New License Plate Design for Tourist Transport

Republic Act No. 4136 requires implementation through LTO rules and regulations governing land transportation and traffic.
The circular aligns coverage with LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2004-011 dated 26 May 2004.
The circular is adopted in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in response to requests from tourist-oriented PUV operators.

The circular recognizes that the influx of tourists—credited to the Department of Tourism’s “WOW Philippines Program”—creates goodwill and revenue.
The circular provides that tourists, perceived as rich and big spenders, must be accorded due respect by law enforcement authorities.
The circular requires utmost security and protection from kidnappers, terrorists, and other criminal elements.
The circular states that LTO must change the license plate design format of tourist-oriented public utility vehicles to differentiate them from easily identifiable for-hire vehicles.
The circular states that the measure aims to enhance tourist safety and comfort during land travel.

The circular covers motor vehicles under reclassified services identified in LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2004-011 dated 26 May 2004.
The circular covers Tourist Coupon Transport Service vehicles, defined as four-door sedan vehicles, vans (examples include Mitsubishi L-300, Nissan Urvan, Toyota Hi-Ace, Hyundai Starex, Kia Besta, Kia Pregio, MB 100, or their equivalent), and Asian Utility Vehicles (AUVs) plying international and/or domestic airports, seaports, and hotels.
The circular covers Tourist Chartered Transport Service vehicles, defined as coasters, vans, air-conditioned jeepneys (with at least 12 passengers), mini-buses, and buses, provided the services are covered by a Contract of Service.
The circular covers Tourist Rent-a-Car Transport Service vehicles, defined as luxury vehicles, pick-up, limousines, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) and vans with plush carpeting, luxurious upholstery, Audio/Video amenities, and with engine displacement of not less than 2000 cc and wheel base of a minimum of 2670 mm.

For Tourist Coupon Transport Service, the circular requires backseats of AUVs with liftbacks to be removed.
For Tourist Coupon Transport Service, the circular requires body markings and prohibits installing a top light.
For Tourist Chartered Transport Service, the circular requires body markings that include trade name, plate number and LTFRB case number.
For Tourist Chartered Transport Service, the circular requires that services be covered by a Contract of Service.
For Tourist Rent-a-Car Transport Service, the circular requires no body markings.

The circular mandates that the design format has all characteristics of the regular Rizal Monument full color graphic plates.
The circular requires predominantly yellow color to determine the category of for-hire motor vehicles with reflective full color graphic license plates.
The circular requires embossed black alpha-numeric, the text “Matatag na Republika”, a block border, and a space for plate year tags.
The circular requires a stripe of white LTO markings to form part of the security features.

The circular sets the plate size at 140mm x 390mm with reflective characteristics.
The circular requires visible multiple LTO acronym security water marks at the bottom of the space with YELLOW color.
The circular provides that there are formats for:
- newly registered motor vehicles, and
- previously registered motor vehicles.
The circular requires that the design for duplication includes a letter “D” (duplicate) placed after the numeric.

The circular provides that all Orders/Circulars/Memoranda issued in conflict herewith are deemed superseded.
The circular states that it takes effect immediately after filing of copies with the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center.
The circular directs for guidance and compliance through its implementation in the LTO system.

The circular is adopted: 22 June 2004.
The circular provides that the sample of the design format is available at ONAR.
The circular includes sample formats for newly registered vehicles and previously registered vehicles, including the “D” duplicate marker after the numeric.