Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade directed the LTO to defer the implementation of a memorandum directing all its regional offices to adopt the mandatory private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs) testing until the issue on the geographic areas of responsibility (GAOR) is resolved.

Tugade also directed the LTO to conduct an immediate and exhaustive review of the policy as well as maintain the previous registration process where motorists can choose between a PMVIC and a private emission testing center (PETC) for the required vehicle inspection.

He highlighted the need for a smoother and more efficient manner of implementation of the GAOR policy, while also taking into consideration the current COVID-19 situation which hampers the required vehicle registration process.

In order to keep our roads safe, Tugade said better standards to check the roadworthiness of vehicles must be put in place.

With regard to the scope of inspection, PMVICs conduct 72-point full roadworthiness test for vehicles, including emission test, unlike in PETCs, where only the smoke emission is being tested, and not road worthiness.

In order to not impose any additional fee on vehicle owners, the DOTr was able to convince PMVIC owners to lower their inspection rate from P1,500 to P600 for light vehicles, and P500 for motorcycles, which are similar to rates collected by a PETC. Reinspection or retest fees were likewise waived.

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