LTO rules on use of temporary vehicle plates remains in effect

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office has reiterated the 2017 memorandum that the requirement of attaching Conduction Stickers (for motor vehicles) or MV File numbers (for motorcycles, used imported, rebuilt motor vehicles and trailers) as temporary license plates in accordance with the instructions and specifications shall remain in full force and effect.

The 2017 memorandum entitled “Conduction Sticker Number as Temporary License Plate Number” was issued by then LTO assistant secretary Edgar Galvante.

Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade, in his memorandum issued on March 22, 2023, also clarified that although at present, the assigned plate numbers have already been pre-determined and indicated in the Certificate of Registration (CR) of the vehicle or the motorcycle, the attached Conduction Sticker or MV File number shall continue serve as the temporary license plate while the registered owner thereof is waiting for the issuance of the assigned physical license plates.

“This memorandum serves as the authority to use temporary license plate in lieu of the indicated plate number in the OR and CR,” Tugade stated adding that the agency is doing its best efforts to address the backlog in the production and issuance of license plates.

Galvante, in his memorandum, cited that pursuant to Republic Act No. 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as amended by Batas Pambansa Bilang 74, and to ensure that only registered motor vehicles are used or operated on or upon any public highway, the conduction sticker number shall be used as temporary license plate numbers.

For motorcycles, used imported and rebuilt motor vehicles, however, the file number shall be used as temporary license plate number.

LTO-7 regional director Victor Caindec, in his Facebook post, urged netizens to read the two memos and appeals to understand it.

“Basaha, ug palihug sabta. Dili mo madakpan bisan ug wala pa inyong plaka kung mosubay ra sa balaod. Importante, rehistrado inyong mga motor or sakyanan. Ang kining temporary plate, ang dealer ang mobuhat ana samtang wala pa inyong plaka. Usabon nako, subay lang sa template, ug siguroha nga rehistrado ang motor or sakyanan, walay madakpan,” Caindec added. — GMR (FREEMAN)