Vehicle registration plates of the Philippines

Vehicle registration plates in the Philippines, commonly known as license plates (Filipino: plaka), are issued and regulated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), a government agency under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

CountryPhilippines
Current series
Size390 mm × 140 mm
15.4 in × 5.5 in
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC 1234
IntroducedJuly 2018
(6 years ago)
 (2018-07)
Availability
Issued byLand Transportation Office
History
First issued1912 (1912)

History

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In January 2013, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) began a license plate standardization project by issuing plates with modern security features, including holograms and bar codes. They also planned to slowly phase out the old 1981 plate format. In the current format, the LTO issues LLL-DDDD plates (where L represents a letter and D represents a one-digit number) for four-wheel vehicles and DDD-LLL/L-DDD-LL plates for motorcycles.

 
The then-new license plate designs first issued in 2014.

In 2016, the LTO issued "virtual plates" as a temporary measure to address the backlog in physical license plates. New vehicles were issued a virtual identification consisting of a combination of alphanumeric symbols, which will make it easier for the LTO to release the permanent license plates once they were available.[1] In August 2017, the Department of Transportation selected the winning bidder under the government's "Moving Forward Program" to reduce the backlog of 3.4 million plates spanning from July 2016 to December 2017.

In January 2018, the Supreme Court ordered the release of license plates held due to restraining orders saddling the plate modernization program. It was expected that the distribution of new plates would commence at full swing by mid-February 2018. The machines were delivered to the LTO in February 2018 and were installed in a new plate making facility. The new license plates were released in July 2018 throughout the country. Under this new plate series, the first letter of the license plate will determine where the vehicle is registered. This is the same designation that was implemented during the 1981 series.[2]

 
Proposed design for Automobile Vehicle Registration Plate back in 2013.

Current plate design specifications

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Plate number dimension and font style

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The current version of the license plates measure 390 mm wide and 140 mm high, while current motorcycle plates released since 2020 measure 235 mm wide and 135 mm high. The characters are stamped on an aluminum plate, which is then painted with reflective paint. FE-Schrift was chosen as the font to be used on license plates in 2018 as the characters are designed to be difficult to modify.[3] Before 1981, the Philippines used the North American standard measuring 300 × 150 mm (12 × 6 inches) for cars and trucks.[4]

Registration area prefixes

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After the release of the new plate number design in 2018, all virtual and temporary plates that were issued from July 2016 to December 2017 using the 2014 series design were updated to 2018's alphabetical designation.[5][6] The first letter in the 2018 automobile plate number design represents the prefix, which denotes the region where the vehicle was registered. The letter S is used to indicate a government-owned vehicle.

Automobile and motorcycle plate number prefixes in the 2018 series
Prefix Region
B Cagayan Valley
C, R, W Central Luzon
D, O Calabarzon
E Bicol Region
F Western Visayas
G Central Visayas
H Eastern Visayas
I, A* (*motorcycles only) Ilocos Region
J Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro
K Northern Mindanao
L Davao Region
M Soccsksargen
N, P, Q, T, U, X National Capital Region
V Mimaropa
Y Cordillera Administrative Region
Z Caraga

Vehicle classification by color scheme (2018 design)

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Pattern Color Class Description Image
PBC 1234

123PBC P123BC P1234C

Black text on white background Private vehicles Private vehicles, not for commercial use    
PBV 1234 123PVBP123VB Green text on white background Electric/hybrid vehicles Private electric and/or hybrid vehicles, not for commercial use    
PBC 1234

123PBC P123BC

Black text on Yellow background Public utility
vehicles
Public utility vehicles and other for-hire vehicles (e.g. commercial trucks, public transport buses, taxis and jeepneys.)
SBC 1234

123SBC S123BC

Red text on white background Government
vehicles
Vehicles for official government use (e.g.; police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks).    
000 0000 Blue text on white background Diplomatic vehicles Vehicles in diplomatic use
  • 7 digit new diplomatic license plate with blue numbers on a white background.
  • The first 3 digits of the plate will indicate the assigned number of the country, diplomatic missions, consular missions, and international organization.
 

Vehicle classification by second and third letter

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The second letter on the number plate classifies special types of vehicles, such as trailers, electric, hybrid, and vintage vehicles.

Vehicles
Classification Position of letter assignment Example Color
Private Trailers Second letter is U NUA 1234 Black text on white background
Electric vehicle Second letter may be from A to M

Third letter may be the following: V, W, X, Y, Z

NHV 1234

NIV 5678

NGV 9012

Green text on white background
Hybrid vehicle Second letter may be from N to Z

Third letter may be the following: V, W, X, Y, Z

JNW 4321

CRW 8765

NNV 2109

Green text on white background
Vintage vehicle Last two letters are the following: TX, TY, TZ NTX 9876

BTY 5432

GTZ 1098

Black text on white background with byline. (e.g. vintage vehicle 1960)
Motorcycles
Classification Position of letter assignment Example
Electric vehicle Second letter may be from V, W, X, Y, Z

