New LTO Chief suspends Improvised/Temporary Plate, No Travel order

Newly installed Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Markus Lacanilao, has suspended the implementation of his predecessor’s order prohibiting the use of improvised and temporary plates starting November 1, 2025. The earlier directive sought to compel vehicle owners to claim their official license plates, following the LTO’s resolution of the 11-year backlog last June 30.

“Sa akin, personally, marami tayong dapat i-check muna, kaya temporary, isu-suspend ko muna yung Nov. 1 [order] na yan. Bakit? Hindi kasalanan ng ordinaryong tao kung ang plaka nya ay hindi [pa] naibibigay sa kanya. Tapos, ipa-fine natin sya?”

(For me, personally, we have a lot to check first, so temporarily, I will suspend that Nov. 1^st [order]. Why? It’s not the fault of the ordinary person if their license plate hasn’t been given to them [yet]. Then, we’ll fine them?)

Lacanilao explained that the decision also takes into account the realities faced by ordinary motorists.

Lacanilao further explained that the suspension of the policy was a matter of practicality, especially for small delivery riders who rely on their motorcycles for daily income. Prohibiting temporary plates, he said, would prevent them from working and force them to find costly alternatives. He emphasized the need to consider the broader implications of such measures, noting that many real-world factors must be weighed before implementing restrictions that could unduly burden ordinary motorists.

Under the former LTO Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza’s Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2025-4674, which was signed on September 25, 2025, all motor vehicles and motorcycles using improvised, provisional, or temporary plates are subject to apprehension and a fine of PHP 5,000 starting November 1, 2025.

Additionally, Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2025-4674 states that motor vehicles and motorcycles without compliant license plates will not be allowed to renew their registration until the proper plates are installed.