Law Summary
Public Utility Vehicle Number Plate Consistency
- License plates displayed on public utility vehicles must match the alpha-numeric identifiers on the vehicle's body.
- It is unlawful for the license plates to differ from the numbers on the vehicle.
Assignment and Transfer of Number Plates, Tags, and Stickers
- Number plates are permanently assigned to a vehicle during its lifetime.
- Transfer of number plates, validating tags, or stickers from one vehicle to another is prohibited without a permit from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
- Violation of unauthorized transfer:
- Punishable by a fine of not less than Five Thousand pesos (₱5,000).
- May increase to Seven Thousand Five Hundred pesos (₱7,500) and/or imprisonment for six months at the discretion of the court.
Prohibition on Imitation and Fraudulent Use
- No person shall make, use, or attempt to make or use driver’s licenses, badges, number plates, tags or permits that imitate or resemble official documents issued under the law.
- It is unlawful to sell or dispose of imitation or fraudulent licenses, badges, plates, tags, or permits.
- Misrepresenting delinquent, revoked, or suspended licenses or permits as valid is prohibited.
- Specific violations include:
- Using tampered or marked plates.
- Using unauthorized improvised plates.
- Using fake number plates, tags, or stickers.
Registration Requirement
- All motor vehicles must be registered annually.
- No motor vehicle shall be used or operated on public highways unless properly registered for the current year.
- Operating an unregistered vehicle, or one with invalid or delinquent registration, is penalized.
Violations Related to Commemorative Stickers
- Prohibited acts include:
- Improper display of permanent number plates to favor commemorative plates.
- Use of expired commemorative plates.
- Violation of placement rules for commemorative plates.
- Unauthorized transfer or use of commemorative plates without prior authority.
Enforcement Directive
- All enforcement officers and concerned authorities are directed to apprehend motorists/drivers who commit any of the aforementioned violations.
- This is pursuant to the "no plates, no travel" government policy to ensure road traffic safety and regulatory compliance.
Legal Basis and Implementing Orders
- The guidelines are based primarily on:
- Republic Act No. 4136 (Motor Vehicle Law)
- Department Orders No. 63-693 and 93-693
- Administrative Order No. BGC-AO-99003 (on commemorative plates)
- These laws provide the framework for penalties, prohibited acts, and procedural enforcement on the use of number plates, tags, and stickers.