27/11/2025
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𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐑𝐒, 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐅 𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 ₱𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐈𝐅 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐋𝐓𝐎-𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃
For road trippers, campers, bikers, and anyone who loves hitting the open road with extra gear, a roof rack is your ultimate adventure partner. But before you strap in that luggage or pop up that rooftop tent, Land Transportation Office–Region VI (LTO-6) Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II is issuing a reminder: aftermarket roof racks must be registered with the LTO — or motorists risk a hefty ₱5,000 fine.
Under Republic Act 4136, (The Land Transportation and Traffic Code), unregistered vehicle accessories are a violation, and many drivers don’t realize their beloved roof racks fall under that category. So, before you load up for your next big adventure, here’s what you need to know:
🧭 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝑹𝒐𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓
Roof racks carry everything from bikes and surfboards to luggage and camping gear. They free up cabin space, help protect your vehicle interior, and make long trips easier and more fun. But they also add height, weight, and drag—factors that affect your vehicle’s performance and safety.
🔎 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒘: 𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑻𝒐𝒑 𝑳𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒕
Roof racks are legal, but only if registered.
Required: Any aftermarket rack not originally included in the vehicle’s design
Register As: “Top Load Accessory” or “Top Load Capacity”
Where: Any LTO regional office or district office
When: During your annual vehicle registration, or anytime you visit an LTO office for an additional permit
Cost: About ₱100–₱200
Exempt From Registration: Factory-installed roof rails (e.g., Fortuner, Montero, Everest)
Weekend-use, detachable bike racks
𝑩𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒎 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆: 𝑰𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒗𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆’𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏 — 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝑻𝑶 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕.
⚠️ 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕: 𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔
LTO regulates top loads because even simple accessories can change how your vehicle behaves on the road. Follow these safety tips:
Stay within weight limits: Max 20 kg per square meter on the roof rack
Secure everything tightly: No dangling, shifting, or obstructing your view
Watch your height: Avoid hitting low clearances and unintended toll class upgrades
Remove temporary racks when not in use: Saves fuel, reduces wind drag, and improves handling
🛣️ 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆
Before your next road trip, make sure your setup is legal, secure, and LTO-approved. Register your roof rack, follow safety guidelines, and enjoy all the freedom your adventures demand—minus the fines and risks.
𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒚.
