Good news? Deadline for use of Temporary Plate, Improvised Plate is December 31, 2024
We all know the guidelines for the use of either a temporary plate or an improvised plate for our motor vehicles and motorcycles, right? This whole issue stems from the fact that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) came down with a license plate backlog. Whether it be for the new black and white plates or new plates for newly purchased vehicles or motorcycles, the agency came out with guidelines on how and when to use them. However, seeing as they’ve seemingly caught up with production and distribution, the use of either plate will be allowed only until the end of this year.
December 31, 2024 set as deadline for the use of Temporary Plates, Improvised Plates
Photo: Land Transportation Office
Earlier this year, the LTO issued a memorandum circular against the use of improvised and temporary plates after an initial investigation revealed that registered owners of vehicles, especially those who have newly purchased units, are not claiming their license plates from their vehicle dealerships. The original deadline for those using either a temporary or improvised plate was set on September 1, 2024. It has, however, been extended to the last day of the year, December 31, 2024. Past this date, the prohibition of their use will take effect.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II believes that this should not be an excuse for motor vehicle owners who have already available license plates to install them in their motor vehicles, though. “We ask the motorists to claim and install their respective license plates as soon as they are available either in the car dealerships and replacement plates in our offices,” Mendoza said.
To-date, thousands of license plates have still been unclaimed from various motor vehicle dealerships. In a meeting with car dealers last month, they said that clients have still not claimed their plates despite sending them repeated messages. Mendoza added that the installation of license plates is also a part of the LTO’s contribution towards crime prevention, especially since some vehicles are being used in criminal activities.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
Further speaking in defense of the deadline, Mendoza said, “Wala na pong backlog sa mga [There’s no longer a backlog for] four-wheel vehicles so there is no reason for these vehicle owners not to claim and install them in their vehicles. Ang natitira na lamang pong backlog ay mga plaka sa mga motorsiklo at ito po ay ang focus namin ngayon [All that’s left is the backlog for motorcycle plates which is now our focus] in compliance with the directive from President Marcos to address all the backlog on license plates by June next year.”
Deadline notwithstanding, Mendoza committed that the efforts to “aggressively come up with measures to deliver all the unclaimed license plates to the rightful owners” will not wane, and as it stands, he has already instructed the LTO Regional Directors and District Office heads to coordinate with the local government units for the distribution of the license plates.
Have you gotten your plate yet? Or for any of you who are still waiting for them, have you received notice from the LTO or your dealership that they’re already available for claiming?
