Ever been surprised by an apprehending traffic officer with a violation you haven’t heard of? Every motorist, at least once in his lifetime has been apprehended by a traffic officer. Sometimes, you are surprised by the apprehending officer with a “new” or improvised traffic violation, or at times it might be something real that you just haven’t heard of. Knowing the violations might save you money and trouble.

There are also some instances of wrong apprehensions, like the very popular ‘driving without license’ violation. Do not allow the apprehending officer to get away with this, when you really have a license but did not bring it, this would only mean a failure to carry a driver’s license when operating motor vehicle with a fine of 150 pesos compared to 750 pesos for driving without license.

Be calm and polite when confronted by a traffic officer. Shouting or yelling at them can also get you in trouble. There is a violation called “Arrogance or discourtesy towards a traffic officer” which will incur a 150 peso fine.

If you are driving a car be sure to bring along with you your spare tire, as failure to do so will also result in a violation with a fine of 150 pesos.

Bring along your early warning device or buy one if you don’t have one yet. This will save you 100 bucks and another 300 pesos if your car needs a little roadside repairs.

Last but not least, please do remember to fasten your safety belts or be ready to pay 300 or even a 1000 pesos fine. Don’t forget that using your mobile phone, be it calling, answering a call, or texting is also a violation of the law unless you have a hands free kit installed. Texting is still not permitted even with the installation of a hands free kit since texting cannot be done hands free.

Listed below are the traffic violations with corresponding penalties and subject of violation.

PRICES MAY VARY AS THEY SAY ON TV

A. Violations related to licensing

Violations            Penalties             Subject

1              Driving without license P 750.00                Driver

2              Driving with delinquent, invalid. suspended, ineffectual, revoked or improper license    P 300.00               Driver

3

Failure to show or surrender driver’s license for cause upon due demand by person with authority to confiscate.             P 150.00 Driver

Failure to carry driver’s license when Operating motor vehicle.  P 150.00               Driver

Failure to sign driver’s license     P 150.00               Driver

4              Driving while under the influence of Liquor or prohibited drug    P 2,000.00            Driver

Driver

Driver

For the 2nd offense,      Fine plus 1 year Suspension

Subsequent violation     Revocation of driver’s license

5              Allowing an unlicensed/improperly licensed person to drive MV               P 750.00               Owner/Operator

6              Possession and use of fake driver’s license. If the driver has been issued an authentic license, the same shall be confiscated and suspended for 6 months in addition to the fine.

If the driver has not been issued an authentic license, he shall not be qualified to secure driver’s license for a period of six (6) months in addition to the fine             P 1500.00             Driver

7              Allowing another person to use his driver’s license – confiscation and suspension for one (1) month       P 500.00                Driver

8              Use and involvement of MV by the driver in the commission of a crime-in case of court conviction, automatic revocation of driver’s license.    P 1500.00             Driver

9              Student Driver operating a MV without being accompanied by a licensed driver.               P 200.00               Student Driver

B. Violations related to registration.

11           Operating a MV which is unregistered/improperly registered delinquent or with invalid registration. If driver is also the Owner, MV shall be impounded until Properly registered     P 450.00

P 450.00 Driver

Owner

12           Operating MV with unregistered substitute or replacement engine, engine block or chassis, change color, change body or configuration. In addition, MV shall be properly impounded until such parts are properly registered.      P 500.00                Owner

13           Failure to carry in the MV the Certificate of Registration (CR) and Official Receipt (OR) (original or Photocopies)  P 150.00 Owner

14           Operating/allowing the operation of MV with a suspended/revoked Certificate of Registration,                P 450.00

MV impounded or its plates held during period of suspension / Revocation

15           Tourist Operating a non-Philippine registered MV beyond 90 day period of his sojourn. P 1500.00

MV shall not be allowed to operate until properly registered.     Tourist

C. Violations relating to number plates and stickers.

16           MV number plates not firmly attached and visible. Dirty or uncared for plates.

Inconspicuously displaced plates in front and rear. NO STICKER showing current Registration       P 150.00               Driver

17           License plates different from body Operator number on Public Utility Vehicle     P 450.00               Owner

18           Improper display of MV plates by owner (permanent) plates to accommodate a better display of commemorative/other plates.  P 500.00               Owner

19           Display of expired commemorative/other plates              P 200.00               Owner

20           Tampered/Marked plates/stickers          P 300.00               Owner

21           a. Illegal transfer and use of MV plates/tags or stickers from one MV to another except security plates on authorized vehicle Owner/Operator are conclusively presumed to have caused or permit such illegal transfer and liable to fine.

