Driving when your license plate is not yet released means you are operating a registered vehicle that is still waiting for its official LTO plate number. It is allowed, as long as you have a temporary plate issued by your dealer and carry your Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) at all times. However, driving without any plate or proper authorization from the LTO may lead to fines or your vehicle being impounded.
If you’ve bought a new car or motorcycle in the Philippines but your official LTO license plate is not yet available, then this guide can tell you what to do and how you can drive your car legally.
What To Do If Your License Plate is Not Yet Released
Given the amount of time it takes for the license plates to be released by the LTO, it really isn’t practical to wait for them before driving your car around. While it’s frustrating to wait around for your plate, it’s not a reason to go bad and use fake or unapproved improvised plates. In fact, it’s best to avoid them altogether as getting caught doing so may result in confiscation and stiffer fines. But this doesn’t mean you can’t drive your car at all either. There are some ways around the LTO policies and still legally drive, though they may bot always apply as some things change at any time.
Until your official license plate is released, the best thing you can do is:
1. Use a Temporary Plate (Legally)
While waiting for your official LTO plate number, your dealer should provide a temporary plate. This serves as a legal placeholder until your real one is released.
A temporary plate helps you:
- Drive legally without risking apprehension.
- Avoid the ₱5,000 fine for “no plate” violations.
- Show your vehicle is properly registered with the LTO.
Note: Always display the temporary plate on your vehicle and keep it readable. Avoid handwritten or improvised plates unless officially authorized by the LTO.
Update: Just recently, the LTO has imposed a ban on the use of temporary and improvised plates. Days later, the LTO Chief himself, Markus Lacanilao, suspended the ban on temporary and improvised plates, which was supposed to take effect on November 1. This means motorists with pending plate releases won’t be fined for using temporary and improvised plates for now — but you must still secure proper authorization from your dealer or LTO. Take note that the same day registration and release policy of the LTO has also been suspended.
2. Always Carry Your OR/CR
Even with a temporary plate, you must always have your Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) — or at least copies — in your vehicle. After all, these documents prove that your car or motorcycle is registered with the LTO. If you’re caught without them, your vehicle could be towed or impounded.
3. Check Your Plate Status Online
Before heading to your dealer, check if your license plate has already been released.
You can:
- Visit the LTO Plate Inquiry page or
- Check the official LTO Facebook pages, which regularly posts plate release updates.
Simply enter your vehicle’s MV file number (found on your CR) to see if your plate is available.
4. Follow Up With Your Dealer
It’s your dealer’s responsibility to claim and release your plates from the LTO once available. Having said that, if the LTO tracker shows that your plates have been released, you must contact your dealership immediately. Ask for confirmation and request a timeline for when you can pick them up.
Note: Don’t hesitate to escalate to a manager or customer relations officer if your initial follow-ups are ignored. You can also always go to LTO for complaints, but it’s best to contact the dealership first.
5. Inquire Directly with the LTO
If your dealer cannot give a clear answer or the delay has gone on for months, contact the nearest LTO office. You can visit or message the LTO Main Office, regional office, or district office where your vehicle was registered. Bring your OR/CR and any correspondence with the dealer as proof.
This step helps verify if your plates are:
- Still pending in production,
- Already released to your dealer, or
- Delayed due to administrative or backlog issues.
6. Report Unreasonable Delays
If you suspect your dealer is withholding or mishandling plate releases for any reason, then your best bet is to report them to the LTO Anti-Fixers or Complaints Division. The LTO has policies protecting vehicle owners from dealers who delay plate distribution. Reporting such cases helps prevent further abuse and ensures accountability.
You may send complaints through:
- The LTO official website complaint form, or
- Their official Facebook page (@ltophilippines).
Potential Consequences of Driving Without Your Plate
Driving without your license plate and without observing the guidelines above could easily result in several consequences such as:
- Fines and penalties: The LTO may issue a citation and fine you up to ₱5,000 for driving without proper plates or authorization.
- Vehicle impoundment: Driving without an OR/CR or with an unauthorized plate can lead to your car or motorcycle being towed or impounded until you settle the issue.
- Delays in plate release: Incomplete documents, dealer miscommunication, or missed updates may cause further delays in claiming your official plate.
- Legal issues: Using fake, decorative, or handwritten improvised plates can be considered a violation of LTO registration laws, leading to heavier penalties or even criminal charges.
- Inconvenience and stress: You may face trouble during checkpoints, road trips, or renewal of registration if your vehicle’s plate and documents are not in order.
- Loss of dealer accountability: Without records of your follow-ups, it becomes harder to hold your dealer responsible for delays or unclaimed plates.
Video: LTO Guidelines on License Plates Issuance
To learn more about what you can do if your license plate is not yet released, watch this:
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