Third letter may be the following: A to M

D123VB

J209XK N124YM

Hybrid vehicle Second letter may be from V, W, X, Y, Z

Third letter may be the following: N to Z

N583ZZ

C789WO G897VQ

Vintage vehicle Last two letters are the following: TX, TY, TZ P123TX

N921TY K388TZ

Motorcycle classification by color strip and position

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Motorcycle registration plates released since 2020 features color-coded strips to indicate the region where they are registered, in addition to the registration area prefixes.[7]

Strip color Strip position Region Image
None - National Capital Region  
Pink Top Cordillera Administrative Region  
Bottom Caraga  
Green Top Ilocos Region  
Bottom Eastern Visayas  
Gray Top Bicol Region  
Bottom Northern Mindanao  
Blue Top Central Luzon  
Bottom Davao Region  
Purple Top Calabarzon  
Bottom Western Visayas  
Orange Top Mimaropa  
Bottom Central Visayas  
Red Top Cagayan Valley  
Bottom Zamboanga Peninsula  
Brown Bottom Soccsksargen  

Special plate number designs

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High-ranking government plates

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Known officially as low-numbered (protocol) license plates, these are reserved for top government officials of the Republic of the Philippines, and have the same paint scheme as private vehicles.[8]

Plate Officials
1 President
2 Vice President
3 President of the Senate
4 Speaker of the House of Representatives
5 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
6 Cabinet Secretaries
7 Senators
8 Representatives (Congressmen)
9 Associate Justices of the Supreme Court
10 Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan and Solicitor General
11 Chairperson of Constitutional Commissions and Ombudsman
14 Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chief of the Philippine National Police

The official LTO website lists plate 16 for Regional Trial Court justices and plate 17 for first level courts, including Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in cities and Sha 'ria Circuit Courts for the use of assistant city prosecutors, district prosecutors and chief city prosecutors.

Associate justices of the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals and Sandiganbayan may also be allowed to use protocol plates upon the recommendation of the LTO and the approval of the DOTr.

Diplomatic plates

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An example design of the new current diplomatic plates since 2022.[9]

The new diplomatic license plate contains seven numeric characters that are in blue with a white background. These plates are assigned to foreign diplomats, members of diplomatic missions, and international organizations in the Philippines. In October 2022 the LTO and DFA released these new diplomatic plates replacing the older ones, however, the old diplomatic plates and other exempted vehicles (OEV) plates can be still used and they will only be valid up to September 2023.[9]

The first 3 digits of the plate will indicate the assigned number of the country, and international organizations that are based in the Philippines. For example; 003 0045 is an assigned number to Australia. The next 4 digits of the plate are randomized registration digits and are assigned by the LTO and DFA, however, the 1000 number will always be assigned and reserved for the ambassadors.

The list below are the assigned number of each countries and organizations on new diplomatic license plates. The orders of the list are based on when the diplomatic relations started.

The list of the assigned number of each country.
Number Country Number Country Number Country Number Country
001   Vatican City 021   Turkey 041   European Union 061   United Arab Emirates
002   Egypt 022   Thailand 042   Sovereign Military Order of Malta 062   Oman
003   Australia 023   Pakistan 043   Malaysia 063   Qatar
004   Belgium 024   Iran 044   New Zealand 064   Brunei
005   Brazil 025   Canada 045   Venezuela 065   Ireland
006   Chile 026   India 046   Singapore 066   South Africa
007   Switzerland 027   Greece 047   Saudi Arabia 067   Palau
008   United Kingdom 028   Netherlands 048   Bangladesh 068   Angola
009   United States 029   Mexico 049   Romania 069   Timor-Leste
010   Colombia 030   Germany 050   Panama 070   Bahrain
011   Denmark 031   Laos 051   Hungary
012   Austria 032   Finland 052   Czech Republic
013   Sweden 033   Japan 053   Iraq
014   Spain 034   Myanmar 054   China
015   France 035   Israel 055   Morocco
016   Italy 036   Cambodia 056   Papua New Guinea
017   Argentina 037   Palestine 057   Russia
018   Norway 038   Sri Lanka 058   Vietnam
019   Indonesia 039   Nigeria 059   Libya
020   South Korea 040   Poland 060   Kuwait
The list of the assigned number of International Organizations.
Number Organization Number Organization Number Organization
200 Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines 210 United Nations Information Centres 220 United Nations Development Programme
201 United Nations 211 United States Agency for International Development 221 International Rice Research Institute
202 World Bank 212 International Monetary Fund 222 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
203 International Labour Organization 213 United Nations Population Fund 223 United Nations Industrial Development Organization
204 Food and Agriculture Organization 214 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 224 Japan Bank for International Cooperation
205 Asian Development Bank 215 International Committee of the Red Cross 225 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
206 Australian Aid 216 International Organization for Migration 300 -
207 World Food Programme 217 International Finance Corporation
208 World Health Organization 218 Canadian International Development Agency
209 UNICEF 219 Japan International Cooperation Agency

Former head of state

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A former president's vehicle bears the number 100 in blue letters.

