DOTC sets higher fines for erring drivers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has approved the imposition of higher fines and stiffer penalties on erring motorists as part of the government’s heightened campaign against traffic violators.

Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, the revised schedule of fines and penalties for violations of laws, rules and regulations governing land transportation, will take effect on June 19.

The order doubles the fine for driving without a valid driver’s license or conductor’s permit from P1,500 to P3,000.

Those who fail to carry a driver’s license as well as certificate of registration and official receipt would have to pay a fine of P1,000.

The fine for driving a motor vehicle used in the commission of a crime, upon conviction by a regular court, or the commission of a crime in the course of apprehension more than tripled to P10,000 from P3,000.

For reckless driving, the DOTC approved a fine of P2,000 (up from P1,000) and a three-month suspension of the driver’s license for the first offense; P3,000 (up from P1,500) and a six-month suspension for the second offense; and P10,000 (up from P5,000) and the revocation of the driver’s license on subsequent offenses.

Those who submit fake documents when applying for a driver’s license will be fined P3,000 instead of P2,000.

Those who fail to wear seatbelts will be fined P3,000, up from P250, while those who fail to wear standard motorcycle helmets will be fined P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 on the second, P5,000 on the third and P10,000 for the fourth and succeeding offenses.

Other traffic violations such as illegal parking, disregarding traffic signs, driving against traffic, taking an illegal turn, illegal overtaking, cutting an overtaken vehicle, overtaking upon a curve, increasing speed while being overtaken, among others now carry a fine of P1,000.

The order also approved the imposition of a prohibitive fine of up to P1 million for colorum buses and P50,000 for colorum jeepneys.