How to Prepare for Your Vehicle's Registration Renewal

Every year, or depending on the vehicle and transportation department in your country, you have to visit their office and renew your car's registration. There are certain preparations that you may need to consider prior to renewing your registration. If you are not prepared, you could find yourself at the office for a long time. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your vehicle's registration renewal.

The most important thing to consider is to know when you should renew your vehicle's registration. Here in the Philippines, the deadline for renewing your vehicle's registration will depend on the last 2 digits of your plate number. For example, if you have a plate number of HIJ 789, the last digit, which is 9, means that you have to register your vehicle not later than September of the current year and the middle digit, which is 8, means that it should be no later than the 3^rd week.

As posted on the LTO website (Land Transportation Office - Philippine Transportation Department), if the middle number is 1, 2 or 3, the deadline is on the first week. If it's 4, 5 or 6, it's second week. If it's 7 or 8 then it is for the third week and finally 9 and 0 should be for the fourth week.

After knowing the deadline, make sure you know the requirements. What documents should you present? Usually, they'll ask for your original certificate of registration and your official receipt from the previous year. They may also ask for your insurance documents so make sure you contact your automobile insurance company. Sometimes, they can help you out with your registration.

Vehicle inspection is also a must in some countries. Before you are allowed to renew your registration, your vehicle has to pass certain standards. Here, it is imperative that your car undergo smoke emission testing. They will give you a certificate that your car passed if you prepared well enough. If not, you will be asked to have your car checked at a car shop to reduce carbon dioxide emission. Well, the best preparation for this is to tune up your car. Change the engine oil, oil filter and spark plugs, clean your air intake, etc. They may also check your car's basic functionality such as your signal lights, early warning devices, spare tires, etc. So make sure everything works well. Better yet, ask your mechanic to check everything for you.

I also suggest that you research on the renewal process. Review the procedures so that when you arrive at the office, you'll know where to go. It'll save you a lot of time. Also, make sure you follow the process depending on what type of vehicle you have. Most of the time, the process will be different for private and public local vehicles, import vehicles, motorcycles, heavy duty trucks, tax-free vehicles, etc. Just make sure you have all the necessary requirements. Most of the information can be found online.

Just to reiterate, make sure you know the policies and procedures. This will ensure that you will have a smooth vehicle registration renewal transaction. It will save you a lot of time and it should lessen your worry. We finished our car renewal today and it was done within 40 minutes or so.

Sources:
Land Transportation Office
http://www.lto.gov.ph/