RSS Feeds: Vehicle Registration and Liability Insurance Renewal – I Almost Forgot About It
Yesterday was the last day I could renew my vehicle registration without being penalized. I renewed it at the last minute, so to speak, along with my liability insurance. I almost forgot about it, and I would have, had my wife not called and reminded me to get it taken care of.
Confused About Renewal Dates
It's easy to forget about renewal dates for anything. Why should my vehicle registration be any different? In this case, it was easy to be confused because the actual expiration date for the registration wasn't on the form and it isn't on the car. I bought my Toyota Corolla Altis at the end of June in 2006, along with the comprehensive and liability insurance. I received the plates and stickers just after the July 4th weekend.
It doesn't work the same way in the Philippines as it does in the US. I received three stickers (for a three-year registration), for the years of 2006 through 2008, but the stickers signify the beginning years, not the ending years. The date the stickers expire is the last day of the month corresponding with the last number on the license plate and in my case, that's a 4. As an aside, I also can't drive in Manila on whatever day corresponds with 4 by their system — I think it's Tuesday (1 and 2 for Monday, 3 and 4 for Tuesday, etc.), but I could be wrong. It doesn't matter because I rarely go to Manila.
I let the comprehensive insurance lapse in 2007 because I don't drive enough to justify paying for it, but the liability insurance is both required by law and a good idea. My initial coverage was for three years, just like the vehicle registration.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and LTO Assistance
It just so happens that one of the employees of the LTO lives down the hill from me. She rode with me on the way to the office. It's a good thing, too, because I was headed to the office downtown and the place I needed to go was the other office in the Kalaklan barangay. It was much closer and easier to get to as well.
I had to get a smog test. I have a little over 6,000 kilometers on the odometer and I tried to avoid it, but it's required for all vehicles. It really wasn't a big deal and only cost P400 (a little over USD $8.00). The total cost of the vehicle registration and liability insurance for one year, along with the smog test, came out to about P5520 (about USD $115.00). Compare that with similar costs in the US and you can see that it's a bargain.
The insurance didn't actually expire until July 4, but what the heck. I saved myself from making another trip (and possibly forgetting again) in June. My wife is supposed to return to the Philippines in June, so I'll have other things on my mind.
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Why do vehicles need to be registered every year in the Philippines?
Here in India, once you register your vehicle, you keep it forever. There's no re-registrations.
Of course, we need to renew insurance, get a pollution certificate etc., but no re-registrations here.
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India must be one of the unique countries in that regard. In both the US and the Philippines (a former US colony), registration renewal is required. This is what pays for the roads here.
In the UK we have the car tax which pays for the roads. The poorly maintained roads…..
the reason why we have to re register here in the philippines is because THIS IS THE SECOND MOST CORRUPT COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. all the government can do is to think of ways to take money from the people. i guess their motto is "KEEP THE POOR PEOPLE POOR".
Of course, we need to renew registration and get a pollution checkup strategy but maximum time we forget it, and thanks for sharing information.
It's easy to forget for all of us. The last thing I want to receive in the mail is a letter saying my insurance has lapsed or canceled. I wish I could renew every 3 years here, that would be better than annually.
I have a friend living in the Philipines and he has told me the same thing. Europe is very different also I have heard with car registration. Bottom line it is just a back-door tax for the government to collect.
Wow. It would be nice if we only had to register once every three years here in the States like you do in the Philippines, but it still sounds fairly confusing with the dates you're not allowed to drive and such.
Dan
It depends on the state. In Arizona, I could register for 1 or 2 years at a time.
"I almost forgot about it, and I would have, had my wife not called and reminded me to get it taken care of"
LOL, what would we do without wives to remind us. Seriously, I wouldn't get anything done on time if it wasn't for Ana.
Todd
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I hate renewing registrations, but I am usually good about keeping up with what needs to be renewed and when.
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Am I weird for sitting around worrying what I might be forgetting? There are too many taxes and regulations. How am I supposed to do my job when I have to constantly figure out what all those are and worry about it?
Texas makes it easy to remember your registration. If you get stopped for any reason, they check online and verify insurance coverage. If you don't have current insurance, you get towed or towed and arrested. I won't forget mine!
I always forget about that until I get pulled over and the police reminds me. Which has happened a few times over the years.