How temporary license plates are supposed to look like, according to LTO

Expect a whole new wave of vehicles to come with temporary plates once again. PHOTO BY SAM SURLA

Do you remember when the Land Transportation Office said that we were not allowed to make our own plates in the midst of the license-plate shortage?

While there have been basic guidelines on how dealerships can use the conduction sticker number (and other information) as a temporary license plate, the number of improper plates fitted to cars everywhere has run rampant.

While alternative plates like this look aesthetically pleasing, they aren't the proper format. PHOTO BY SAM SURLA

This is why the LTO has released memorandum JMT-2023-2400 to provide guidelines on using improvised or temporary motor vehicle plates dated May 22, which was recently signed into law on May 30.

Electric and hybrid vehicles will get their own special plates to help enforcers identify them. PHOTO BY SAM SURLA

Compared to before, these new guidelines are much more in-depth and account for the different kinds of vehicles and various-use cases, whether private, government or diplomatic.

And yes, they also take into account if the vehicle is a hybrid or electric car for easier identification—as well as vintage vehicles—via color-coded fonts.

Here is a quick guide:

• Private vehicles – black font
• Government vehicles – red font
• PUVs/taxis – yellow font
• Diplomatic vehicles – blue font
• Hybrid/electric vehicles – green font

For lost or damaged plate numbers. ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE

For a bit of a refresher, improvised plates are used while the vehicle owner is waiting for the replacement of a lost or damaged plate number.

These can only be used with authorization or a permit from an LTO district or extension branch, and will only be valid until the replacement plate is available. These will have the words “Improvised Plate” below the assigned number.

For previously registered vehicles still without an assigned plate number. ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE

For vehicle owners who didn’t have an assigned plate number before the order was signed, you will have to use your conduction sticker or MV file number and indicate that it is a temporary plate.

For new vehicles without an assigned plate number. ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE

For temporary plates issued by dealerships for new vehicles, the memorandum takes two different scenarios into account.

If the vehicle still does not have an assigned plate number, the conduction sticker number or MV file number will be used, just like before.

For new vehicles with an assigned plate number. ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE

But if the vehicle does have an assigned plate number, it should be present alongside the indicator of a Temporary Plate.

For hybrid or electric vehicles. ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE

And for electric or hybrid vehicles (yes, including motorcycles or three-wheelers), the designation of “Electric” or “Hybrid” must be printed on the plate, alongside the aforementioned green font color.

For vintage vehicles. ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE

Finally, vintage vehicles will follow the same format. Apart from having “Temporary Plate,” it must also indicate the vehicle’s production year, alongside “Vintage.”

With these clearly defined rules, we hope that the usage of improper temporary plates decreases dramatically, and we also hope that the LTO resolves its plate shortage before everyone has to resort to using temporary plates in the near future.