diff --git a/backend/auth/passenger/register.php b/backend/auth/passenger/register.php
index fb0f7de..90ffe43 100644
--- a/backend/auth/passenger/register.php
+++ b/backend/auth/passenger/register.php
@@ -77,12 +77,13 @@ try {
     // (مهلة أوسع من صلاحية الرمز نفسه [5 دقائق] لإعطاء وقت كافٍ لإكمال
     // نموذج التسجيل بعد التحقق مباشرة).
     $step = 4.5;
+    $otpSearchKey = otpPhoneKey($phoneNumber);
     $verifyCheckStmt = $con->prepare(
         "SELECT id FROM phone_verification_passenger
          WHERE phone_number = ? AND verified = 1 AND created_at > DATE_SUB(NOW(), INTERVAL 30 MINUTE)
          LIMIT 1"
     );
-    $verifyCheckStmt->execute([$phoneNumber_encrypted]);
+    $verifyCheckStmt->execute([$otpSearchKey]);
     if ($verifyCheckStmt->rowCount() === 0) {
         error_log("$logTag Step 4.5 Error: Phone number not verified via OTP.");
         jsonError("Phone number must be verified before registration.");