ILOILO CITY—The Land Transportation Office–Region VI has issued a reminder to motorists—especially campers, bikers, and travelers using roof racks—to ensure their vehicle accessories are properly registered to avoid penalties on the road.

LTO-6 Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II said motorists may face a P5,000 fine if they use an unregistered roof rack, stressing that the requirement falls under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Under the law, roof racks and similar accessories are considered vehicle modifications and must be registered with the LTO unless they are already part of the vehicle’s original design. Roof racks become legal only when officially declared as part of the vehicle’s Top Load Accessory or Top Load Capacity during the annual registration process.

Registration fees range from P100 to P200, depending on the classification.

The LTO emphasized that regulating top loads is crucial for road safety, as unapproved or improperly installed roof racks can affect a vehicle’s stability and potentially lead to accidents.