Issue of Plates for Converted For-Hire Vehicles

The order is issued “pursuant to and consistent with” Batas Pambansa Blg. 43 and Republic Act No. 4136, as amended.
The order governs how LTO handles number plates when a motor vehicle’s classification changes from “private” to “for hire.”
The order also governs how LTO handles surrendered private number plates, including their transfer to other private motor vehicles.
The order directs that it be implemented through LTO offices and agencies that register the affected motor vehicles.

The order requires transfer and issuance guidelines to prevent wastage of available government resources.
The order seeks optimum and effective use of available “for hire” number plates that were manufactured earlier but remained unissued.

Section 1 requires that the number plates of motor vehicles whose classification changes from “private” to “for hire” (converted motor vehicles) shall be surrendered to the LTO office or agency where the converted motor vehicles are to be registered.
Section 1 allows the surrendered private number plates to be issued and transferred to originally registered private number vehicles.

Section 2 requires that converted motor vehicles, after surrendering their private plates, shall be issued the appropriate “for hire” plates.
Section 2 requires that “for hire” plates issued to converted motor vehicles bear letters and number different from the former private number plates.
Section 2 requires that, for this issuance, any “for hire” number plates available in the registering LTO office or agency shall be issued.
Section 2 requires that, as far as possible, “for hire” plates issued to a converted motor vehicle shall bear a number whose last digit coincides with the month of registration.
Section 2 requires that if there are no such number plates, LTO shall nevertheless issue any available number plates.
Section 2 prohibits deferring or postponing issuance: in no case shall issuance of “for hire” number plates to duly registered “for hire” motor vehicles be deferred or postponed.

Section 3 requires that all transactions involving change of classification shall be duly recorded in a logbook.
Section 3 requires the logbook to indicate: the surrendered “private” plate number, the issued “for hire” plate number, file number, motor and chassis numbers of the motor vehicle, and the name and address of the owner.
Section 3 requires that where surrendered private number plates are issued or transferred to another private motor vehicle, the logbook shall additionally record the motor and chassis numbers of that private motor vehicle, and the name and owner and his address.
Section 3 requires a separate logbook for issuance of surrendered private number plates, indicating the motor and chassis numbers of the motor vehicle to which the number plates were issued or transferred, file number, and name and address of the owner.
Section 3 requires that the Certificate of Registration (CR) and the Official Receipt (OR) of the converted motor vehicle shall show on their faces both the “for hire” plate number and the “private” plate number, with the “private” plate number enclosed in parenthesis.
Section 3 requires that the CR and OR of the motor vehicle to which the surrendered number plates are issued shall show on their faces the plate number and the letters “SR” to indicate that the number plates issued are surrendered number plates.

Section 4 requires Regional Offices to forthwith conduct a physical inventory of all unissued “for hire” motor vehicle number plates.
Section 4 requires Regional Offices to cause the equitable allocation and distribution of unissued “for hire” plates to their respective district offices within one month from the date of effectivity of the order.
Section 4 requires that recording and documentation of inventory, allocation, and distribution follow accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Section 4 requires all Regional Offices to submit to the LTO Assistant Secretary copies of the inventory and reports on the allocation and distribution within two (2) months from the effectivity of the order.

Section 5 provides that all orders, memoranda, and other issuances inconsistent herewith are superseded, amended, or modified accordingly.
Section 6 sets the effectivity standard: the order takes effect fifteen (15) days after filing copies with the Office of the National Administrative Register and after publication in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.