Exemption on RHD vehicle registration under DO 94-806

"Off-the-road" vehicles are exempted from the prohibition under DO No. 94-806.
This exemption recognizes the specialized use of such vehicles which may not pose the same operational issues as regular RHD vehicles used on public roads.

Vehicles imported by members of the diplomatic community and foreign expatriates working with the Philippine Government are also exempted from the prohibition.
Exemption applies only if the importation or shipment of these vehicles was initiated prior to the publication of DO No. 94-806 (i.e., before August 3, 1994).
This measure addresses concerns about vehicles already in transit or recently arrived, preventing disruption in their registration and use.

The concerned vehicles must be right-hand drive.
The importation or shipment must have commenced before the cutoff date (August 3, 1994).
Initial registration of these vehicles is allowed despite the general prohibition in the Order.

The exemption is authorized through a memorandum issued by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications.
The memorandum emphasizes the need for strict compliance and dissemination among concerned government agencies and stakeholders.

Department Order No. 94-806 was published on August 3, 1994.
The exemption memorandum was adopted on January 2, 1995.
The LTO Memorandum Circular enforcing the exemption was issued on January 13, 1995.

Only vehicles falling under the stated exemptions may be registered and operated legally.
The Order and its exemptions prevent future importation and operation of RHD vehicles except in specific, controlled circumstances.
Diplomatic and expatriate vehicles benefit from a transitional provision to avoid immediate disqualification upon the Order’s effect.

The regulation balances public safety and regulatory goals with practical considerations for diplomatic relations and specialized vehicle use.
It establishes clear boundaries for vehicle registration in the Philippines concerning RHD vehicles while providing necessary exceptions to avoid undue hardship on specific groups.