the number plate with white light.
- Wiring must prevent removal at the driver’s seat, and the light must turn on whenever headlights or clearance lights are turned on.
Tail lights must comply with visibility requirements:
- The rear must be equipped with red tail lights on both sides visible at least 100 meters from the rear.
- For two- or three-wheeled vehicles, only one tail light is necessary.
Parking lights must comply with wiring and visibility rules:
- Parking lights are required on each side at both the front and rear (with exceptions for two- or three-wheeled vehicles with or without sidecar and trailers).
- Where a tractor and trailer are coupled, the combined unit must have parking lights as required for both front and rear.
- Front and rear parking lights must be clearly visible at night at 100 meters.
- Parking lights must be wired to be turned on only when the vehicle is not in operation.
- Front parking lights must be yellow or amber; rear parking lamps must be red.
Rear reflex reflectors must comply with visibility and color rules:
- Rear reflex reflectors must be on each side at the rear.
- They must be visible at night at least 100 meters away.
- They must reflect red.
Stop lights/brake lights must comply with operation and color rules:
- Stop lights are required on each side at the rear, except two- or three-wheeled vehicles where only one is sufficient.
- Testing/inspection may be done by turning the light on and off at the driver’s compartment.
- Wiring must allow the stop lamps to be turned on only when the service brake system is applied.
- Stop lamps must show red light.
Back-up lights must comply with transmission-activated wiring and color rules:
- Back-up lights are required except for two-wheeled vehicles (with or without sidecar) and motor vehicles with width 0.8m or less.
- Wiring must activate back-up lights only when the transmission is in reverse.
- Back-light color must be white or light yellow.
Signal lights requirements apply:
- Vehicles must have signal lights at right and left sides and at the front and rear.
- Front signal lights must be yellow, amber, or red.
- When operated, they must flash at a constant rate of not less than 60 or not more than 120 cycles per minute.
Horn requirements apply:
- A horn is required.
- The horn must not be a siren or bell.
Rear-view mirrors requirements apply:
- All motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers must have rear-view mirrors enabling observation of left-side traffic up to 30 meters backward.
- The right rear-view mirror is optional.
- Mirrors must be easily adjustable and must have stable support.
Windshield wipers requirements apply:
- All motor vehicles except two- and three-wheeled vehicles must have automatic windshield wiper(s).
- If two wipers are provided, they must operate together.
Tires must comply with the following:
- Tires must not have any crack, bare cord, or damage.
- Tire road-contact points must be skidproof to reduce slipping likelihood.
- Wheel bolt and nut must be complete and well tightened.

Alignment, steering, brake, and speedometer tests

Sideslip test standard applies:
- Sideslip is measured on an Alignment Tester platform.
- The standard is 7mm or less when running one meter.
Steering system registration requirement applies:
- Covered motor vehicles under Section 4 must not be registered unless the steering system complies with standards requiring:
  - secured steering wheel parts;
  - steering wheel construction enabling easy handling and maximum maneuverability from a normal driving position;
  - steering wheel or parts not coming into contact with chassis frame, fender, etc. when steered;
  - steering wheel turning angle having no considerable difference to tire steering angle;
  - steering wheel clearance not exceeding 45 degrees when turned left or right.
Brake test standards apply:
- Braking force testing uses a brake tester with two spine-shaped rollers measuring braking force when wheels are placed on the tester.
- Standards require:
  - sum of braking forces of right and left wheels not less than 50% if the axle weight;
  - difference between right and left braking forces not exceeding 10% of axle weight;
  - braking system secured to withstand operation and fixed so it may not be damaged by vibration, contact, impact, etc.;
  - braking system constructed and functioning so it does not interfere with steering performance;
  - brake service system working on at least half the number of wheels and always including all rear wheels;
  - brake performance compliance with the braking distance table based on maximum speed and initial speed:
    - 80 or more initial speed: stopping distance 22 or less at 50 (as shown in the table’s row structure);
    - 35 or more initial speed: stopping distance 14 or less at 35;
    - but not less than 80 with initial speed 20 or more: stopping distance 20;
    - 5 or less at initial speed max speed: stopping distance 5 or less;
  - if part of brake pipings (except a part serving two or more wheels) is damaged, the brake may still be applied to at least two wheels (not applicable to certain emergency brake systems and certain two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles);
  - brake fluid must not damage the system by corrosion of brake pipings or bubble formation from engine heat or other heat sources;
  - mechanical parking/holding capability while driver is away: hold unloaded vehicle on dry paved road with gradient of 1/5 under application force of 90 kgs or less (foot-operated) or 50 kgs or less (hand-operated);
  - tractor requirement: the holding requirement also applies when an unloaded trailer is coupled thereto.
- Trailer braking system requirements apply:
  - braking system must fully withstand operation and not be damaged by vibration, impact, contact, etc.;
  - service brake system must operate in connection with the tractor’s service brake system;
  - one line must control holding an unloaded and stationary trailer on dry paved road with gradient of 1/5 under application force of 90 kgs or less (foot-operated) or 50 kgs or less (hand-operated).
Speedometer test standards apply:
- Accuracy is evaluated with a speedometer tester by rotating wheels so the speedometer indicates 40 km/hour and reading/measuring the tester indicator.
- Standard is between 32 and 48 kilometers per hour.
- A speedometer must be provided at a position easily observable by the driver.
- Speedometer must meet requirements:
  - allow easy confirmation of speed while vehicle is running;
  - include lighting device or luminous-painted dial plate with pointer;
  - be glare-proof.

