Newly signed law reduces penalties for motorcycle riders
President Marcos has signed into law a measure that lowers the penalties for certain violations committed by motorcycle owners by amending parts of Republic Act No. 11235, or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.
Republic Act No. 12209, which was signed by the President on May 9 and posted on the Official Gazette on Wednesday, is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2555 and House Bill No. 11113. Both bills sought to reduce fines and remove jail terms for certain violations to make the law less “discriminatory” against motorcycle riders who follow government regulations.
Under RA 12209, a dealer, original owner, or new owner of a motorcycle who fails to comply with registration requirements will pay a P5,000 fine—lower than the original penalties of a P20,000 to P50,000 fine under the old law plus a prison term ranging from one month to six years and one day.
Driving without a number plate or readable number plate is now punishable with a P5,000 fine, down from the previous P50,000 to P100,000.
Penalties reduced
Failure to report the loss, damage, or theft of a number plate within 72 hours will mean a fine of P5,000, compared to the previous P20,000 to P50,000.
Erasing, tampering, altering, forging, imitating, covering or concealing a number plate or using a tampered one is punishable with a fine of P10,000 in addition to imprisonment of six months and one day or up to two years.
RA 11235 originally mandated a prison term of six years and one day to 12 years on top of a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000.
Using a stolen number plate now carries a fine of less than P20,000, a reduction from the old penalties of imprisonment of six years and one day to up to 12 years and a fine of P50,000 to P100,000.
New number plates
Motorcycle owners whose number plates do not conform with the provisions of RA 12209 should renew their registration and apply for the required readable number plate before the end of the year.
Under the new law, the new number plates should be bigger, readable, color-coded and follow the font style and size to be prescribed in the implementing rules and regulations.
The data on the number plates should also be readable at least 15 meters from the back of the motorcycle.
The Land Transportation Office was given until June 30, 2026 to produce, release and issue the new number plates.
