Guidelines on Motor Vehicle Plate Violations

The Memorandum is issued pursuant to the government policy of “no plates, no travel.”
The Memorandum’s stated objective is more effective and meaningful traffic law enforcement through apprehension of motorists/drivers committing specified plate/tag/sticker violations.
The Memorandum requires strict compliance with its directions for enforcement officers.

The Memorandum implements requirements on number plates under Republic Act No. 4136, specifically Section 18 (use and display of number plates).
The Memorandum applies plate-related prohibitions and offenses under Republic Act No. 4136, including Section 31 (imitation and false representation).
The Memorandum enforces registration-related rules under Republic Act No. 4136, including Section 5a (registration requirement for lawful use on public highways).
The Memorandum implements additional plate/tag/sticker offenses and violation enumerations through Department Order No. 93-693 and Department Order No. 63-693.
The Memorandum references the Public Service Act and its implementation through Department Order No. 93-693.
The Memorandum references Batas Pambansa Blg. 43, including its penalties for illegal transfer of MV plates, tags, and/or stickers.
The Memorandum includes commemorative sticker rules through Adm. Order No. BGC-AO-99003 issued on 28 July 1999.

Section 18 of Republic Act No. 4136 requires every motor vehicle to display one number plate in front and one in the rear in conspicuous places.
The Memorandum requires number plates to be kept clean and cared for and firmly affixed so they are entirely visible and always visible.
Department Order No. 93-693 implements these requirements by enumerating these plate-display violations:
- Number plates not firmly attached and visible.
- Dirty and uncared for plates.
- Inconspicuously displayed front and rear plates.

The Memorandum provides that it is unlawful to have, where appearing in the license plates, a different set of characters from those appearing in the body of the alpha-numeric marking of Public Utility Vehicles.
Department Order No. 93-693 implements this Public Service Act requirement by treating the mismatch as a punishable plate-related violation.

Batas Pambansa Blg. 43 establishes that identification numbers and letters of any motor vehicle number plate are permanently assigned to the vehicle during its lifetime.
Batas Pambansa Blg. 43 penalizes the transfer of MV plates (whether temporary or regular), and the validating tags and/or stickers from one MV to another, without permit from the Bureau of Land Transportation (now Land Transportation Office), except security number plates authorized vehicles.
The penalty for illegal transfer under Batas Pambansa Blg. 43 is:
- a fine of not less than Five Thousand pesos (P5,000); and
- an increased fine of P7,500 and/or imprisonment of six (6) months at the discretion of the court.
Department Order No. 63-693, particularly Section 21, implements the illegal transfer rule by penalizing the illegal transfer of plates, tags, or stickers from one vehicle to another.

Section 31 of Republic Act No. 4136 prohibits any person from making or using—or attempting to make or use—a driver’s license, badge certificate, number plate, tag, or permit in imitation or similitude of those issued under the Act, or intended to be used as a valid license/plate/tag/permit.
Section 31 also prohibits falsely or fraudulently representing as valid and in force any driver’s license, badge certificate, plate, tag, or permit that is delinquent or has been revoked or suspended.
Department Order No. 93-693 enumerates offenses relative to Section 31 of Republic Act No. 4136, including these tampering/forgery-related violations:
- Using tampered or marked plates.
- Using unauthorized improvised plates.
- Using fake number plates/tags or stickers.

Section 5a of Republic Act No. 4136 requires that all motor vehicles and other motor vehicles must be registered.
No motor vehicle shall be used or operated on or upon any public highway of the Philippines unless properly registered for the current year.
Department Order No. 93-693, under Section 11, supplements the registration rule by penalizing operating a motor vehicle that is unregistered or with invalid or delinquent registration.

Adm. Order No. BGC-AO-99003 issued on 28 July 1999 makes the following acts prohibited in connection with commemorative stickers/plates:
- Improper display of motor vehicle permanent plates by the owner to accommodate a better display of commemorative/other plate.
- Display/use of expired commemorative plates/other plates.
- Violation of rules and regulations on placement of commemorative plates.
- Illegal transfer of commemorative plate without prior authority.
- Illegal use of unauthorized commemorative plates without prior authority.

The Memorandum directs enforcement officers to cause the apprehension of motorists/drivers whose motor vehicles commit the enumerated violations covering number plates, tags, stickers, and commemorative sticker/plate offenses.
The Memorandum reiterates that enforcement must be done for more effective and meaningful traffic law enforcement.
The Memorandum commands For strict compliance by enforcement officers and those concerned.