LTO: Alphanumeric plates only for new vehicles

MANILA, Philippines - Only vehicles being registered for the first time will be issued the new alphanumeric plate of three letters and four numbers.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) executive director Alfonso Tan said old vehicles shall retain their six-digit alphanumeric combination, but the plates will be replaced.

“Just to remind those who have old license plates: the new plates will not change your alphanumeric combination,” he said.

“Your existing plate numbers will be retained. Only vehicles registered for the first-time will be issued the new 3-letter 4-number combination.”

Since 2014, the LTO has started issuing new license plates to brand new vehicles being registered for the first time.

Owners renewing their vehicle registrations are required to apply for the replacement of plates.

The new license plates for private motor vehicles will have a black-and-white design, similar to those in other  countries.

The LTO said the new plates have tamper-resistant locks and screws permanently attaching the plates to the vehicle to prevent  their removal and transfer.

The new plates also feature reflectorized sheeting to make them visible from afar and from any angle.

A permanent “third plate” windshield sticker will be issued to vehicles to   indicate their license plate numbers and other relevant registration information.

It cannot be peeled off without leaving the  pieces of information on the windshield.

Costing P450, the new plates  will be available after 45 days from the date of the renewal of registration.

An LTO memorandum issued  last month said applications for replacement of old plates will not be honored if the vehicle has changed classification or has a pending issuance of new standardized plates.

Replacement will not also be honored for vehicles whose owners have applied solely miscellaneous transactions and those who have applied for duplicate plates which are not yet due for renewal.