Navigating the streets of the Philippines often comes with the risk of traffic citations. Whether it is a minor swerving incident or a "No Contact Apprehension" (NCAP) catch, understanding the legal timeframe for settlement and the available payment methods is crucial to avoiding heavier penalties, such as the suspension of your driver’s license.

1. The General Rule: How Long Do You Have to Pay?

In the Philippines, the grace period for paying a traffic fine depends largely on the issuing authority. Generally, you have five (5) to fifteen (15) days from the date of issuance to settle the fine or contest the violation.

MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority): Violations issued by the MMDA typically have a 7-day window for payment from the date the ticket (Unified Ordinance Violation Receipt or UOVR) was issued.
LTO (Land Transportation Office): For tickets issued directly by LTO officers, the period is usually 15 days. Failure to settle within this timeframe leads to an "alarm" on your record, preventing you from renewing your license or vehicle registration.
LGUs (Local Government Units): Cities like Makati, Quezon City, and Manila have their own local ordinances. Most follow a 5 to 10-day rule. It is vital to check the back of the physical ticket, as the specific deadline and "place of payment" are usually printed there.

Note: If you are caught via No Contact Apprehension (NCAP), the countdown usually begins from the day you receive the official notice via registered mail, not the date of the violation.

2. Can You Pay Your Traffic Ticket Online?

Yes. The Philippine government has significantly digitized its payment systems over the last few years. However, the platform you use depends on who issued the ticket.

A. For MMDA Tickets

The MMDA offers several digital avenues:

Landbank Link.BizPortal: You can pay via the Landbank website using your ATM account or other participating banks.
GCash & Maya: These apps often have "MMDA" listed under the "Government" biller category. You will need the Reference Number found on your ticket.

B. For LTO Violations (LTMS Portal)

The Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) is the primary online portal for LTO-related matters.

Log in to the LTMS Portal.
Navigate to the "Violations" section.
If the violation is uploaded, you can pay directly using credit/debit cards, GCash, or Maya.

C. For Local Government (LGU) Tickets

Many major cities have integrated their own online payment gateways:

Quezon City: via the QC Services website.
Manila: via the Go Manila app/website.
Makati: via the Makati Online Payments portal.

3. What Happens If You Don’t Pay on Time?

Ignoring a traffic ticket in the Philippines does not make it go away; it compounds the problem through:

Surcharges and Interests: Most LGUs and the MMDA apply a monthly surcharge (often around 5%) for late payments.
License/Registration Alarms: The violation will be uploaded to the LTO's central database. You will be unable to renew your driver’s license or your car’s registration until the "alarm" is cleared.
Hold on NBI Clearance: In some extreme cases of multiple unpaid violations, it may even affect your ability to get an NBI clearance, as it could be flagged as an outstanding legal obligation.

4. Summary Table: Payment Quick-Guide

Issuing Agency	Typical Deadline	Primary Online Method
MMDA	7 Days	GCash, Maya, Landbank Link.Biz
LTO	15 Days	LTMS Portal
Manila LGU	10 Days	Go Manila App / Website
Quezon City LGU	5-10 Days	QC E-Services Portal

Final Advice

Always keep a digital or physical copy of your Official Receipt (OR) after paying online. While the systems are automated, there are occasional delays in "clearing" the alarm in the LTO database. Having your receipt ready is your best defense during your next license renewal.

Would you like me to look up the specific online payment portal for a particular city in the Philippines?