DOTr to establish safety standards, registration rules for e-trikes

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is moving to bring electric tricycles under a comprehensive regulatory regime aimed at improving road safety and ensuring compliance with national standards. Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the initiative during House committee discussions on the agency's 2027 budget allocation, signaling a shift toward formal oversight of the rapidly growing e-trike sector.

Under the proposed framework, electric tricycle operators will be required to meet driver qualification standards and maintain vehicles to prescribed roadworthiness specifications. The regulations will also mandate vehicle registration, bringing informal operators into the formal transport system and establishing a verifiable database of e-trike units and drivers operating nationwide.

The DOTr's push for e-trike regulation reflects growing concerns about safety and compliance in the sector, which has expanded dramatically in recent years with minimal government oversight. Officials have indicated that standardized requirements will help reduce accidents and improve service quality while protecting passengers and other road users.

The specific details of the regulatory framework are expected to be finalized in coming months, with industry stakeholders likely to be consulted during the development process. The implementation timeline and enforcement mechanisms remain subject to further review and congressional approval of the department's proposed budget.