LTO 7 Clarifies Confusion on the Use of Temporary Plates

The buzz around the use of temporary plates has been a mix of confusion and frustration among riders in the country.

With the supply of official plates seen to decrease this year, Land of Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Arthur Tugade clarified that the directive of Do-it-Yourself temporary plates is still in effect.

According to Tugade, the law is clear that DIY plates are not allowed if they don’t follow the official template of LTO.

“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 DIY plate numbers are illegal. Only the dealers are allowed to issue temporary plate for the owner to bring home their new vehicle because we have a “no plate, no travel” policy,” Tugade said.

In a Facebook post by Victor Caindec, the LTO 7 Regional Director, he clarified that temporary plates are still allowed if their temporary license plates follow the guidelines.

“Dili mo MADAKPAN bisan ug wala pa inyong plaka kung mo subay ra sa balaod (You will not be apprehend even if you don’t have your plate (LTO issued license plate) if you follow the law),” Caindec said in his Facebook post.

He emphasized that the vehicle should be registered from the LTO and renewed yearly.

He also added that the temporary plate should be provided by the dealer or where the vehicle is bought.

“Ang kining TEMPORARY PLATE, ang DEALER ang mobuhat ana samtang wala pa inyong plaka. Usabon nako, subay lang sa template, ug siguroha nga rehistrado ang motor or sakyanan, WALAY MADAKPAN (The temporary plate should be provided by the dealer while you official license plate is still not present. Just follow the template and make sure that your motorcycle and vehicles are registered, no one will be apprehended,” Caindec said. (ASC)

Here is the official LTO template for temporary plates: