LTO Clears License Plate Backlog, Starts Enforcing Mandatory Plates on Nov 1

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has completed its license plate production backlog, aligning with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr.'s mandate. Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTO Chief Vigor D. Mendoza II oversaw the operation, which aims to eliminate all license plate backlogs nationwide.

On October 8, 2025, LTO Region 7 (LTO-7) turned over 255 license plates to Cebu City Government, led by Regional Director Glen G. Galario. This event marked a significant step in the larger effort to distribute all remaining license plates to local government units in the region. Galario personally handed over the red license plates to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival.

Starting November 1, 2025, the LTO will commence apprehending vehicles without proper license plates. This initiative is in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2025-4674, which prohibits the use of provisional, improvised, and temporary plates. Vehicle owners currently using improvised plates can continue to do so until the given deadline, provided they have authorization from the LTO office.

The LTO's license plate turnover is a substantial stride towards improving road safety and vehicle identification. With the backlog cleared and distribution ongoing, the LTO anticipates a smoother process for vehicle owners and enhanced enforcement capabilities.