Vehicle registration plates of the Philippines

Vehicle license plates in the Philippines is issued and regulated by the Land Transportation Office, a government agency under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

History

2014 series (Plate standardization project)

An example design of a 2014 series vehicle registration plate; Plate for private and light vehicles (Top) and for Public Utility vehicles (Bottom).

In January 2013, the Land Transportation Office ventured on the plate standardization project with modern security features which include holograms and bar codes, and also planned to phase out the old plate format which has been in use since 1981. In the new format, the LTO will issue LLL-DDDD for four-wheel vehicles and LL-DDDDD for motorcycles. The alphanumeric symbols for private cars will be black on a white background, while those for public utility vehicles (PUVs) would continue on black on yellow with the authorized route also to be indicated. Motorcycle plates would also be black on white, as would those for tricycles used for personal purposes. Tricycles used as PUVs would also continue with the black on yellow scheme. Government plates, meanwhile, would have sport red symbols on a white background, with the name of the agency/office to be indicated. Diplomatic plates would continue carry blue symbols on a white background, while Other Exempt Vehicles (OEV) would have black symbols on a light blue background. The new plate format series and design was originally scheduled for release on September or October 2013.[1][2][3][4] However, it has been delayed several times primarily due to concerns on the release of funds for the license plate project, as well as the increase in purchase of new cars using temporary license plates bearing the conduction sticker number.[5] Eventually, on May 2014, the first batch of new license plates were finally released.[6] By January 2015, vehicle owners are now required to change their old plates into a modern series plate, and pay PhP 450 for a replacement.

In 2016, the LTO issued "virtual plates" as a temporary measure to address the backlog in physical license plates. New vehicles will be issued an identification consisting of alphanumeric combinations, which will make it easier for the LTO to release the permanent license plates once they are available.[7]

Automobile vehicle

PatternClassNotes
ABC-1234 Private
vehicles		Private vehicle not for commercial uses (Light cars, SUV, Light truck)
PUV-1234 Public utility
vehicles		Public utility vehicle (AUV, Jeepneys, Taxicabs and School Bus)
GOV-1234 Government
vehicles		Cars for government official uses (Police car and Fire truck).

Motorcycle

PatternClassNotes
Bd-22263 PrivatePrivate motorcycles
PV-12345 Public utilityPublic utility use for Tricycles
GV-12345 Government
motorcycle		Motorcycles for government official uses (Police motorcycles).

Special vehicle

PatternClassNotes
00000
00000
 Diplomatic
vehicles		Other exempted vehicles
ABC-1234 ElectricElectric vehicles

1981 series

Automobile vehicle

PatternClassNotes
ABC-123
ABC-123 (rear only from 1989 to 1994)		 Private
vehicles		Private cars or light trucks not for commercial uses.
PUV-123
PUV-123 (from 1991 to 1995)		 Public utility
vehicles		Public utility cars (AUV, Jeepneys, Taxicabs and School Bus)
GOV-123
GOV-123 (rear only from 1989 to 1994)		 Government
vehicles		Cars for government official uses.

Motorcycle

PatternClassNotes
AB-1234
AB-1234 (from 1989 to 1994)
1234-AB
 PrivatePrivate motorcycles
PV-1234
PV-1234 (from 1991 to 1995)
1234-PV
 Public utilityPublic utility use for Tricycles
GV-1234
GV-1234 (from 1989 to 1994) 		Government
motorcycle		Motorcycles for government official uses (Police motorcycles).
00000
00000 (from 1989 to 1994)		 Diplomatic
vehicles		Other exempted vehicles

Special vehicle

PatternClassNotes
00000
00000 (rear only from 1989 to 1994)		 Diplomatic
vehicles		Other exempted vehicles
ABC-123
 ElectricElectric vehicles

Current specifications

Dimensions and medium

The current series of Philippine registration plates (Tagalog: plaka) measure 390 x 140 mm. The characters are stamped on an aluminium plate which is then applied with reflectorised paint. Previously, numerous watermarks of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) logo as well as a small logo of the plate manufacturer were stamped on the plate. This was replaced in 2003 with a reflectorised, printed colour sticker of the statue to José Rizal. As of 2008, all plates issued by the LTO are produced by a sole, privately funded manufacturer in Manila.

The slogan on the bottom of the licence plate usually reflects the goals campaign of the incumbent President. The practice began under President Fidel V. Ramos' "Philippines 2000" campaign in 1995. Until 2004, plates also bore the word "Pilipinas" at the bottom; it was replaced with the Arroyo government's slogan "Matatag Na Republika" ("Strong Republic") which was still used instead of the "Daang Matuwid" ("Straight Path") slogan even when Benigno Aquino III became President in 2010.

Typeface

There were numerous typefaces for Philippine registration plates. The current typeface used for Philippine registration plates was first implemented in 1981. It is loosely based on the Australian license plate system. There have been slight variations on the font design since then.

Protocol/High-ranking government plates

These plates are green D or DD plates reserved for the top government officials of the Republic of the Philippines.

Regular government plates

Red characters on a white background, LLL-DDD (1981 series) or LLL-DDDD (2014 series) plates that start with the letter "S".

Government plate.
A Toyota Land Cruiser J80 with a protocol plate 7 for Senators.
Temporary diplomatic plate, perhaps unofficial.
A Toyota Corolla Altis with diplomatic-OEV plates side-by-side a green-plated (private), Toyota Fortuner. Notice the difference in the placement of the Rizal monument.

Diplomatic/other exempted vehicle plates

Blue characters on a white background plates reserved for diplomats, embassy and consulate officials, country ambassadors and some expatriates such as scientists and researchers at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in the form of DDDD or DDDDD. Ambassadors' plates are always "1000" and used to have the country they represent at the bottom of the plate (i.e., not present anymore). These plates have a small decal on the bottom left part with a "CM".

1001 - 9999: a small decal on the bottom left part, displayed as "DC" for "diplomatic corps"
10000 - 25999: embassy vehicles - a small decal on the bottom left part displayed as "OEV" for "other exempted vehicle"

Public utility vehicles

Public utility plate.

Yellow plates (black characters on a yellow background) are in the form LLL DDD (1981 series) or LLL-DDDD (2014 series) and usually begin with either the letter "N" or "P" or "T" or "U" in NCR that was used in 1981 series plates. They always have either "V", "W", "X"(except U) or "Y" in the middle of the letter block. Older license plates starting with "N" and "P" may have other letters in the middle of the block, although the "V", "W", "X", "Y" letters are also present (from 1981 NVA-101 to early 1995 NYZ-999).

For 2014 series, beside the region of registration, the type of PUV is also indicated (e.g. NCR TAXI, R4A JEEPNEY, R8 PROV BUS).

Private vehicles

For private vehicles, the plate contains green-colored symbols on a white background (or reverse - white symbols on green background, used from 1989 to 1994) with the number format as "LLL-DDD (1981 series) or LLL-DDDD (2014 series).

On newer vehicles, the first letter usually indicates the region where the vehicle is registered. For example, if the plate begins with the letter "N", the vehicle is registered in the National Capital Region.

Trailers

Yellow, green or white plates that mostly have either "U" (Private) or "Z" (For Hire) in the middle of the letter block. e.g. CUU-482, NZB-263, BUA-5301

Electric vehicles

For electric vehicles, orange plates are used (white symbols on orange background).

Motorcycles

Private

Private motorcycle plate.

Green characters (1981 series) or black characters (2014 series) on a white background with the letters "MC" stamped on the upper left-hand corner next to the registration sticker. Usually in the format LL-DDDD (e.g. NK 9081) or LL-DDDDD (e.g. NA 25953), but with the rise in the number of motorcycles on the road, the DDDD-LL (e.g. 9081 NK) format has also come into use.

Public utility

Yellow characters on a black background. Same format as in private motorcycles. This plate is very rarely seen.

Diplomatic

Diplomatic motorcycles use the all-number plates (same for 4 wheels and up) instead of the aforementioned pattern for private, public utility and government ones, but with the same physical dimensions and the "MC" stamp.

Tricycles

Private

Green characters on a white background with the letters "MC" stamped on the upper left-hand corner next to the registration sticker. This is also rare because when a tricycle is purchased, its immediate use is to be a public transport vehicle and will be registered with black on yellow plates.

Public utility

Black characters on a yellow background with the letters "TC" stamped on the upper right-hand corner next to the registration sticker.

Department of Tourism accredited vehicles

Vehicles accredited by the Department of Tourism (usually tour buses and airport taxis) are issued plates that look similar to those of private vehicles, but have yellow highlights mixed with the green color and share the same first letter of current public utility vehicle plates. These vehicles must also have special stickers placed on the rear windows indicating that they are DOT-accredited.

For 2014 series, it now uses yellow plate, same as the PUV and the word TOURIST is indicated (e.g. NCR TOURIST).

Coding scheme

1981 Series Geographical designation

2014 Series Geographical designation

Year 2014 and onwards plate number letters are all the same throughout the Philippines in a series and combination, since the region where it is registered is now displayed in the new license plates at the bottom part.

Plate Numbers in National Capital Region

Private (plate series with approximate year issued):

1981 NA, NB, NC, ND, NE, NF, NG, NH, NJ, NK, NL, NM, NN, NP, NR, NS(A-D)
1982 NS(E-Z), NT, PA(A-X)
1983 PA(Y-Z), PB, PC, PD(A-P)
1984 PD(R-Z), PE, PF(A-H)
1985 PF(J-Z), PG(A-P)
1986 PG(R-Z), PH(A-K)
1987 PH(L-Z), PJ(A-J)
1988 PJ(K-Z), PK, PL(A-J)
1989 PL(K-Z), PM, PN, PP(A-L)
1990 PP(M-Z), PR, PS, PT(A-N)
1991 PT(P-Z), TA, TB, TC(A-S)
1992 TC(T-Z), TD, TE, TF(A-R)
1993 TF(S-Z), TG, TH, TJ, TK, TL(A-H)
1994 TL(J-Z), TM, TN, TP, TR, TT(A-N)
1995 TT(P-Z), UA(A-B), TS, UA(C-Z), UB, UC, UD, UE(A-X)
1996 UE(Y-Z), UF, UG, UH, UJ, UK, UL, UM, UN(A-N)
1997 UN(P-Z), UP, UR, US, UT, UU, WA, WB(A-K)
1998 WB(L-Z), WC, WD, WE, WF(A-S)
1999 WF(T-Z), WG, WH, WJ, WK, WL(A-B)
2000 WL(C-Z), WM, WN, WP, WR(A-K)
2001 WR(L-Z), WS, WT, XA, XB(A-S)
2002 XB(T-Z), XC, XD,XE(A)
2003 XE(B-Z), XF, XG, XH, XJ, XK, XL, XM(A-H)
2004 XM(J-Z), XN, XP, XR, XS(A-G)
2005 XS(H-Z), XT, ZA, ZB, ZC(A-B)
2006 ZC(C-Z), ZD, ZE, ZF, ZG(A-S)
2007 ZG(T-Z), ZH, ZJ, ZK, ZL(A-V)
2008 ZL(W-Z), ZM, ZN, ZP, ZR, ZS(A-U)
2009 ZS(V-Z), ZT, N(I), N(O), N(Q), NI(A-C), NZ(Q)
2010 NI(D-Z), NO, NQ, P(I), P(O), P(Q), PI(A-L)
2011 PI(M-Z), PO, PQ, T(I), T(O), T(Q), TI(A-F)
2012 TI(G-Z), TO, TQ, U(I), UI, U(O)
2013 Regular series: UO, U(Q), UQ, W(I), W(O), W(Q), WI(A-F)
Special plate series: VR(B-C), EB(W-Z), FJ(B-J), HB(E-G), MG(E-H)
2014 WI(G-Z), WO, WQ, AAA, AAH, AAI, AAJ, AAK, AAL, AAM, AAN, AAO, AAP, AAQ, AAW, AAX, AAY, AAZ, ABA, ACA, ADA, AEA, AFA
2015 AGA, AHA, AIA, AJA, AKA, ALA, AOA, APA, AQA, ARA, ASA, ATA, AVA, AWA, ABB, ABC, ABD, ABE, ABF, ABG, ABH, ABO, ABP, ABQ, ABR, ABS, ABT
2016 ACC, ACD, ACG, ACO, ACW, ACX, ACY, ACZ, ADG, ADH, ADM, ADN, ADO, ADP, ADQ, ADR, AEC, AED, AEE, AEF, AEG, AEH, AES

