Still don’t want to install your LTO license plates? Pay a PHP 5K penalty
Many are still waiting for their new license plates from the LTO. Yes, there are those who’ve already gotten theirs while some have yet to claim theirs, but having the new plates aside, another problem has (again) caught the eyes of the Land Transportation Office, and this is in line with motor vehicle owners not installing their vehicles’ license plates. Let this be your reminder that if you’re caught plate-less, that’s going to cost you.
LTO reminds motor vehicle owners to install their license plates
Photo: Land Transportation Office
We’d have thought that those who waited a long time for their new vehicle license plates from the LTO would be excited to install them, right? Apparently not so. The agency seems to have come to an observation – following reports – that some vehicle owners are simply refusing to install their plates even after being released and claimed.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II has cited Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines which clearly indicates that improper or non-installment of vehicle license plates comes with an accompanying fine.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
“Sa pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa PNP [Working together with PNP], through their HPG, and even in our own operations, we discovered that some motor vehicles are deliberately ignoring that responsibility ,” said Asec Mendoza.
“Hindi po souvenir items and mga plaka, dapat ikabit po ito sa ating mga motorsiklo at mga sasakyan as soon as na-release na ito ng mga [License plates are not souvenirs, they must be installed on our motorcycles and vehicles as soon as they are released by] car dealers at the LTO. Meron pong penalty kapag hindi po ito nasunod ayon sa batas [According to the law, this has a penalty]” he added.
The amount of the said penalty: PHP 5,000.00USD 85INR 7,374EUR 82CNY 621
It not unknown nor new that the LTO has been facing problems with license plate production and delivery since 2014. However, Mendoza did say that the backlog for four-wheel motor vehicles has long been addressed and that the backlog for motorcycle license plates is expected to be cleared on or before July this year.
On the conscious decision of not installing license plates, Mendoza again emphasized, “Meron po kaming database ng mga palakng na-release na at magbabayad po kayo ng PHP 5,000USD 85INR 7,374EUR 82CNY 621 na penalty kapag napatunayan na tinamad or talagang wala kayong balak na ikabit ang mga plakang na-release na sa inyo [We have a database of plates that have been released and if we prove that you are lazy or intentionally are not installing it, you will pay the PHP 5,000USD 85INR 7,374EUR 82CNY 621 penalty].”
So, whether or not you have the “common” or personalized LTO plates, be reminded that there’s no valid reason not to have them installed on your motor vehicle. At this rate, everyone knows that PHP 5K is not easy to come by, so if you can avoid having to be penalized, then you might as well follow the directive. After all, it is the law.