Driver of MV involved in illegal transfer of plates 1 month suspension of driver’s license.

P 7500.00 Driver

Owner

b. If MV is used and involved in commission of a crime,  P 10000.00

Penalty plus motor vehicle impounded.                Driver/Owner

D. Violations relative to equipment, parts, accessories, devices and marking of a motor vehicle

22           Operating MV with metallic tires on any public highway,

Defective brakes,

Improper/defective horn or signaling device,

Unnecessary lights visible in front of vehicle,

Missing or defective headlights/taillights,

Missing or red rear lights at both/each, side visible at least 100m. from vehicle,

Missing or defective plate light,

Missing or defective brake lights,

Missing or defective wiper on the windshield,

Missing cut/disconnected muffler.          P 150.00 each     Driver

23           Dirty/unsightly or dilapidated MV. In addition, confiscation of plates until defects are corrected P 150.00                Owner/Operator

24           Failure to paint or improper painting of authorized route or painting of unauthorized route of PUJ            P 375.00 Owner/Operator

25           Non-painting of business or trade name.              P 150.00

Confiscation of plates until defects are corrected. Owner

26           a. Use of unauthorized improvised plates

b. Use of improvised plates to make MV appear as for hire. P 150.00

P 1,500.00 Owner

27           a. Dirty and/or unsanitary defective unit

b. Without/defective hand brakes

c. Without or defective speedometer or tachometer

d. Defective or broken windshield

e. Without or defective windshield wiper

f. Without rear view mirror

g. Without interior light P 150.00               Owner/Operator

28           Without name or business name and address inscribed on both sides of MV used for public services. P 150.00

Confiscation of plates until proper markings are made. Owner/Operator

29           Without spare tire           P 150.00               Owner/Operator

30           Unauthorized bell sirens or exhausts whistle on emergency.       P 150.00

Said gadgets shall be confiscated. Owner/Operator

31           Without red flag or red lights on projecting end of load extending more than a meter beyond the bed or body and in the evening, red lights visible at least 50 meters away                P 150.00               Driver

32           Failure to paint appropriate body number on a MV for hire on both sides              P 375.00               Owner/Operator

33           a. Failure to carry EWD

b. Failure to install EWD 4 meters away to the front and rear of the stalled/disabled MV. P 100.00

P 300.00 Driver

Driver

34           Without capacity markings           P 150.00               Owner/Operator

35           Failure to wear safety belt while operating motor vehicle or while riding on front passenger seat              P 1000.00

P 300.00               Owner/Operator

36           Without permanent tail gauge or failure to put “NOT FOR HIRE” sign in a private jeepney/jitney P 300.00                Owner

E. Violations relative to weights and load limits.

37           Load extending beyond projected width without permit               200.00   Driver

38           a. Operating MV with wheel axle, or axle group loads in excess of the limits in Sec. 9, RA 4136 or any regulation without permit.                P 150.00 Driver

b. Operating MV with total weight of cargo carrying device on passenger truck including cargo exceeding 100 kilos. P 150.00                Driver

c. Allowing more passengers and/or more freight or cargo in his vehicle more than the registered carrying capacity.         P 150.00   Driver (If PUV, imposed upon Conductor)

d. Baggage or freight carried on top of truck exceeds 20 kilos per sq. meter and not distributed in such a manner as not to endanger the passenger or stability of the truck. P 150.00             Driver/Conductor

F. Violations relative to frauds and falsities

39           Use of invalid/ delinquent/ suspended/ revoked/ fake license, identification card or permit.       P 1000.00 to

P 3000.000           Driver

40           Fake CR, OR, plates, tags or stickers/spurious documents             P 1000.00 to

P 3000.000           Owner/Operator

41           Misrepresenting a copy of a document before the Traffic Adjudication Service   P 1000.00             Owner/Operator/