I, O and Q are previously not used to avoid confusion with the numbers "1" & "0". But with the exhaustion of the "Z" series in 2009, they are already used by reverting to the old "N" series. A new serial scheme is implemented using these characters, instead of the third letter coming into series (e.g. after ZAA-999 has been reached, ZAB-101) the middle letter is the one being replaced (e.g. after NAI-999 series has been exhausted, NBI-101 will follow). After all the possible combinations with I, O and Q as third letter for the same starting letter have been used, I, O and Q are used as middle letters and the third letter is being replaced (e.g. After NZQ-999 has been used, NIA-101 will follow), if the reverted letter is exhausted (e.g. After PQZ-999 has been used, TAI-101 will follow). During the span of 2013, some letter combinations (e.g. FJB-101) were also used in Metro Manila.
e.g. NUI-205, NJO-542, NBQ-217, NOR-686, NIA-101, NQZ-544, PXI-296, PSO-338, PQQ-332, PIK-342, POC-902, PQL-497, TZO-390, TIQ-486, TOL-979, TQH-924, UIP-207, UMI-615, UHO-571, UOG-874, UOS-648, UQF-281, UQO-289, UFO-392, UDQ-800, WAI-365, WOO-911, WEQ-451, WIC-143, WOP-723, WQL-851, AAJ-8557, ACA-2960, AEA-3274, AJA-8068, ARA-8235

Provincial Plate Numbers

Private (plate series with approximate year issued):

Region I/CAR AA, AB, AC(A-N)
Region II BA, BB(A-N)
Region III CA, CB, CC, CD, CE, CF, CG, CH, CJ(A-E)
Region IV DA, DB, DC, DD, DE, DF, DG(A-V)
Region V EA(A-U)
Region VI FA, FB, FC(A-S)
Region VII GA, GB, GC, GD(A-D)
Region VIII HA(A-M)
Region IX/ARMM JA(A-V)
Region X/XIII KA, KB(A-L)
Region XI LA, LB, LC(A-E)
Region XII MA(A-W)
Region I/CAR AC(P-Z), AD, AE(A-G)
Region II BB(P-Z), BC(A-L)
Region III CJ(F-Z), CK, CL, CM, CN, CP, CR(A-E)
Region IV DG(W-Z), DH, DJ, DK, DL, DM, DN, DP, DR, DS, DT
Region V EA(V-Z), EB(A-H)
Region VI FC(T-Z), FD, FE(A-E)
Region VII GD(E-Z), GE, GF, GG, GH, GJ, GK
Region VIII HA(N-Z)
Region IX/ARMM JA(W-Z), JB(A-E)
Region X/XIII KB(M-Z), KC(A-G)
Region XI LC(F-Z), LD(A-D)
Region XII MA(X-Z), MB(A-M)
Region I/CAR AE(H-S), AH(A-E, K-M)
Region II BC(M-Z), BD, BE(A-C)
Region III CR(F-Z), CS, CT, RA, RB, RC, RD, RE, RF, RG, RH, RJ
Region IV VA, VB, VC, VD, VE(A-E)
Region V EB(J-T)
Region VI FE(F-Z), FF, FG(A-N)
Region VII GL, GM, GN, GP, GR, GS, GT, YA, YB, YC, YD, YE, YF, YG, YH
Region VIII HB(A-D)
Region IX/ARMM JB(F-Z), JC, JD(A-G)
Region X/XIII KC(H-Z), KD, KE(A-H)
Region XI LD(E-Z), LE, LF, LG(A-M)
Region XII MB(N-Z), MC, MD, ME
Region I AE(T-Z), AF(A-G); AA(A, R-U), A(B, L, V)A, AB(I, V), AC(L, R), ADC, AEI (new plate series)
CAR AH(N-T); AA(K, U), A(D, Y)A, AB(N, V), AC(L, R), ADC, AEI (new plate series)
Region II BE(D-Z); AA(A, T), A(B, L, Y)A, AB(I, V), AC(L, R), ADC, AEI (new plate series)
Region III RK, RL, RM, RN(A-X); AA(B, Q-V), A(F, L-M, V-W)A, AB(B, I-K, V, W), AC(M-O, S), AD(B, I, X-Z), AE(B, J-L, Q-S)(new plate series)
Region IV VE(F-Z), VF(A-X), VR(A-C), AA(B-D, V, W), A(E, W, X)A, AB(B, K, L, W), AC(D-F, P, Q), AD(D, E, K, L), AE(B, L, M) (new plate series for Region IV-A)
Region V EB(U-V), EC(A-D), AAD, A(B, F, G, M, X)A, AB(L, X), AC(G, S), ADF, AEM (new plate series)
Region VI FG(P-Z), FH, FJ(A, K-M), AA(D, R), A(B, G, M, N)A, AB(C, M, X), AC(H, T), ADF (new plate series)
Region VII YH, YJ, YK, YL(A-Y); AA(D-F, Z), A(F, X)A, AB(C, M, N, X-Z), AC(H, I, T-V), AD(S, T), AE(N-O) (new plate series)
Region VIII HB(H-K), AA(F, W), AB(A, C), ACI, ADF (new plate series)
Region IX/ARMM JD(H-Z), JE, JF(A-P); AA(R, T), A(F, N, X, Y)A, ABU, ACI, ADU (new plate series for Region IX)
Region X/XIII KE(J-Z), KF, KG(A-H); AAL, ABB, ACK, ADW (new plate series for Region XIII); AA(F, R, U), A(N, Y)A, AB(B, U), ACJ, ADU (new plate series for Region X)
Region XI LG(N-Z), LH(A-P), LM(A-W); AA(F-H), A(B, N, O, Y)A, AB(C, D, Y), AC(B, C, J, K), AD(V, W), AEP (new plate series)
Region XII ME, MF, MG(A-D, J); AA(S, U), A(B, G, O, Y)A, AB(C, U, V), AC(C, K), ADW (new plate series)

