LTO extends temporary plates deadline to December 31, 2024

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Sunday extended the deadline for the prohibition against improvised and temporary plates for motor vehicles but reiterated that those who already have the proper plates should have them installed.

In a statement, the LTO said the deadline will be moved by three months to  December 31, 2024, from the earlier announced September 1, 2024.

“We ask the motorists to claim and install their respective plates as soon as they are available either in the car dealerships or replacement platers in our offices,” LTO chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor  Mendoza II said.

“Wala na pong backlog sa mga (There is no longer a backlog for) four-wheeled vehicles so there is no reason for these vehicle owners not to claim and install them in their vehicles,”  he added.

This comes as the LTO earlier issued a memorandum  circular against the use of improvised and temporary plates after an  initial investigation found that registered owners of vehicles are not  claiming their plates from motor vehicle dealerships.

The  agency said they met with car dealers in July, and they were told that clients were unable to claim their plates despite the repeated messages.

“Ang natitira na lamang pong backlog ay mga plaka sa mga motorsiklo at ito  po ay ang focus namin ngayon (The only backlog remaining is for  motorcycle plates and this is our focus now) in compliance with the  directive from President [Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.] to address all the backlog on license  plates by June next year,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza noted,  however, that despite the deadline extension, the LTO would continue to push for vehicle owners to claim license plates. He also instructed regional directors and district office heads to coordinate with local government units for the distribution.

Under its mandate, the  LTO is tasked to register motor vehicles, issue drivers’ or conductors’  licenses and permits, enforce transportation laws, rules, and  regulations, and adjudicate apprehension cases. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA Integrated News