LTO indefinitely suspends ban on temporary plates

For years now, delayed license plates have been a major headache for vehicle owners, both car drivers and motorcycle riders alike. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been playing catch-up, and while progress has been made, the issue is far from resolved.  

In a recent move, the LTO clarified that the implementation of policies banning improvised plates—specifically Memorandum Circulars (MC) VDM-2024-2721 and 2722—has been suspended indefinitely. This suspension, effective since September 30, aims to give vehicle owners more time to secure their official plates. LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II made the call through a memorandum issued on November 27.  

MC VDM-2024-2721 initially declared that there was no backlog in license plate production and set an August 1 deadline to phase out improvised or temporary plates. Meanwhile, MC VDM-2024-2722 required motorcycle taxi riders to have proper license plates to comply with LTO standards.  

However, the reality on the ground is different. LTO Executive Director Greg Pua admitted that despite full delivery of materials to the agency’s plate-making plant, production delays and budget constraints continue to hamper efforts. The plant has been running 24/7, but the backlog for motorcycle plates, which once stood at 13 million, is still at 9.1 million. The goal? A zero backlog by June 2025.  

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino called the suspension a victory for motorcycle riders, especially those relying on their bikes for their livelihood. “It provides relief for riders affected by the massive backlog and allows them to keep earning without fear of fines or apprehensions,” Tolentino said.  

However, he also urged the LTO to stop moving the goalposts and to be more transparent about its progress. According to Tolentino, despite the LTO’s best efforts, even their plate-making machines operating at full capacity won’t clear the backlog until mid-2025.  

While the indefinite suspension of the no-improvised-plates policy buys time for motorists, thousands of vehicles are still waiting for their plates. The LTO is working tirelessly to clear the backlog, but for now, the finish line remains distant, leaving many motorists in limbo.