We are all aware of the Republika ng Walang Plaka predicament. The LTO has been finding ways to address the situation and given the likelihood of running out of a blank plate supply, the agency has just revealed how the “official” look and format of the Improvised/Temporary for motor vehicles.
The LTO says that this is what your car should have in the absence of a license plate
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Photo: Land Transportation Office
Under Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2400, the image you see above lays down the rules that will govern the use of improvised or temporary plates 10 for motor vehicles, from cars to motorcycles. This is also in line with Section 17 of Republic Act No. 4136 and to ensure that all motor vehicles can be identifiable while official plates have yet to be given out. The plates for specific circumstances are shown below.
New Registration with Assigned Plate
Photo: Land Transportation Office
In the case of newly purchased vehicles that already has an assigned plate in the LTO’s system, the Conduction Sticker numbers and letters will be printed on the makeshift plate with the words “Temporary Plate” clearly indicated.
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New Registration without Assigned Plate
Photo: Land Transportation Office
For a newly purchased vehicle without an assigned plate, to be able to at least drive them home without an actual plate, the overall look is almost the same as that with an assigned plate, except that it now has “Registered” and the MV File Number printed on the plate.
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Previously Registered Without Assigned Plate
Photo: Land Transportation Office
This will most likely apply to those who were supposed to have been issued new plates but have yet to receive them; a problem that sparked the whole Republika ng Walang Plaka controversy. It will clearly indicate that the vehicle using this plate has been “Registered” and the word “Rebuilt” will be added to the lower right portion of the plate.
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Electric Vehicle with Assigned Plate
Photo: Land Transportation Office
In line with Electric Vehicles’ exemption from the Coding Scheme, this will help enforcers identify these specific types of vehicles with the addition of the word “Electric” on the lower right-hand corner of the plate.
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Hybrid Vehicle with Assigned Plate
Photo: Land Transportation Office
The same as that of an Electric Vehicle, a Hybrid Vehicle will also have an identifying marker on its plate; this time, the word “Hybrid”.
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Vintage Vehicle with Assigned Plate
Photo: Land Transportation Office
The passing of the Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act into law calls for the ready identification of such vehicles. For vehicles that are considered Vintage, the year of its manufacturing as well as “Vintage” will be printed on its plate.
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Improvised MV Plate for Lost/Mutilated Plate
Photo: Land Transportation Office
It’s a motor vehicle owner’s responsibility to request a replacement should the car’s existing plates already be lost or damaged. Many know that filing for a lost plate should be done, but not too many pay mind to the fact that they should also file for damaged plates. In either case, the words “Improvised Plate” will indicate that the motor vehicle has already filed a request for new plates.
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So now we know the LTO’s official specs and format for the Improvised or Temporary License Plates for motor vehicles with more than 4 wheels. It’s information like this from the LTO really should be properly disseminated and followed for the public’s benefit, and so we say that sharing is caring.
Given the LTO‘s release of an official timeline for the release of license plates 17, should your dealership not be able to comply, at least you know how your vehicle’s plates should look for the time being. And oh, don’t forget that you can also report dealerships to the LTO if your plates still aren’t with you but should already be.
And if you’re wondering about improvised or temporary license plates for motorcycles, there’s a guide for that as well, and you can find it here.
Thanks, LTO!
