This is how vehicles will be inspected at new private MVICs

Vehicles will soon be tested a lot more thoroughly before being allowed to renew their registration.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently led a walkthrough of a newly opened Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) in Angeles City, Pampanga, showing the process of inspecting vehicles before the renewal of registration. Unlike before, where testing centers just take a smoke emission test of the vehicle, take a photo, and call it a day. This time, the tests are a lot more stringent.

Vehicles (both two and four-wheeled) have to undergo various kinds of tests to ensure their roadworthiness. Of course, all vehicles must also be compliant with emissions standards and must be done before registration renewal. There's no cheating the tests either, as the test results will go straight to the LTO data bank. As a result, it reduces the chance for corruption opportunities to occur.

According to Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, the need of having a PMVIC and ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles can help prevent the occurrence of road-related accidents.

“Yung PMIVC, kailangan talaga. Hindi 'yung modelo ng sasakyan, kundi yung roadworthiness,” said Galvante. [Having PMVIC is needed. Not the year and model of the vehicle, but instead it's roadworthiness.]

So far, the majority of the PMVICs, including the one shown here, are located outside of Metro Manila. Soon, however, the same PMVICs will be operating in Metro Manila. Earlier this year, the LTO announced that they are fast-tracking the opening of 138 inspection centers around the country. These automated testing centers will then replace the emissions centers across the country.