Towing and Impounding FAQ 

(Updated April 10, 2017)

1. What are the different kinds of tow trucks recognized by MMDA?

There are 2 kinds of tow trucks in MMDA ---

a) MMDA Road Emergency Group tow trucks – these are only allowed to tow
stalled vehicles involved in accidents. The services of these trucks are free of
charge.

b) MMDA-accredited tow trucks. To check the list of MMDA accredited towing

companies, please refer to this link: http://mmda.gov.ph/index.php/20-faq/1596-
mmda-registered-towing-services

2. Under which situations can MMDA trucks tow vehicles?

Tow trucks can only tow the following vehicles ---

a) stalled vehicles;

b) illegally parked vehicles; and

c) vehicles involved in accidents.

3.   Where does MMDA bring the towed vehicles?

 ULTRA Impounding Area along Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas, Pasig City
 Tumana, Marikina City 

4.   How does MMDA define stalled vehicles and illegally parked vehicles?

A stalled vehicle is a vehicle, which, for any cause (engine trouble, empty fuel
tank, flat tire, among others) is unable to proceed under its own motive power on a
public road, street or thoroughfare in Metro Manila.

An illegally-parked vehicle refers to one which is parked in areas prohibited by

existing law or ordinance for parking purposes or those designated by the MMDA and/or
the local government units (LGUs) as NO PARKING areas or zones. The following are
two (2) types of illegally-parked vehicles:
“Attended illegally parked vehicle” is an illegally parked vehicle whose driver is
present or would appear at any time prior to the actual clamping to the tow truck and
who is willing and able to move out the illegally parked vehicle without delay.

“Unattended illegally parked vehicle” is an illegally parked vehicle which does not
fall under the definition of attended illegally parked vehicle.

5.   Which areas are prohibited for parking?

1.   All national roads in Metro Manila.

2.   Primary and secondary roads of cities and municipalities in Metro Manila that
are:

a. Within six (6) meters of any intersection or curved lane;

b. Within four (4) meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station,

hospital, clinic and other similar establishment; 4

c. Within four (4) meters of fire hydrants;

d. On the roadside of any legally parked vehicle;

e. On pedestrian crosswalks;

f. In front of any authorized driveway;

g. On the sidewalks, paths and alleys not intended for parking;

h. At the foot or near bridges;

i. At any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking
and/or declared NO PARKING ZONE by the MMDA such as the Mabuhay
Lanes. See attached link for reference:

https://www.facebook.com/MMDAPH/posts/967756373263025;

j. Other areas duly declared as “NO PARKING ZONE” provided by law or

ordinances.
6. What’s the towing process for illegally parked vehicles?

If attended by a driver, illegally parked vehicles will NOT be towed but a ticket
shall be issued by a traffic constable (or deputized HPG).

If the vehicle is unattended, the tow truck driver shall blow the truck's horn five (5)
times to alert the owner, then another five (5) times after one minute. If the driver does
not respond up by then, the vehicle shall be towed and issued a ticket at the
impounding area.

7. What should I do if my vehicle is stalled due to a flat tire?

Flat-tired vehicles must be moved to the emergency lane on its own, otherwise it
will be towed. In either case, a TVR will be issued. Changing of flat tires on the roadway
is not allowed.

8. What if my vehicle is stalled due to an empty fuel tank?

Stalled or illegally parked vehicles as a result of empty fuel tank may be towed to
the nearest gasoline station. However, a towing fee will be paid to the tow truck in
accordance with the number of kilometers from the point of origin to the gasoline
station. A TVR shall also be issued to the driver.

9. What if my vehicle is stalled due to engine trouble?

Stalled or illegally parked vehicles as a result of engine trouble shall be towed if it

cannot move on its own or if the driver refuses to move it. A TVR shall likewise be
issued to the driver.

10. What is the process of towing an unattended vehicle?

If the vehicle is unattended, the tow truck driver shall blow the truck's horn five (5)
times to alert the owner, then another five (5) times after one minute. If the owner does
not respond, the vehicle will be towed. A notice shall be left/entrusted to any traffic
officer on duty at the site, or to any responsible person who can give the notice to the
owner. The impounding area where the said vehicle shall be towed and impounded
should likewise be indicated.

