Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act

Policy and objectives

The State declares a cultural and historical protection mandate under Section 16, Article XIV of the Constitution and frames the Act around heritage protection and State regulation of disposition (Section 2).
The Act recognizes motor vehicles as integral to Philippine culture, history, and social life, and it requires sustainable conservation of surviving vintage vehicles and related heritage (Section 2).
The Act recognizes international markets for restoration and repair, the competitiveness of Philippine capability, and the need to provide an environment to support entrepreneurs, technicians, and the workforce (Section 2).
The Act sets objectives to:
- Protect, preserve, enhance, and promote national heritage by preserving vintage vehicles and enabling importation in historically correct condition (Section 2(a));
- Establish and strengthen regulatory policies encouraging preservation, maintenance, occasional use, and registration (Section 2(b));
- Increase economic opportunities for small and medium industries in restoration, repair, and spare/replacement parts (Section 2(c)); and
- Encourage tourism through automobile tours, museums/exhibits, vintage motorsports, and similar events (Section 2(d)).

Coverage and regulated subject matter

The Act applies to regulation of importation and exportation, registration, and use of vintage vehicles in all aspects (Section 3).
The Act governs vintage vehicles including concours, RESTOMOD (restored and modified), and vintage vehicles for repair or restoration, including authentic components, original or replica body shells, engines and transmissions, spare parts, and accessories (Section 6).
The Act provides that its prohibitions apply only to motor vehicles registered under the Act or seeking to benefit from any exemption or privilege under the Act (Section 16).

Core definitions for key terms

“Authentic Spare Part” means a replacement part identical in appearance and function to an original component installed in the vehicle or in vehicles in the same model line at the time of manufacture, including chassis/monocoque shell and subframe replacements of the same pattern as the original, including parts from the manufacturer’s stock intended for later servicing/repair (Section 4(a)).
“Concours” (including “Concours D’ Elegance”) means a vintage vehicle whose condition is for exhibition or contest (Section 4(b)).
“Automobile Lineage Brand” means the original manufacturer’s name or latest brand name as a result of corporate merger or acquisition (Section 4(c)).
“Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle designed to carry passengers or goods, expressly including automobiles, pick-up trucks, vans, sports utility vehicles, Asian utility vehicles, and motorcycles; a trailer/caravan or other towed vehicle is deemed a motor vehicle for purposes of the Act (Section 4(d)).
“Original components” are parts (including motor, chassis, gearbox) originally installed by the manufacturer at the time of production (Section 4(e)).
“RESTOMOD” means a vintage car restored but modified with modern parts and technology (Section 4(f)).
“Spare parts” means component parts, sub-assemblies, or complete assemblies identical to or interchangeable with original components of a vintage vehicle, and accessories permitted to be installed under Section 12 (Section 4(g)).
“Vintage vehicle” means a motor vehicle at least forty (40) years old reckoned from the date of manufacture whose chassis, engine, steering assembly, and suspension assembly are either original or authentic, and whose body has not been altered in general appearance, subject to exceptions under Section 12; it excludes replicas and reproductions (Section 4(h)).

Exemption from modern standards; required safety

Vintage vehicles registered under the Act are exempt from requirements to meet clean-air, anti-pollution, safety, road-use, and other standards that were not in force at the time of manufacture, including as conditions for registration/use on public roads, notwithstanding Republic Act No. 8749 (“Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999”) and any other law or regulation (Section 5).
Vintage vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1967 must be fitted with safety belts as mandated by Republic Act No. 8750 (“Seat Belts Use Act of 1999”) (Section 5).

Importation and exportation rules

Vintage vehicles of all covered types (concours, RESTOMOD, for repair/restoration) and associated items (authentic components, original or replica body shells, engines and transmissions, spare parts and accessories) may be imported into the Philippines by any person or entity (Section 6).
A vintage vehicle may be exported without restriction, subject to a cultural heritage preservation limitation (Section 7).
Exportation of vintage vehicles with historical significance to the country—such as vehicles of Presidents of the Philippines, certified by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in accordance with rules and guidelines—is prohibited except for repair or restoration abroad authorized by the NHCP (Section 7).

Customs valuation distinctions

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) must differentiate for valuation of imported vintage vehicles for tariffs, import duties, and other taxes among concours, RESTOMOD, and for restoration vintage vehicles (Section 8).
Restoration mode/for restoration must have a lower valuation than concours for the same make and model of vintage vehicle (Section 8).
For this purpose, a restoration vintage vehicle means a vintage vehicle—whether containing important parts such as engine, transmissions, chassis, and body or just the body shell—that is for further modification or restoration in the Philippines (Section 8).

Fiscal and tax incentives eligibility

Restoration shops and companies in the business of importation of vintage vehicles for restoration in the Philippines and for export of the same are eligible to avail themselves of fiscal and tax incentives under Republic Act No. 11534 (“An Act Reforming the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives System…”) and other applicable laws (Section 9).
Such restoration shops and companies must comply with all legal requirements for availment of fiscal and tax incentives (Section 9).

Right-hand drive vehicles

The prohibition on importation, registration, and use of right-hand drive vehicles does not apply to vintage vehicles manufactured on or before December 31, 1970, or to vintage vehicles intended principally for racing or other motorsport (Section 10).

Historically correct condition standard

A vintage vehicle registered or otherwise benefiting under the Act must be preserved and maintained in a historically correct condition within the meaning of the Act and subject to Section 12 (Section 11).
Historically correct condition requires that:
- its chassis, engine, steering, and suspension are not replaced or modified except with original or authentic components; and
- its body has not been changed in general appearance (Section 11(a)-(b)).