Government Plate Numbers

1980s SA, SB, SC(A-T)
1990s SC(U-Z), SD, SE, SF (A-E)
2000s SF (F-Z), SG, SH, SJ (A-E)
2010 - 2014 SJ (F-Z), SK, SL (A-H)
2015–Present SAA, SAB, SAC (new plate series)

Motorcycle plate numbers (NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION)

Private Motorcycle (MC):

Private Motor Tricycle (TC)

Public Motor Tricycle (TC)

Motorcycle plate numbers (PROVINCIAL)

Private Motorcycle (MC):

Region I and CAR

Region II

Region III

Region IV-A and IV-B

Region V

Region VI

Region VII

Region VIII

Region IX

Region X and XIII

Region XI

Region XII

Private Motor Tricycle (TC)

Region I and CAR

Region II

Region III

Region IV

Region V

Region VI

Region VII

Region VIII

Region IX

Region X and XIII

Region XI

Region XII

Public Motor Tricycle (TC)

Region I and CAR

Region II

Region III

Region IV

Region V

Region VI

Region VII

Region VIII

Region IX

Region X and XIII

Region XI

Region XII

Special designation

e.g. NVA-101, UWN-999

e.g. AWC-101

e.g. AWD-101

e.g. AA 0001

e.g. SN-1001, 1001-SA

e.g. ZZI-101

e.g. SUA-101

Personalized plates

A motorist who would like to have personalized plates can have any letter combination he fancies upon three conditions:

  1. It is unique i.e., the plate does not have a registered duplicate anywhere else in the Philippines.
  2. The plate should not have the same format as government vehicles.
  3. The motorist can afford to pay its PHP 25,000 ($500+) price tag.

[8] [9] [10] [11]

Optional motor vehicle special plates (OMVSP)

A project of the Land Transportation Office since 2004, these plates are in the form of LLL DD. e.g. FPJ-22

See also

References

  1. ↑ LTO to issue new series of license plates in mid-2013. GMA News. February 22, 2013. Accessed January 6, 2015
  2. ↑ Padua, Reinir. LTO to issue plates with bar codes by June. The Philippine Star. February 26, 2013. Accessed January 6, 2015
  3. ↑ Dumaboc, Fe Marie. LTO to roll out new vehicle plates in January 2013. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 20, 2012. Accessed January 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ Get ready to scrap your car's license plates. BusinessWorld. Accessed January 6, 2015
  5. ↑ Agcaoili, Lawrence (February 23, 2014). "New license plates out April – DOTC". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  6. ↑ Joel Locsin (May 8, 2014). "LTO releases 1st batch of new license plates". GMA News. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  7. ↑ Ramirez, Robertzon (March 30, 2016). "LTO's 'Virtual Plates' Draw Flak from Netizens". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  8. ↑ http://www.lto.gov.ph/omvsp_insurance.html
  9. ↑ Optional Motor Vehicle Special Plates (OMVSP)
  10. ↑ http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/AS_PHIL.html License Plates of the World - Philippines
  11. ↑ http://plaque.free.fr/as/rp/ Pictures of Philippine license plates from Francoplaque
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