Emission, exhaust, smoke, and headlamp standards

Exhaust emission test method and standards apply:
- CO and HC emissions at idling are measured using an NDIR (Nondispersive infrared) analyzer.
- Standards:
  - CO: up to 6%
  - HC:
    - up to 1200 ppm for 4-stroke engine vehicles;
    - up to 7800 ppm for 2-stroke engine vehicles;
    - up to 3300 ppm for vehicles with rotary and specialized engines.
Motor vehicles must not emit excessive smoke, bad-smelling, or harmful gases while running.
Exhaust pipe requirements apply:
- exhaust pipe opening must not face the plate;
- exhaust pipe must not be directed toward the passenger compartment;
- exhaust pipe must be located so it does not cause fire to the vehicle itself or cargo and does not obstruct operation of other systems such as the braking system or electrical system.
Diesel exhaust black soot content limits apply:
- black soot content must not exceed 2.5 m-1 light absorption coefficient or 66% cartridge smoke limit or 48% in the Bosch type smoke meter.
- Diesel smoke must be sampled while the accelerator is dressed and tested with a diesel smoke tester.
- For diesel-fed vehicles under no load and fully accelerated conditions, the standard must not be more than 48%.
Headlight test standards apply:
- Headlight testers measure brightness of headlamps and deviation of the optic axis from the main beam.
- Proper operation is tested by turning headlights on and off.
Headlamp equipment rules apply:
- Motor vehicles (except trailers) must have a headlamp on each side at the front.
- For a two-wheeled motor vehicle with or without sidecar and for a motor vehicle with a width of 8 meter or less, only one headlamp at the front is sufficient.
Headlight standards require:
- Luminous intensity:
  - 4-lamp type: 10,000 cd or more
  - 2-lamp type: 10,000 cd or more
- Deviation of optic axis direction at 10 m forward:
  - Right headlamp: up 0; down 20 cm; left 20 cm; right 20 cm or less
  - Left headlamp: up 0; down 20 cm; left 10 cm; right 20 cm or less
- Light color must be white or light yellow.
- Combined headlamps must allow the driver to discern an obstacle at 100 meters to the front at night.
- Beam must be directed to the course of the vehicle.
- Headlamp mounting height must be 1.2 meters or less above the ground.
- Symmetrical-front vehicles must have headlamps counted at the same level and symmetrically to the longitudinal axis.
- Headlamps must allow dimming or tilting downwards.
- Aim must not readily be disturbed by vibration or impact.
Auxiliary headlights must comply with these requirements:
- not more than two auxiliary head-lights may be lighted at the same time;
- main beam directed downward;
- main beam not directed to the left of the prolongation of the outermost left side of the vehicle;
- auxiliary headlight color must not be white, light yellow, or yellow;
- aim must not readily be disturbed by vibration or impact.

