Philippine Custom License Plate Guide—What you need to know and how to get one

Custom license plates, otherwise known as Optional Motor Vehicle Special Plates (OMVSP), are a great way to give your car an extra special personal touch. Whether you want to put your initials, the initials of a loved one, a funny word, or a meaningful string of numbers, is up to you, and up to the approval of the LTO. 

While the ideal scenario is that you can put anything that you want, there are a few things that you can and cannot do, and there is also a process on how to get your car a customized plate number. Of course, we’re not talking about commemorative plates or vanity plates. The custom plate numbers we’re talking about will be tied to the registration of your vehicle. There is a price to pay here and a process that you must go through, so let’s navigate through the ins and outs of custom plates here in the Philippines. 

• Duly accomplished OMVSP application form by the owner or duly authorized representative.
• A certified true copy of the Official Receipt (OR)/Certificate of Registration (CR), issued by the TDO
• Certification by the TDO that no plates have been issued to the motor vehicle together with the official receipt of payment of the certification fee 
• Sales Invoice (in lieu of other documents to authenticate year model or to determine whether the motor vehicle is brand new)
• ID of the Authorized Representative or Owner
• Authorization Letter from Owner (If Applicable)

After getting these requirements in order, you need to head over to the LTO Central Office on East Avenue in Quezon City or at any Regional or District Office of the LTO to submit these requirements. 

In Memorandum Circular No. 2022-2335, there is a pricing scheme for custom plate numbers in the Philippines, and the guidelines are as follows: 

IV. ACQUISITION AND PRICING SCHEME 

Under this program, the owner of the covered brand-new motor vehicle or its duly authorized representative may apply at any authorized LTO Regional/District Offices for an OMVSP pair. The price and the scheme of the OMVSP shall be as follows:

PhP 15,000.00 for Three (3) Alpha and Three (3) Numeric characters: 

Any Three (3) Alpha combination + Triple Numeric except 000, or Any Three (3) Alpha combination + any Three (3) Numeric combination which are not yet issued as series. 

PhP 25,000.00 for Three (3) Alpha and Two (2) Numeric characters 

Any Three (3) Alpha combination + Two (2) Numeric combination except 00. 

PhP 35,000.00 for Three (3) Alpha and Four (4) Numeric characters 

Any Three (3) Alpha combination + Quadruple Numeric except 0000 or Any Three (3) Alpha combination + any Four (4) Numeric combination which are not yet issued as series. 

With these guidelines, we know that we need at least three letters to put on the custom plate regardless of what package you get. Apart from that, however, the most accessible custom plate would be the three alpha and three numeric plate. The two numeric custom plates get more expensive, and getting a custom plate with four numerics will be the most expensive. 

As noted in the memorandum, custom plates cannot have all zeros (0). Though, a series of the same letters look to be available (if available and approved by the LTO). With that being said, all requests will be subject to the approval of the LTO. Offensive, sexual, lewd, racist, or plate requests with bad or inappropriate connotations will be denied. 

Also, the LTO’s system will also be checked if the applicant has an existing apprehension in the LTO’s system or with the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG). Motorists with an existing alarm or apprehension will not be approved, so it’s best to settle all of your affairs first if you are looking to apply for a plate. The LTO will see in the system if you need to settle anything before you proceed with the rest of the process. 

Plates will take about seven (7) working days to get delivered to residents in Metro Manila. Territories outside of NCR/Metro Manila should expect a longer lead time, to be advised by your Regional or District office.