Driver

G. Violations related to parking and drivers

42           Parking within an intersection

Parking on a crosswalk

Parking within 5 m. of the intersection of the intersection of curb lines

Parking within 4 m. of the driveway entrance to any fire station

Parking within 4 m. of a fire hydrant

Parking in front of a private highway

Parking on the roadway side of any unmoving or parked at the curb or edge of the highway

Parking at any place where official signs of prohibition have been erected

Allowing a passenger on top or cover of vehicle

Allowing a passenger to ride on running board, step board or

mudguard of MV while it is in motion

Disregarding traffic signs

Failure to use helmet while driving/riding a motorcycle P 150.00 each Driver

43           Reckless Driving

– 1st Offense

– 2nd Offense and suspension of Driver’s License

– 3rd Offense and revocation of Driver’s License

P 150.00

P 750.00

P 1000.00             Driver

44           Arrogance or Discourtesy P 150.00 Driver

45           Failure to dim headlights              P 150.00               Driver

46           Driving in slippers or sleeveless shirt       P 100.00               Driver

47           Driving in a place not for traffic or parking in a place not for parking

Failure to give way to police or fire department vehicle or ambulance

Hitching or permitting a person on a bicycle or roller skates to hitch

to the vehicl.      P 100.00               Driver

H. Traffic Violations

48           Illegal turn           P 150.00               Driver

49           Driving against traffic/counterflow           P 2000.00             Driver

50           Illegal overtaking              P 150.00               Driver

51           Overtaking at an unsafe distance              P 150.00               Driver

52           Cutting an overtaken vehicle      P 150.00               Driver

53           Failure to give way to an overtaking vehicle         P 150.00               Driver

54           Increasing speed when being overtaken P 150.00             Driver

55           Overtaking when left side is not visible or clear  P 150.00               Driver

56           Overtaking on a crest or grade   P 150.00               Driver

57           Overtaking on a curve    P 150.00               Driver

58           Overtaking at a railway grade crossing    P 150.00               Driver

59           Overtaking at an intersection     P 150.00               Driver

60           Overtaking between “Men Working” or “Caution” signs                P 150.00               Driver

61           Failure to yield to the right of way            P 150.00               Driver

62           Failure to come to a complete stop at a through street   P 150.00               Driver

63           Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop intersection              P 150.00               Driver

64           Failure to give proper turn/stop signals  P 150.00               Driver

65           Illegal right turn                P 150.00               Driver

66           Illegal left turn   P 150.00               Driver

67           Failure to stop motor vehicle and apply handbrake when unattended    P 150.00               Driver

68           Causing an obstruction to traffic                P 150.00 Drive

Manila Driving

First off – traffic jams 24/7, Secondly, the public learns how to deal with the constant traffic….by MAKING it move – at ALL costs.

3 lanes become 5. Driving on the opposing lanes.

Using shoulders. every inch of road used. Road lanes and traffic lights were a mere serving suggestion and if you stopped at a red, and no traffic was coming on the perpendicular lanes, you get HONKED for NOT running the red light.

Horns are used like gas pedals, people honk just to let you know they are coming beside you, or behind you, anytime they CAN honk – they do.

And people cut each other off, forcing you into shoulders and you just have to deal with it.

And it’s like this ALL the time – every car mere inches from each other – you can literally stick your arm out the window and touch the other cars. You begin to have a real appreciation for the way everyone in N. America obediently obeys signs, lights and lanes, and keeps our space.

But in Manila, they drive that way, because that’s the only way the traffic will move, and they’ve adapted so well to the conditions that everything works like clockwork and I don’t know what more to say except – traffic jams MOVE!!!

* pedestrians literally run and dodge cars, cars do not slow down for pedestrians

* even the dogs have gotten quite skilled at crossing streets and dodging cars.

No accidents, no road rage – no matter how badly someone cut you off nobody waves a finger or a hand, or gives so much as a look. Cars do not have dents/scratches on them. People have learned to adapt perfectly to a much heightened state of road manner and alertness, that they have become really good at it.