LTO: Use of temporary, improvised license plates needs proper authorization

MANILA: Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Jay Art Tugade pointed out that it is against the law to produce or print vehicle license plates without authorization from the agency.

As the supply of license plates is about to run out, Tugade provided clarification regarding the claim that the LTO is allowing do-it-yourself (DIY) license plates.

Tugade stated that it is against the law to print one's own license plate, especially if they do not adhere to the LTO's standards or specifications, particularly in the security aspect.

“Ang general rule po ay bawal po mag-print ng sariling plate number. Tanging mga dealer lamang po ang pinapayagang mag-issue ng temporary plate para maiuwi ang mga bagong sasakyan dahil mayroon tayong ‘no plate, no travel’ policy (The general rule is that you are not allowed to print your own plate number. Only dealers are allowed to issue temporary plates so buyers can drive new vehicles home because we have a ‘no plate, no travel’ policy),” Tugade said.

Temporary license plates are issued for new vehicles in compliance with the memorandum, which has been in effect since 2017.

Temporary license plates indicate the conduction sticker number for four-wheeled motor vehicles and the file number for motorcycles.

The temporary license plates also adhere to specifications for the type of material to be used, the design and layout, and the font of the letters.

Improvised license plates can be used in the event that the vehicle's license plate is damaged, lost, or stolen. However, in order to use an improvised license plate, the vehicle owner must first notify and receive approval from the LTO.

For improvised license plates, the LTO recommends putting the word “Lost Plate” instead of using the original or official plate design.

“Kailangan ding dalhin ng may-ari ng sasakyan ang kanyang Official Receipt at Certificate of Registration upang sakaling masita ng mga law enforcer sa posibleng paglabag sa batas-trapiko ay mayroong maipapakitang dokumento. Itong paggawa ng improvised license plates ay masasabing exception sa general rule na bawal gumawa ng sariling plaka pero dapat ay nasusunod ang panuntunan ng LTO hinggil dito (The owner of the vehicle must also bring their Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration so that in case law enforcers see a possible violation of the traffic law, there is a document that can be shown. The making of improvised license plates can be considered an exception to the general rule that it is prohibited to print one's own license plate but the LTO's rule regarding this must be followed),” Tugade added.

Anyone who uses an improvised license plate without the required approval from the LTO violates Section II (e) of Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01. This corresponds to a P5,000 fine and the confiscation of the improvised license plate.

“Kung 'yung plaka po ninyo ay ninakaw o may sira na dahil sa katagalan ay huhulihin po kayo. Para po maiwasan ito ay kinakailangan lang pumunta sa opisina ng LTO para magpagawa ng duplicate plate at para na rin ma-apply ng authorization to use improvised plate (If your license plate is stolen or has been damaged for a long time, you will be apprehended. To avoid this, it is necessary to go to the LTO to have a duplicate plate made and also to apply for authorization to use improvised plate),” Tugade stated.

Photo from Land Transportation Office

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