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The single ticketing system for driving violations in the National Capital Region has been approved by the Metro Manila Council
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The system will be enforced starting first quarter of 2023
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Mayors of Metro Manila, meeting as the council, approved the new ticketing system on February 1
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The council adopted the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 under MMDA Resolution No. 23-02, which provides for a system of interconnectivity among government units involved in transport and traffic management in the metropolis with harmonized fines and penalties
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Standardized fines and penalties will be endorsed to the Land Transportation Office and local councils for adoption
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved on February 1 a single ticketing system for driving violations in the National Capital Region under which their driver’s license won’t be confiscated.
NCR mayors, who make up the MMC, adopted the single ticketing system by approving the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, which provides for interconnectivity of government units involved in transport and traffic management and empowered to impose harmonized fines and penalties.
MMC is the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and includes the mayors of Metro Manila.
The standardized fines and penalties will be endorsed to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and local councils of Metro Manila’s towns and cities for adoption.
Based on MMDA Resolution No. 23-02, the single ticketing system “will harmonize the existing national and local laws on traffic enforcement to establish effective transport and traffic management in Metro Manila.”
The resolution said the single ticketing system will help address different procedures of apprehension, payment of fines, redemption of licenses and plates, as well as uncoordinated enforcement of traffic laws resulting in confusion of the driving public, loss of money and productive hours.
MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes in a statement said the single ticketing system will give apprehended motorists convenience as they can now pay for their traffic violations wherever they are, regardless of the city where they have been caught.
“This is a historic moment for all of us because after more than 20 years, Metro Manila is finally adopting the single ticketing system that will highly benefit our motorists,” he said.
“The single ticketing system would help avoid confusion among our driving public, as well as [offer them an] option to pay electronically for their violations. Driver’s licenses will also not be confiscated during apprehension,” Artes added.
The MMDA official had said earlier that the single ticketing system will resolve some issues raised in the no-contact apprehension policy petition that is pending in the Supreme Court, as well as the issue of confiscating an erring driver’s license.
MMC president and San Juan City mayor Francis Zamora, meanwhile, said that the single ticketing system would be in effect within the first quarter of 2023.
“The Metro Manila LGUs [local government units] will have to pass their respective ordinances adapting the Metro Manila Traffic Code 2023 on or before March 15 to fully implement the single ticketing system,” Zamora said.
The Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, which will serve as the guideline for implementing the system, listed the most common traffic violations that will be penalized uniformly by all Metro Manila local government units. They are:
- Disregarding traffic signs
- Illegal parking (attended and unattended)
- Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number coding
- Truck ban
- Light truck ban
- Reckless driving
- Unregistered motor vehicle
- Driving without license
- Tricycle ban
- Obstruction
- Dress code for motorcycle
- Overloading
- Defective motorcycle accessories
- Unauthorized modification
- Arrogance/discourteous conduct (of driver)
- Loading and unloading in prohibited zones
- Illegal counterflow
- Overspeeding
The MMTC has a provision for the interconnectivity requirements with the LTO’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).
It was also agreed upon that the MMDA will provide the funds for purchasing the hardware and IT requirements for a seamless and simultaneous rollout of the LGUs’ integration with the LTMS.
The LGUs will likewise enact ordinances that will adapt standardized fines for the identified common traffic violations and a separate ordinance for traffic-related offenses not stated in the traffic code.
The final draft of the MMTC was approved by officials of MMDA and LTO, as well as Metro Manila local traffic enforcement heads on January 19.