11. Are the towing crew allowed to board an attended vehicle?

This is NOT allowed. If this happens when the driver is present, this must be
taken note of and reported as a violation to the MMDA (136).
12. How much is the violation and towing fee?

Any driver who shall illegally park his motor vehicle on any public road, street or
thoroughfare in Metro Manila shall pay a fine of FIVE HUNDRED (P500.00) PESOS.

In addition, a standard towing fee shall be collected by both government and

private entities subject to the following rates:

 Light vehicles (weighing less than 4,500 kgs) – P 1500 for the first 4 km

 Medium vehicles (weighing between 4501 kg and 7500 kg) – P 2500 for the first
4 km

 Heavy vehicles (weighing 7501 kg and above) P 4500 for the first 4 km

In all cases, P 200 shall be charged per kilometer on top of the base fee
measured from place of towing to the impounding area.

13. Who will be responsible for any damage/s obtained by the vehicle during the
towing?

Take note that before the actual towing, the tow truck crew shall issue a
Technical Inspection Report indicating the name of the owner, vehicle’s plate number,
type and color, including the accessories thereof, and a description of the vehicle’s
condition. The towing company/agency shall be held responsible for losses/damages
incurred while towing the vehicle.

14. How do I know if my towing service is accredited by MMDA?

MMDA and those accredited towing services adhere to a strict protocol as

mentioned in the procedures above. Motorists must make sure that the tow truck crew
are wearing the prescribed uniforms and clearly display their ID cards. If unsure, they
may call 136 or check
https://www.facebook.com/MMDAPH/posts/967756373263025 for the list of accredited
towing services.

MMDA is rigorous and thorough in its screening and accreditation of towing

companies to ensure that motorists are properly responded to.

For any complaints, motorists can report to the MMDA Facebook or Twitter page.
For urgent matters, kindly call hotline 136.
Source: www.mmda.gov.ph

Road Classification
1. National Primary – Directly connects Major Cities (at least around 100,000 people)
Cities within Metropolitan Areas are not covered by the criteria

2. National Secondary

a. Directly connects Cities to National Primary Roads, except in Metropolitan

Area

b. Directly connects Major Ports and Ferry Terminals to National Primary Road

c. Directly connects Major Airports to National Primary Road

d. Directly connects Tourist Service Centers to National Primary Roads or other

e. Directly connects Cities (not included in the category of Major Cities)

f. Directly connects Provincial Capitals within the same Region

g. Directly connects to Major National Government Infrastructure to National

Primary
h. Roads or Other National Secondary Roads

3. National Tertiary – Other existing roads under DPWH which perform a local function

4. Provincial Roads (Local Roads)

a. Connect Cities and Municipalities without traversing National Roads

b. Connect National Roads to Barangays through rural areas

c. Connect to Major Provincial Government Infrastructure

5. Municipal and City Roads (Local Roads)

a. Roads within the Poblacion

b. Roads that connect to Provincial and National Road

c. Roads that provide Inter-Barangay connections to Major Municipal and

d. City Infrastructure without traversing Provincial Roads

6. Barangay Roads (Local Roads) – Other Public Roads (officially turned over) within
the Barangay and not covered in the above definitions.

7. Expressways – Highways with limited access, normally with interchanges; may

include facilities for levying tolls for passage in an open or closed system.

8. Bypasses – Roads or highways that avoid a built-up area, town or city proper to let
through traffic flow without interference from local traffic reduce congestion and improve
road safety where a toll for passage is levied in an open or closed system.

Source: www.psa.gov.ph
Know Your Rights When Your Car Gets Towed by the MMDA

Getting your car towed is a hassle, but getting it impounded and retrieving it back can be a
nightmare. Make sure you know what you can do (and what the government can do) when this
situation happens to you.

Your “Rights”

Attended Vehicles

A car is “attended” if you are there when your car gets towed, or you would appear at any time
before the actual clamping to the tow truck pulling your car away. You are also willing  to move
out the illegally parked vehicle without delay.

