If you are one of the 1.797M who have yet to receive the new white LTO replacement plate that you’ve already paid for at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as far back as 2015 to replace your green LTO license plates, then you’d want to check with the newly launched website, ltoplatereplacement.com.
Launching the website, ltoplatereplacement.com, is the response of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to the problem of undelivered plates. With this website in place, the agency makes it possible for car owners to check whether their LTO replacement plates are ready for claiming without having them go to an LTO branch. Plus, it offers information about where the paid and unclaimed LTO replacement license plates may be claimed.
What is the LTO Plate Replacement Availability Checker?
The LTO Plate replacement inquiry website is the newest initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). It is an interactive website launched in response to the recent report made by the Commission on Audit (COA) that the LTO has yet to address a backlog of 1.797M license plate deliveries. The said replacement plates are all paid for yet unclaimed or undelivered, resulting in an increasing number of impatient vehicle owners with frayed nerves waiting for their replacement plates.
This basically means that, to date, a lot of vehicles on the streets are running around with temporary plates even though they already have actual replacement license plates since the new plates remain unaccounted for, held, and unclaimed at the LTO office where they were applied for.
The new interactive website, ltoplatereplacement.com is designed to address the LTO License Plate Backlog issues. It features a simple interface, requiring vehicle owners to simply key in their plate numbers in a search box and allowing them to see crucial information regarding the availability of paid and unclaimed LTO replacement license plates, their availability, and the LTO branch where they can claim them.
Do note, however, that the website homepage says, “This interactive website is designed to provide information on the availability of paid and unclaimed LTO replacement license plates (green to white) from 2015”. Thus, it is clear that the site is designed only for the sole purpose of answering inquiries about LTO license plate replacements (from green to white) that were paid and unclaimed from 2015 onwards and that it is not equipped to handle inquiries about new plate issuances.
Benefits
The development of the LTO plate replacement checker online is more than a move to cope with the ever-increasing backlog in LTO license plate issuance. It is also a step towards the agency’s innovation efforts related to developing technology and connectivity. In fact, the launching of the website is expected to offer the following benefits to its users:
- Allows LTO to reduce the congestion in its offices caused by people checking for availability of replacement plates
- Reduced the time spent on checking for plates availability in LTO offices
- Improve the efficiency of the LTO service delivery
- Reduces the LTO backlog on license plate issuance more efficiently
- Reduces the LTO backlog on license plate issuance by allowing those who have been issued their new plates the chance to know that the plates can be claimed already, making it more convenient for the transacting public
Who Can Use the LTO Replacement Plate Checker Online
All car owners who have requested and paid for a license replacement plate as far back as 2015 but have yet to claim their new plates may use the LTO replacement plate checker online accessible via the website: https://ltoplatereplacement.com.
Requirements
In terms of requirements, there really isn’t much that you need to use the LTO replacement plate checker online. You might want to check on the specific requirements you will need for when you actually claim your LTO replacement plate, though.
To use the LTO replacement plate checker online, you only need the following:
- An online computing device, be it a smartphone or a desktop.or laptop
- A stable Internet connection
- The following information:
Procedures on How to Check for the Availability of Your LTO Plate Replacement
To check if your LTO replacement plate is already available for claiming, you may follow the steps listed in this short guide below. It’s a simple site with a simple and clean interface so it’s straightforward and easy to use.
Step 1: Using either a computer or a smartphone, visit the newly launched LTO replacement plate checker online via this link: https://ltoplatereplacement.com/
Step 2: Upon logging on to the website, wait until you are prompted to enter your plate number.
Step 3: Key in your plate number properly in the space provided.
Note: Make sure that you do not leave any space between the numbers and letters when you type your plate number.
Example: Type ABC123 instead of ABC 123.
Step 4: Once done, click the search button.
Step 5: If you keyed in your plate number properly, wait until you see the message on the screen that tells you if your replacement plates are ready and where you can pick them up.
Note: In case the replacement plate is still in the backlog and not yet available for claiming, the website will display a message advising the user to check back after 60 days instead.
In such cases, you should be able to see this prompt:
“Your new license plate will be available soon. You may inquire again after 60 days.”
How to Claim the Replacement Plate from LTO
In case the LTO site tells you that your LTO replacement plate is already waiting to be claimed and picked up, then here are the steps you need to follow to claim your new plate.
Requirements
Before you go to the LTO Office indicated on the site or the LTO Office where you requested the plate replacement, you have to prepare the following documents:
- One (1) original copy and one (1) photocopy of the Certificate of Registration (CR)
- One (1) original copy and one (1) photocopy of the Official Receipt (OR)
- For authorized representatives:
- One (1) original copy of the signed authorization letter if the registered owner is not available to pick it up.
- One (1) original copy and one (1) photocopy of the authorized representative’s I.D. and the registered owner’s I.D.
Procedures for Claiming LTO Replacement Plates
To get your replacement plate, you must follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the LTO District Office that the website indicates as the location of your plate.
Step 2: Once there, proceed directly to the releasing section window.
Step 3: At the releasing window, inform them that you are there to get your replacement plate.
Step 4: Submit your documents requirements, and wait for them to hand you your plates.
Step 5: Sign the release form to confirm that you have received your plates.
Note: The entire process should take approximately 15 minutes.
Video: Tutorial from LTO License Plate Check
Check out this tutorial video about the plate replacement process from the PH Assistance YouTube channel for an easier understanding of the procedures:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For your reference, listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions related to the new lto replacement plate tracker website:
1. Where can I apply for a replacement of my license plate (green to white plates) in accordance with the Plate Standardization Law?
You may apply for a replacement license plate at the nearest LTO office in your place.
2. I already paid the replacement fee, but the LTO replacement plate checker online says my license plate will soon be available. What does it mean?
It either means that the site is not yet updated, you have requested to hold the license plates, or that the new plates are yet to become available. In such a case, it’d be best to inquire again after 30 to 60 days. The production of the remaining replacement plates in the backlog is still ongoing at this time.
3. My replacement plates are ready but I cannot find the official receipt. What should I do?
Head on to the LTO office stated on the website but do bring a valid ID and along with your old license plate with you as well as all the other requirements.
4. The vehicle owner is not available to pick up the license plate.
In case the registered owner is not available to pick up the new plates, then he can send an authorized representative. Just make sure that the representative carries with him a signed authorization letter from the vehicle owner along with a copy of a valid ID with signature of both the owner and the representative
5. I changed the venue of my vehicle registration. Where do I get the replacement plates?
If you change the LTO transacting office, then the new license plate is available at the same office you ordered it from.
Summary
If you haven’t yet, we suggest requesting a replacement for your green plates with the new ones as soon as possible. After all, despite the delays, it will eventually be available to you. Plus, the new plates makes you compliant with the rules and it comes with more security features as well. However, in case your white replacement plates are issued, make sure not to discard or throw away the green plates carelessly. They could fall into the wrong hands and be used for illegal activities. The safest option is to just destroy them completely.
Note: As of November 19, 2023, the LTO replacement plate tracker website is still down, so please stay tuned for more updates.