LTO releases clear guide for Improvised or Temporary License Plates for motorcycles

Along with the LTO’s release of guidelines for motor vehicles’ (4 wheels and above) improvised or temporary license plates 163, it has likewise shared one for motorcycles as well. Much like the one for cars, there will be a prescribed format for these plates if official license plates have not or cannot be issued to the motorcycle’s owner.

Motorcycles must comply with the LTO format for Improvised or Temporary plates

Lto Improvised Plate Temporary Plate Car Motor Vehicles Memorandum Circular No. Jmt 2023 2400 Inline 01 Min

Photo: Land Transportation Office

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 rules that will govern the use of Improvised or Temporary License Plates are seen in the photo above. Samples of each plate, conforming to specific circumstances and criteria, can be seen above, and as indicated in Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2400.

New Registration with Assigned Plate

Lto Improvised Plate Temporary Plate Motorcycle Memorandum Circular No. Jmt 2023 2400 Inline 01 Min

Photo: Land Transportation Office

If a brand new motorcycle’s information is already in the LTO’s database, and if there’s already a plate assigned to it, its temporary license plate should look exactly as you see in the image above. The actual letter and numbers of its plate will be printed with the words “Registered” and “Temporary Plate” on the top and bottom of the plate, respectively, as well.

New Registration without Assigned Plate

Lto Improvised Plate Temporary Plate Motorcycle Memorandum Circular No. Jmt 2023 2400 Inline 02 Min

Photo: Land Transportation Office

In case there is no plate assigned to the motorcycle yet, its MV File Number will have to be printed out on the Temporary License Plate. The dealership will likewise be indicated on the plate’s lower right-hand side.

Previously Registered Without Assigned Plate

Lto Improvised Plate Temporary Plate Motorcycle Memorandum Circular No. Jmt 2023 2400 Inline 03 Min

Photo: Land Transportation Office

If the motorcycle is already registered with the LTO but still has no plate number assigned to it, then it follows that the MV File Number will again be printed on the Temporary Plate. This time, though, the dealership will no longer be indicated.

Electric Motorcycle/TWV with Assigned Plate

Lto Improvised Plate Temporary Plate Motorcycle Memorandum Circular No. Jmt 2023 2400 Inline 04 Min

Photo: Land Transportation Office

Yes, there are electric motorcycles that exist and they do have to be registered with the LTO, depending on their classification 35. For this type of motorcycle, the main indicator is the word “Electric” printed on the top portion of the plate, above its actual assigned plate numbers and letters.

You can also check out our guide for that in this link 134.

Vintage Motorcycle with Assigned Plate

Lto Improvised Plate Temporary Plate Motorcycle Memorandum Circular No. Jmt 2023 2400 Inline 05 Min

Photo: Land Transportation Office

The Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act – now a Law – 25 also applies to vintage motorcycles. As such, they are to be given a special plate that indicates such. The word “Vintage” on the top right portion of the plate will be its clear identifying mark.

Improvised MC Plate for Lost/Mutilated Plate

Lto Improvised Plate Temporary Plate Motorcycle Memorandum Circular No. Jmt 2023 2400 Inline 06 Min

Photo: Land Transportation Office

For lost or damaged plates, of course, the motorcycle must seek a replacement from the LTO. Once that has been done, the plate that you see above will have to be used until the new pair of plates can be issued.

All this should be easy enough to follow, yes? In case your dealership does not meet these specifics, or does not meet the LTO’s proper timeline for the release of your license plates (AKA bought before this plate shortage but still no plates given), you can refer to this link 163 to know what to do. Some dealerships have already been fined 23, so yes, you can report these instances to the authorities.

Okay, LTO. Now we guess it’s up to the dealerships to comply with these guidelines. We hope they’re made aware of these, too.

Mikko Juangco
4 Comments
  1. Kung ireretouch ko yung color green sa old motorcycle green plate number ko pwede ba yun o bawal sa guidelines ng LTO?

    • I’ve got a motorcycle since 2016 whereas until now has no plate number issued. I had 2 temporary plates with the LTO required format.

      Now, another change in format and yet no plate or even an assigned number for the vehicle. This remedial over the geniuses of another genius in the agency shall cycle until it comes late to register in people’s mind.

      Now, let me see with the next numbers…who can shake ’em trees?

  2. May I Ask
    Kung magpapagawa Ba Ako Ng Temporary Or Improvised Plates It is still Required Na Kumuha Ako Ng authorizationfrom LTO .?? Or Its Okay na Hndi na But E Follow Lang Ang format Ng Plates

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