LTO eyes same-day registration, release of plates for new cars

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said it is planning to implement a policy that will require the release of license plates, official receipts and certificates of registration (OR/CR) on the same day of a motor vehicle’s purchase.

In a statement, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said he has issued a memorandum circular on the guidelines for the nationwide implementation of the same-day registration and release of license plates and OR/CR for brand-new motor vehicles.

The circular is expected to take effect on Oct. 15 “unless otherwise extended by subsequent issuance.”

Mendoza said his order will be immediately cascaded down to all LTO district offices and dealers of cars and motorcycles.

He added that this was in compliance with the directive of President Marcos to ensure the release of license plates and documents for newly-bought vehicles within three days.

Backlog addressed

“[O]n the part of the LTO, we assessed that the release of license plates and OR/CR could be done on the same day the newly purchased motor vehicle is released to the owner. That is why we will implement it,” Mendoza said.

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The LTO also wants to ensure that a backlog of license plates will not happen again, noting that it has just finished producing 12 million license plates in June to resolve an 11-year backlog.

“Once this memorandum circular becomes effective, no brand-new motor vehicle or motorcycle shall be released by the dealers without the LTO license plates and OR/CR,” Mendoza said.