1. If your car gets towed due to an accident, you have the right to say no if MMDA’s  Road
Emergency tow truck is asking for payment.

MMDA Road Emergency tow trucks are only allowed to tow cars that are involved in accidents.
They are free of charge.

2. You have the right to ask for the proper identification of a towing truck, and refuse their
services in case they can’t provide the proper ID cards and their company’s prescribed
uniforms.

3. You have the right to ask for a ticket issued by a traffic constable only.

MMDA only allows a traffic constable (or deputized HPG) to issue a Traffic Violation Receipt
(TVR).

4. You have the right not to allow a towing crew to board your car when you are present.

If they keep on insisting, then you  have the right to report this violation to the MMDA.

5. You have the right to say no to a towing truck if it’s not included in the list of MMDA
accredited towing companies.

6. You have the right to ask for a Technical Inspection Report that indicates the following:

 Name of the owner

 Vehicle’s plate number

 Type and color

 Accessories

 Description of the vehicle’s condition

7. You have the right to file a case against a towing truck crew if damages or losses occur while
your vehicle is being towed.

Unattended Vehicles

Your car is “unattended”, when you’re not there when your vehicle is being towed away.

8. You have the right to undergo the proper towing and impounding process as required by the
MMDA:

1.) If the vehicle is unattended, the tow truck driver shall blow the truck’s horn five (5) times to
alert the owner. 2.) The tow truck driver will honk another five (5) times after a minute passes. If
you don’t respond, then your vehicle will be towed. 3.) A notice shall be left/entrusted to any
traffic officer on duty at the site, or to any responsible person who can give the notice to you. 4.)
The impounding area where your vehicle shall be towed and impounded should likewise be
indicated.

9. You have the right to report violations and complaints to report to MMDA’s Facebook or
Twitter page. You can also call hotline 136 for urgent matters.

The Government’s “Rights”

Now that you know your rights, here’s what the government can charge against you:

1. The government has the right to tow your car if you park it on the following areas:

1.) All national roads in Metro Manila

  2.) Primary and secondary roads of cities and municipalities in Metro Manila that are:

 Within six meters of any intersection or curved lane

 Within four meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station, hospital, clinic and other
similar establishment;

 Within four meters of fire hydrants

 On the roadside of any legally parked vehicle

 On pedestrian crosswalks

 In front of any authorized driveway

 On the sidewalks, paths and alleys not intended for parking

 At the foot or near bridges

 At any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking and/or declared “NO
PARKING ZONE” by the MMDA such as the Mabuhay Lanes

 Other areas duly declared as “NO PARKING ZONE” provided by law or ordinances

2. The government has the right to place your towed car in the following locations:

 ULTRA Impounding Area along Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas, Pasig City

 Tumana, Marikina City

3. The government has the right to give you a TVR if your car is “stalled.”

“Stalled” means vehicles that are not moving due to flat tires, empty fuel tank, or engine trouble.

 If your car has a flat tire, you must immediately move it to the emergency lane on its own;
otherwise it will be towed.

 If your car is stalled due to an empty fuel tank, it will be towed to the nearest gasoline
station. However, a towing fee will be paid to the tow truck according to the number of
kilometers your car gets towed (place of origin) up to the gasoline station.

4. The government has the right to ask you to pay a fee for your violations.

How much is the violation and towing fee?

    1.) If you illegally park your motor vehicle on any public road, street or thoroughfare in Metro
Manila you will pay a standard fine of PHP500.

   2.) In addition, a standard towing fee shall be collected by both government and private
companies with the following rates:

 Light vehicles (weighing less than 4,500 kgs) – PHP1500 for the first four km

 Medium vehicles (weighing between 4501 kg and 7500 kg) – PHP2500 for the first four km

 Heavy vehicles (weighing 7501 kg and above) PHP4500 for the first four km

 In any case, you will also be charged PHP200 per kilometer on top of the base fee
measured from the place your car was towed all straight to the impounding area.