Buffer system, fuel, and electrical standards

Buffer system requirement applies:
- All motor vehicles must be provided with a buffer system such as springs or adequate padding with sufficient capacity against impact from the ground to ensure safe operation.
- Large size special motor vehicles and motor vehicles with gross vehicle weight less than 2,000 kilograms, or with maximum speed less than 20 kilometers per hour, are exempt from the buffer system requirement except for motor vehicles carrying dangerous articles.
Fuel system requirements apply:
- fuel tank and pipings must be secured so fuel does not leak and vibration/impact does not damage them;
- for passenger-carrying motor vehicles, the fuel tank and pipings must be constructed so fuel is unlikely to leak remarkably in impact due to collision;
- regular steel must be used for the fuel tank, and plastic containers may not be used as fuel tank;
- filler and gas vent must be constructed to prevent fuel leakage when the vehicle is jolted;
- filler and gas vent must not be located in the opening direction of the exhaust pipe and must be at least 300 millimeters away from the exhaust discharge opening;
- filler and gas vent must not open into the inside of any passenger compartment with seats or standing space (except the driver’s compartment separated by a partition);
- filler must be located outside the passenger compartment;
- filler and gas vent must be at least 200 millimeters or more away from any exposed electric terminal or switch.
Electrical system requirements apply:
- electrical wiring inside the compartment or in the place for a liquified petroleum gas container with partition wall must be covered with an insulator and fixed to the body;
- terminals/switches and other electric system likely to spark and located inside the vehicle compartment must be suitably covered;
- storage battery must be fixed to prevent movement or damage from vibration/impact;
- if battery is in the vehicle compartment, it must be covered with a wooden case or other insulating materials.

Underbody pit inspection and additional inspections

A 2.3 meter deep pit is used for underbody inspection.
An ocular inspection must be made of:
- brake hose and pipes for brake fluid leakage or damage;
- steering system for looseness and damages;
- radiator for water leakage;
- propeller shaft for play and distortion;
- shock absorber for oil leakage and deformation;
- exhaust pipe for damage;
- catalyzers and heat shielding plates for proper attachment and damages;
- leakage from engine and transmission.
The Assistant Secretary for Land Transportation may deem additional inspections necessary for certain motor vehicles.
Additional inspections may include:
- Inclination Angle Measuring Inspection for trucks believed to have high center of gravity;
- Sound Level Inspection.

Records, inspection schedule, validity, and fees

Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations must keep and preserve records and data of all motor vehicles inspected.
Each inspected motor vehicle must be assigned an inspection number reflected in the official receipt (MVRR).
The registering agency must enter, in a separate record book, the MVRR receipts and corresponding inspection numbers reflected therein.
A motor vehicle may be presented for NMVIS inspection within ninety (90) days prior to the scheduled registration date.
The NMVIS Inspection Report is valid for three (3) months from the date of issuance.
Inspection fees required are:
- P50.00 for jeepneys, taxicabs and passenger cars;
- P75.00 for trucks, truck buses, school buses and mini buses.
If a motor vehicle fails any NMVIS standard, a re-inspection fee of P50.00 or P75.00 applies as the case may be.
Re-inspection is conducted only for the aspect where the motor vehicle previously failed.

Administrative sanctions for LTO and DOTC personnel

Personnel of the Land Transportation Office or the Department of Transportation and Communications and its attached agencies who knowingly or through negligence commit any of the listed acts are subject to disciplinary action.
Discipline must follow due notice and hearing and results in suspension or dismissal depending on the gravity of the offense for:
- registering or causing registration of a motor vehicle in violation of any provision of the administrative order;
- reporting/certifying or causing reporting/certification that a motor vehicle which failed NMVIS standards has passed;
- violating any provision of the order or preventing enforcement or implementation through act or omission.

Repeal of conflicts

All circulars, orders, memoranda, rules and regulations, or issuances in conflict with the administrative order are repealed or modified accordingly.