The Land Transportation Office (LTO) reminded vehicle owners on Thursday that creating or printing their own license plates is unlawful as a shortage of license plates looms.
The clarification came after LTO Chief Jose "Jay Art" Tugade said that owners of new vehicles may have to create their own makeshift license plates.
He reiterated during a press conference that the agency is considering providing temporary license plates to motorists as a backup plan.
However, Tugade emphasized that temporary plates are only intended for newly-purchased vehicles and motorcycles and are issued by accredited dealers.
"Ang general rule po ay bawal po mag-print ng sariling plate number. Tanging mga dealer lamang po ang pinapayagang mag-issue ng temporary plate para maiuwi ang mga bagong sasakyan dahil mayroon tayong 'no plate, no travel' policy," he explained.
Improvised plates, on the other hand, are only used for current motor vehicles or motorcycles with missing or damaged plates.
Tugade reiterated that it is against the law to create one's own license plate and that violators of Section II (e) of the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 will face a fine of ₱5,000 and have their improvised plates confiscated.
"Kailangan ding dalhin ng may-ari ng sasakyan ang kanyang Official Receipt at Certificate of Registration upang sakaling masita ng mga law enforcer sa posibleng paglabag sa batas-trapiko ay mayruong maipapakitang dokumento," he added.
Furthermore, car dealers who fail to issue temporary plates to their clients will face legal repercussions.
"Itong paggawa ng improvised license plates ay masasabing exception sa general rule na bawal gumawa ng sariling plaka pero dapat ay nasusunod ang panuntunan ng LTO hinggil dito," Tugade explained.
The LTO's 2017 memorandum outlining the specifications for temporary license plates remains in full force and effect, according to a memo released by Tugade on March 10, 2023.