Permitted modifications for vintage vehicles

The Act permits modifications that fall under the following categories (Section 12):
- Modifications of a type demonstrably made when the vintage vehicle was in production or within ten (10) years of the end of production (Section 12(a)).
- Modifications to brakes, suspension, axles, and running gear to improve efficiency or safety (Section 12(b)).
- Use of carburetors or fuel injection systems not original to the vintage vehicle to improve efficiency, economy, or environmental performance (Section 12(c)).
- Installation of a new, modern engine of the same brand or manufacture and of the same general specification as the original engine for the vintage vehicle or vehicles in the same historic model line or automobile lineage brand (Section 12(d)).
- Installation of after-market accessories/equipment such as radios, air-conditioning, and directional lights to permit convenient or safe use (Section 12(e)).

Limited use and prohibited employment

A vintage vehicle imported after effectivity of the Act, or registered under the Act, or otherwise benefiting under the Act may be used only for personal purposes and/or leisure driving (Section 13(a)-(c)).
A vintage vehicle is prohibited from use for commercial purposes, except for motion pictures, advertisements, pictorials, weddings, and motorcades (Section 13).
A vintage vehicle is prohibited from being used as a public utility vehicle or for commercial transport of persons or goods (Section 13).

Registration requirements, term, and exceptions

All vintage vehicles imported after effectivity of the Act or benefiting from any exemption or privilege must be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to benefit under the Act (Section 14).
Registration is valid for three (3) years, and the LTO may provide a longer validity (Section 14).
For vintage vehicles not regularly used, on permanent exhibit, or in museums, the LTO must provide a system for onsite registration where the vintage vehicle is parked or exhibited and may impose additional fees for this purpose (Section 14).
For vintage vehicles on permanent exhibit or in museums, registration with the LTO is optional for the owner or museum if the vehicle is no longer in running condition (Section 14).

License plates requirements

The LTO must issue license plates to each registered vintage vehicle containing the words “vintage vehicle” plus the usual letters and numerals (Section 15).
The model year or year of manufacture must be indicated on an appropriate part of the plate (Section 15).

Applicability of prohibitions to non-registered vehicles

The Act’s prohibitions apply only to motor vehicles registered under the Act or those seeking to benefit from any exemption or privilege under the Act (Section 16).
Motor vehicles not registered under the Act or not seeking benefits remain subject to general motor-vehicle registration and use laws, including air emission, safety, roadworthiness, and other standards (Section 16).

Inspection and ongoing safety oversight

Vintage vehicles applying for registration or registration renewal must undergo inspection consistent with Sections 11 and 12 (Section 17).
For vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1975, inspection must also comply with minimum safety and roadworthiness guidelines established by the LTO in consultation with stakeholders (Section 17).
The safety inspection standards for vintage vehicles registered under the Act must not exceed or become more stringent than those in force at the year the vehicle was manufactured (Section 17).
The LTO must conduct random inspections of registered vintage vehicles on public roads and highways for public safety and responsible ownership (Section 17).

Lost papers registration process

A vintage vehicle lacking a certificate of registration, official receipt of registration payment, or other evidence of ownership/registration may be registered under the Act if the applicant submits the required documents and satisfies payment (Section 18(a)).
The applicant must submit a notarized affidavit stating the applicant is the owner, is in possession of the vehicle, knows of no claim on the vehicle, and describes how the applicant acquired the vehicle (Section 18(a)(1)).
The applicant must secure a clearance from the relevant police agency stating there is no record of the vehicle having been stolen (Section 18(a)(2)).
The applicant must pay the LTO a one-time reconstitution fee of PHP 10,000.00 in addition to regular registration fees and charges (Section 18(a)(3)).
The LTO must publish a notice of the application in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the applicant’s expense and must post on the LTO website within three (3) days from receipt of a complete application, describing the vehicle and stating the applicant applied for registration (Section 18(b)).
If no objection or third-party claim is received within three (3) months from the date of publication, the LTO must register the vehicle as a vintage vehicle under the Act (Section 18(b)).
Registration of the vintage vehicle under this process is without prejudice to rights of persons who may claim ownership under applicable laws (Section 18(b)).
The date of manufacture for vehicles with lost, incomplete, or inconsistent papers may be ascertained through the car manufacturer or assistance of vintage car associations/interest groups (Section 18(c)).
If the exact date cannot be ascertained, registration papers and the LTO database must indicate that the “date of manufacture is not available but has been estimated by [name of authority/association]” (Section 18(c)).

Vintage database, education, and sharing

The LTO must establish and maintain a national database listing and describing vintage vehicles in the country and share it with the NHCP for purposes of Section 7 (Section 19(a)).
The LTO must include in its database authorized and licensed companies/shops engaged in repairing/restoring vintage vehicles or manufacturing spare/replacement parts, plus private sector associations/interest groups and relevant government agencies, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, to strengthen skills and technological development opportunities and programs (Section 19(b)).
The LTO must promote and encourage conscientious, correct, and safe maintenance of vintage vehicles through consistent information and education campaigns and other means (Section 19(c)).

Implementing rules and stakeholder participation

The LTO must formulate and issue necessary rules and regulations for effective and speedy implementation after public hearings and consultation with concerned sectors, including at least five (5) vintage vehicle owners or representatives from owners’ groups/associations (Section 20(a)).
The LTO must issue the implementing rules within sixty (60) days of the Act’s effectivity (Section 20(a)).
The LTO must consult vintage vehicle owners or representatives in developing other relevant policies and issuances (Section 20(a)).
Draft issuances or policies must also be circulated electronically via email and other social media channels for meaningful stakeholder engagement, especially owners, collectors, restorers, mechanics, and enthusiasts (Section 20(a)).

Separability, repeal, and effectivity

If any provision of the Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the parts not affected remain in full force and effect (Section 21).
All inconsistent laws, orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances—or parts thereof—are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly (Section 22).
The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation (Section 23).