Regulations on Commemorative Plates Use

Use and installation of commemorative plates/stickers require approval of an application by the DOTC Secretary.
After approval of the application by the DOTC Secretary, the Memorandum requires strict compliance with the listed design, marking, eligibility, issuance limits, carrying/production of authority, and display rules.
Approval is the condition that authorizes placement and use only for the motor vehicle that was duly authorized.
Authority to use is tied to the approved application and vehicle authorization process.

The Memorandum is intended to regulate the use/display of commemorative plates/stickers.
The Memorandum establishes policies to ensure that use of commemorative plates is confined to the purpose for which it is issued.
Compliance is required to prevent misuse and to ensure commemorative use is properly identifiable and controlled.

The commemorative plate and windshield sticker design must include the name/logo/emblem of the organization.
Design must include the expiry date and the specific event or occasion to be commemorated.
The commemorative plate must have the same size as the regular plate: 390 mm x 140mm.
The right portion of the plate must be reserved to indicate the first and last characters (letter and number) of the regular plate, with a size of 25mm x 50mm and a margin of 15mm from the right edge of the plate.
Marking must be done so that no two plates belonging to one organization have the same markings.
Markings must not bear any resemblance or similitude with any regular plate (alpha-numeric of three letters and three arabic numerals) and low numbered/protocol LTO plates.

Commemorative plates/stickers are authorized only for cars, passenger vans, wagons, sport Utility Vehicles, and passenger Asian Utility vehicles/owner type jeeps/jeepneys/jitneys classified as “private.”
All other types of motor vehicles are not authorized to use commemorative stickers, including trucks and trailers, buses, delivery vans, and other similar types of commercial vehicles, regardless of classification.
Motorcycles, with or without sidecar, are not authorized to use commemorative stickers.
Motor vehicles classified as “For Hire” are not authorized to use commemorative stickers.

Only one commemorative plate/stickers shall be issued per motor vehicle.
A commemorative plate/sticker must not be issued, attached, or transferred to a vehicle other than the duly authorized one.
Any attachment or issuance to a vehicle other than the duly authorized vehicle violates the Memorandum rules.

The written authority to use the commemorative plate must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
The written authority must be accompanied by the official receipt for the payment of recording fee.
The written authority and receipt must be presented to enforcers/agents upon demand.

The commemorative plate must be superimposed over the regular front plate of the motor vehicle.
The regular front plate placement must be maintained in the space provided for that purpose.
Removal of the regular front plate is deemed a violation of the Order.
No commemorative plate shall be installed at the rear of the motor vehicle.
Placing the commemorative plate at the rear is strictly prohibited and penalized accordingly.
The commemorative sticker must be posted at the upper right hand corner of the front windshield.
The regular validating sticker must be posted at the left upper side of the front windshield.

Obscene, vulgar, offensive, or barbaric markings are prohibited.
Markings contrary to law, customs, morals, or public policy are strictly prohibited.
Prohibited markings apply to both commemorative plates and windshield stickers.

The display period for any commemorative plate is one (1) year.
The one-year period runs from the month following approval by the DOTC Secretary.
The DOTC Secretary may extend the display period for a longer period only if expressly extended.
Upon expiration of the authority, the commemorative plate/sticker must be immediately removed from its placement.

All orders, memoranda, circulars, rules, and regulations previously promulgated by this Office that are inconsistent with the Memorandum are modified, amended and/or superseded.
The Memorandum establishes controlling guidelines for compliant use/display of commemorative plates/stickers where inconsistency exists.