LTO Operational Guidelines for Impounded Vehicles

The memorandum is issued to strengthen control over the custody of impounded motor vehicles handled at the LTO Central Office.
It responds to Audit Observation Memorandum findings noting improper turnover of apprehended vehicles to non-MV Custodian custodians.
It addresses improper release practices where vehicles are turned over without required impounding and temporary permitting documents and are released without charging the necessary fines/penalties.
It seeks to preserve government revenues and expand availability of parking space or impounding slots for legitimate impounded vehicles.

The memorandum governs General Services Section (GSS) motor vehicle custodian operations for impounded vehicles at the LTO Central Office.
It covers receiving impounded vehicles in the impounding area by an Apprehending Officer (AO) and validation and custody by the Motor Vehicle Custodian (MVC).
It covers vehicle inspection and documentation procedures involving the assigned security guard.
It covers release controls, including security guard gate control and MVC document requirements.

The Apprehending Officer (AO) must accomplish the Impounding Receipt of Motor Vehicle (IRMV) at the impounding area.
The IRMV must be validated by the Motor Vehicle Custodian (MVC).
The AO must include the following information in the IRMV:
- owner of the vehicle
- complete address of the owner
- complete name of driver
- complete address of driver
- telephone number
- license number
- DLR number
- MV plate number
- make of MV
- type of body
- year model
- date and time
- print name and signature in the AO box
The MVC must supervise and order the stenciling of the chassis and motor numbers on the MVIR form to countercheck with the AO for possible additional violations to be indicated in the TOP.
The MVC, together with the assigned security guard, must inspect the motor vehicle and accomplish the following in the IRMV:
- chassis and motor numbers
- vehicle checklist
- accessories inside mv
- general condition of mv
- agency/office
- amv turned over toa boxes
The MVC must ensure the IRMV is properly filled-out before signing in the “amv turned over toa box” of the IRMV.
No motor vehicle may be accepted in the impounding area without an accomplished IRMV and TOP.

The security guard must be furnished copies of:
- the IRMV
- the TOP
When the MVC is off duty, the security guard may receive impounded vehicles in accordance with procedures on receiving and inspection (procedures consistent with the stenciling/counterchecking and inspection steps covering chassis/motor numbers and IRMV completion).
When the security guard receives vehicles during MVC off-duty hours, the security guard must turn over the received vehicles on the first office hour of the following working day to the MVC.

No impounded motor vehicle may be released unless the registered owner/driver provides all of the following documents:
- Official Receipt for fine/penalty (xerox copy) plus presentation of the original copy for counter checking
- IRMV with TOP (xerox copy)
- an Endorsement signed by the Assecas Office (xerox copy) with original stamped “aFor Releasea”, signed by the Chief, LES/Chief Custodial Section indicating the date and time
- TAS resolution (xerox copy)
The MVC must retain the above documents for filing.
No impounded motor vehicle may be released, and no exit by the security guard may be allowed, without the duly approved gate pass from the MVC.
The cut-off time for release of impounded motor vehicles is 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, except holidays.

The motor vehicle custodian and/or the assigned security guard is accountable for any lost/missing impounded motor vehicle and any item in the impounded vehicle when indicated in the checklist, as circumstances warrant.
Apprehended motor vehicle/s not properly turned-over to the MVC/security guard are the responsibility of the apprehending officer/s.

The MVC must submit a daily report on impounded motor vehicles using LES Form No. 003 with the 3rd copy (yellow copy) of the IRMV to the Chief, LES.
The MVC must submit a daily report on release of impounded motor vehicle using LES Form No. 004 to the Chief, LES.
The MVC must submit a monthly report on impounded motor vehicles using LES Form No. 005 to the Chief, LES.
The MVC must submit a monthly report on impounded motor vehicles not claimed for more than six (6) months.
To maximize use of the Central Office compound, impounded motor vehicle/s at the CO compound not claimed within one (1) month from the date of apprehension must be transferred to Las PiAas impounding area and/or other designated impounding area of the LTO.
The MVC and security guard, escorted by a LES law enforcer, are authorized to transfer the impounded motor vehicle.

The memorandum mandates strict compliance with the operational guidelines and procedures for the GSS motor vehicle custodian.
The memorandum is adopted on 05 June 2009 by ARTURO C. LOMIBAO, Assistant Secretary.