Accidents and traffic stops

Since traffic accidents are common in the Philippines, it pays to be prepared for such an event. Due to the relatively low speeds of traffic movement, most accidents are minor. However, if you have a cell phone, it is a good idea to carry it in your vehicle. You should have a copy of your car’s registration, official receipt and auto insurance policy in the glove compartment. Also, you may want to keep a list of emergency phone numbers in the glove compartment. In all cases, police officers are prohibited from charging or requesting fees for any services.



What to do in the event of an accident:

1. Stop immediately and determine whether anyone has been hurt. If someone is injured, help take him/her to a hospital or call an ambulance.

2. Take all possible precautions to prevent additional accidents by stationing persons to direct traffic and clear the road of any debris.

3. If the other parties involved in the accident become hostile or accusatory, give them your name, phone number and business card and ask them to call you when they are calmer so you can work out the details.

4. If you feel at risk or threatened by the section of town where the accident took place, travel to the nearest police station or inform the nearest police officer. Philippine accident investigation procedures require the driver of an involved vehicle to report to the local police station to give a statement. Expect this request and cooperate if all parties are amicable.

5. Carry a photocopy of your Philippine Driver’s License and surrender this to the police. Do not give up your original license. This is often lost at the station and you’ll never get it back.

6. Be sure to obtain complete information about the other party – name, address, driver’s license number, license number of the vehicle and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle if other than the driver.

7. Do not express opinions about the accident except to the appropriate officials. Do not admit fault or liability.

8. Notify your insurance agent of the accident.


If you are given a traffic ticket, it should be in one of two forms: a Traffic Violation Ticket or a Temporary Operating Permit (if your license has been confiscated). If you receive a Traffic Violation ticket, the procedure for paying the fine is as follows:

1. Present your original TVR to the designated redemption center. If the yellow copy has not yet been submitted by the apprehending officer, your TVR will be given an extension of up to one week for you to return to represent your TVR.

2. Your assessment will be given to you.


3. If your penalty is a fine and you admit the violation you will be directed to the collector or cashier to pay the fine.

4. Present your official receipt to the Data Processing Section.

5. Wait for your name to be called for your license to be released.

This process should take about one hour but you may experience significant delays.

If you receive a Temporary Operator’s Permit after your license is confiscated, the following procedure applies:

1. Go to the LTO or agency 72 hours from the time of apprehension (this is the validity period of the TOP). There are times when the apprehending officer cannot, for some reason, submit the copy to that LTO office or agency during the time allotted, in which case you would be given an extension not to exceed one week.

2. Go to the Law Enforcement Section where a case number will be given to you.

3. Use this case number to identify yourself at the Traffic Adjudication Section.

4. If you admit to the violation, you will be ordered to pay a fine.

5. If you contest the validity of the violation, the apprehending officer will receive a subpoena for a confrontation with you before a Traffic Adjudication Section lawyer within one week.

6. If admitting to the violation, pay the fine. You should receive an official receipt.

7. After paying the fine, your license should be returned.