LTO Plans Nationwide E-Bike and E-Trike Ban, Impounding of Motorcyles with Loud Mufflers

Land Transportation Office (LTO) plans to ban e-bikes and e-trikes on major highways nationwide while clearing the roads of motorcycles with loud, modified mufflers.

LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the agency wants to implement a nationwide ban once the current restrictions on major Metro Manila roads prove successful. This expansion follows a move by local police in areas like General Santos City, where dozens of motorcycles were impounded for using "bora-bora" exhausts during the holiday season. The crackdown is no longer just for EDSA, C-5 Road, Roxas Boulevard, Quirino Avenue, and Magallanes–South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), as new roads like Commonwealth Avenue and Quezon Avenue are now officially included in the prohibited list for all light electric vehicles.

Lacanilao explained that the agency will move toward nationwide implementation after the ban on major roads proves successful. "Initially, ito una then after a few days mag-eexpand kami," he said during a recent interview.

(Initially, this will be the first phase, and after a few days, we shall be expanding.)

Also read: E-bikes, E-trikes Ban in Metro Manila Starts Jan. 2 with Mandatory Impounding

Commonwealth and Quezon Avenue added to e-bike and e-trike ban list

If you use an e-bike or an e-trike for your daily travel, you need to check your route immediately. LTO has added several big roads to the list where these vehicles are now banned. These thoroughfares include Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway, and Sumulong Highway.

Enforcers are also moving into inner roads to stop drivers from trying to bypass these checkpoints. If a driver is caught without a licence, or if the e-bike or e-trike is not registered, LTO will impound the vehicle on the spot. Lacanilao warned the public that enforcement will become "stricter and stricter" in the coming days. "So starting this coming week, may makikita na rin po kayong mai-impound," he added.

(So, starting this coming week, you shall also begin to see vehicles being impounded.)

Modified muffler penalties and automatic impounding rules

Image credit: Motopinas

The crackdown is not just about vehicle types, but also about the noise they make. Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) data showed that from 25 December to 31 December 31 2025, up to 57 motorcycles were issued citation tickets and impounded in General Santos City for using prohibited open-pipe mufflers. TEU-GSCPO Chief, Lt. Col. Patrich Elma, said the campaign is a response to the heavy volume of noise complaints.

“'Yung campaign natin sa mga muffler no. Pino-focus-an din natin yan para ma-prevent natin ang dami ng reklamo regarding diyan so ito po ang ginagawa natin, generally as preventive measure ng General Santos Police Office,” Elma said.

(Our campaign regarding exhaust pipes: we are focusing on that to prevent the high volume of complaints regarding the matter; so this is what we are doing, generally as a preventative measure by the General Santos Police Office.)

Recently, TikToker Khlevin Devahhh captured the public’s frustration in a blunt clip that has already garnered over 80,000 likes.

Image credit: Screencaps from a video by Khlevin_Devahhh | Tiktok

"Oh ayan ha, tapos na ang bagong taon. So, yung mga punyetang tambutso na yan... ipasusubo ko sa'nyo yan, ha!" the content creator remarked, reflecting the sentiment of many residents who have long complained about "bora-bora" mufflers disrupting their sleep.

(There you go, the New Year is over. So, those bloody [noisy] exhaust pipes... I’m going to make you shove them down your throats, alright!)

LTO is now making this a priority across other regions. To get an impounded motorcycle back, you must pay a fine and bring a standard muffler to the impound lot. Owners are required to change the exhaust back to the original version on-site before authorities will release the vehicle.

LTO traffic fines for light electric vehicles and noisy motorcycle violations

Drivers caught using e-bikes or e-trikes on restricted national highways face a minimum fine of ₱1,000 for obstruction of traffic. LTO said they are becoming stricter every day and will no longer just issue warnings to those who break the law.

While many e-bike and e-trike owners are worried about their daily commute and income, LTO says these vehicles are too slow for fast-moving national roads. The goal is to make sure all road users are registered and follow the same safety rules to prevent accidents. Lacanilao clarified that his main target is larger violators, but admitted that "may mga matitigas talaga ang ulo" among the smaller vehicle users.

As LTO prepares to take these rules nationwide, the simplest way to stay safe is to keep e-bikes and e-trikes on small barangay roads. For motorcycle riders, it is best to stick to the original muffler that came with the bike. Following these rules is the only way to avoid the high cost of getting a vehicle out of the impound lot.

Featured image credit: chan68900791 | X