Law Summary
Prohibition on Initial Registration of Right-Hand Drive Vehicles
- DOTC Order No. 94-806 dated July 28, 1994, prohibits the initial registration of newly assembled or imported Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles.
- This order aims to align vehicle controls with the prescribed driving orientation.
Phase-Out Schedule for In-Use Right-Hand Drive Vehicles
- From January 1, 1995, renewal of registration for RHD trucks is prohibited.
- From January 1, 1996, renewal of registration for all other RHD vehicles is prohibited.
- Registration of RHD buses, jeepneys, and taxis continues to be disallowed completely.
Exemptions to the RHD Phase-Out Order
- Off-road vehicle types are exempted.
- Vehicles registered and classified as diplomatic are exempt.
- Vehicles imported by foreign consultants working with the government, which must be re-exported after contract completion, are exempt.
- Vehicles not traditionally operated on roads and highways, such as vintage cars maintained for exhibition purposes, are exempt.
Conversion Requirements for Right-Hand Drive Vehicles
- RHD vehicles operating in the country must be converted to left-hand drive.
- The conversion must comply with technical specifications issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Implementation and Penalties
- The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is responsible for issuing directives to regional and district offices for implementation.
- DOTC and LTO employees violating this order will face administrative sanctions.
Effectivity of the Order
- The order takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.