The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that, by July 2023, there could already be supply issues on license plates. As a preparation, the agency has released the official guidelines for Temporary and Improvised license plates.
Under the Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2400, the LTO has detailed all the guidelines regarding Temporary and Improvised license plates, which motorists can use while they wait for the official one.
There is a lot to talk about the new guidelines for the LTO Temporary and Improvised plates: from who can issue them, how to make them, and more. We’ll detail all of them today. Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
- What is the difference between LTO Temporary and Improvised License Plates?
- LTO Temporary and Improvised Plate Format and Layout
- Temporary Plate for New Registration with Assigned Plate
- Improvised MV Plate for Lost or Damaged Plate
- Temporary Plate for Vintage Vehicles with Assigned Plate
- Temporary Plate for Previously Registered without Assigned Plate
- Temporary Plate for New Registration without Plate
- Temporary Plate for Hybrid Vehicle with Assigned Plate
- Temporary Plate for Electric Vehicle (EV) with Assigned Plate
- Until when can I use my Temporary or Improvised plate number?
What is the difference between LTO Temporary and Improvised License Plates?
The Memorandum Circular states that dealerships will issue Temporary plates to vehicle owners while waiting for their newly registered vehicles’ actual license plates.
Alternatively, vehicle owners can also make their own temporary plates, as long as they’ve been registered prior to the release of the order. The same rules apply to newly registered vintage vehicles.
On the other hand, vehicle owners can make Improvised License plates while they wait for the replacement of their lost or damaged plate number.
Before making an improvised plate, the owner should submit the necessary requirements and file a duplicate plate request to the concerned LTO District or Extension Office.
Once approved, the concerned LTO office will issue an authority or permit to use an improvised plate, which is valid until the official plate is available.
| Primary Responsible | Purpose | With Authority to Use | Font Color | |
| Improvised Plate (Lost plate) | Vehicle Owner | Vehicle identification pending issuance of replacement plate | Yes | Private: Black Government: Red For Hire: Yellow Diplomatic: Blue Hybrid/Electric: Green |
| Temporary Plate w/ Assigned Plate Number | If new: Dealer Already registered: Owner Vintage Vehicle: Owner | Vehicle identification pending issuance of actual license plate | No | Private: Black Government: Red For Hire: Yellow Diplomatic: Blue Hybrid/Electric: Green |
| Temporary Plate w/o Assigned Plate Number (Use Conduction Sticker Number or MV File Numbe) | If new: Dealer Already registered: Vehicle Owner | Vehicle identification pending issuance of actual license plate | No | Private: Black Government: Red For Hire: Yellow Diplomatic: Blue Hybrid/Electric: Green |
Related
- How to renew LTO vehicle registration online
- How to check vehicle plate number on LTO via text
- How to book an appointment for driver’s license using LTO Online
- E-Bikes and E-Scooters LTO classification
LTO Temporary and Improvised Plate Format and Layout
Temporary Plate for New Registration with Assigned Plate
Improvised MV Plate for Lost or Damaged Plate
Temporary Plate for Vintage Vehicles with Assigned Plate
Temporary Plate for Previously Registered without Assigned Plate
Temporary Plate for New Registration without Plate
Temporary Plate for Hybrid Vehicle with Assigned Plate
Temporary Plate for Electric Vehicle (EV) with Assigned Plate
Until when can I use my Temporary or Improvised plate number?
The general rule is, you should stop using the temporary and improvised plates once you’ve been issued with the official physical plate by the LTO. Failure to use the issued plate may lead to fines and penalties prescribe by the existing rules and regulations.
These are the things you should know about the new LTO Temporary and Improvised license plate number guidelines.