Personalized plates

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A motorist who would like to have personalized plates under the Optional Motor Vehicle Special Plate (OMVSP) can choose any letter combination upon these conditions:

  1. It is unique i.e., the plate does not have a registered duplicate anywhere else in the Philippines.
  2. The plate is not in the same with government plates.
  3. The motorist pays a minimum of ₱5,000 fee depending on the combinations.
  4. The plates may only be issued to private cars, sports utility vehicles (SUV), Asian utility vehicles (AUV), sports pick-ups, and commuter vans.[10]
Combination Fee Image
Three-letter, two-number plate (except 00) ₱25,000  
Three-letter, three-number plate (except 000) ₱15,000  
Three-letter, four-number plate (except 0000) ₱35,000  

[11][12][13][14]

Temporary plate numbers

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Conduction stickers

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An example of a conduction sticker

The conduction stickers are temporary identification issued to vehicles in lieu of license plates while the official license plate are in production. Started in the 1980s, there are different digit and letter positions that have been produced over time.

Years Conduction sticker style Examples Background Color
1987–1995 DDD-LL 855SH
235SF
1993–2005 DD-LLL 30SNK
22SRW
Red
2003–2018 LL-DDDD BX8032
VH2637
White (2003-2012)
Yellow (2012-present)
2017–present LD-LDDD Y1L350
A6J238
Yellow
2023–present LL-DDDL GD776A
DH705A
Yellow

Motor vehicle file number

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The motor vehicle file number for each vehicle has 15 digits, which are based on where the initial registration of the vehicle was carried out. (e.g. MV file no. 1301-00000012345 registered in NCR).

Region MV file no. Temporary plate

Number (PUVs)

NCR 13**-***********

18**-***********

13****

18****

CAR
14**-*********** 14****
Region I 01**-*********** 01****
Region II 02**-*********** 02****
Region III 03**-*********** 03****
Region IV-A 04**-*********** 04****
Region V 05**-*********** 05****
Region VI 06**-*********** 06****
Region VII 07**-*********** 07****
Region VIII 08**-*********** 08****
Region IX 09**-*********** 09****
BARMM 17**-*********** 17****
Region X 10**-*********** 10****
Region XI 11**-*********** 11****
Region XII 12**-*********** 12****
Region XIII 30**-***********

15**-***********

30****

15****

LTO-authorized 6-digit temporary plate number

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The temporary plate number was later issued by LTO, which has 6 digits based on where the initial purchase location of the vehicle was and its use as a PUV. (e.g. 130123 for NCR use). It is widely used due to extensive backlog of vehicle plate distribution from 2016 to 2019.

Public utility vehicles registered from July 1, 2016, onwards currently use private plates (white), MV File Number or the 6-digit Temporary Plate Number since yellow plates are in production.

Government vehicles registered from 2020 onwards currently use private plates (white). In November 2021 the LTO have already released new red plates for government vehicles registered from 2016 to 2019. In 2024, the LTO released the new series of red plates for government vehicles which indicate the second letter as the region where they were registered (e.g. SNA for Metro Manila; SDA for Calabarzon).

Former plate number designs still in use

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2014 series

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Plate number design

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The 2014 design, in production from 2014, used the numbering format LLL-DDDD for automobile vehicles, and LL-DDDDD for motorcycles. In this format, the region in which the vehicle is registered is stamped on the bottom of the plate, thereby removing the need for registration area prefixes (except for motorcycles).

The new plate format series and design was originally scheduled for release on September or October 2013.[15][16][17][18] However, it was delayed several times primarily due to concerns about the release of funds for the license plate project, as well as the increase in purchases of new cars using temporary license plates bearing the conduction sticker number.[19] Eventually, in May 2014, the first batch of new license plates was released.[20] By January 2015, vehicle owners using the 1981 series plates were required to pay 450 to change their old plates into a modern series plate.

Vehicle classification by color scheme (2014–2015 design)

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Pattern Color Class Description Image
ABC 1234

AB 12345

Black text on White background Private Vehicles Private vehicles, not for commercial use    
ABC 1234

AB 12345

Black text on Yellow background Public utility
vehicles
Public utility vehicles and other for-hire vehicles (e.g.; Commercial trucks, public transport buses, taxis & jeepneys.)    
SBC 1234

SA 12345

Red text on White background Government
vehicles
Vehicles for official government use (e.g.; police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks).    
00000 Blue text on White background Diplomatic vehicles Vehicles in diplomatic use
  • 4 digit diplomatic license plates with blue numbers on a white background are in embassy use.
  • 5 digit diplomatic license plates with black numbers on a blue background are in diplomat use.
 

1981 series

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Plate number design

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The 1981 design was the most widely used plate number design, in production from 1981 to 2014. LTO issued the numbering format LLL-DDD for automobile vehicles, and LL-DDDD and DDDD-LL for motorcycles. Color-coded year stickers appeared in 1982, based on the license plate's color scheme. Stickers for vehicle classification appeared in the same year.

Registration area prefix

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The first letter in the 1981 series of license plates represents the prefix, which denotes the following region where the vehicle was registered. The letter S is used to indicate a government-owned vehicle.

Prefix Region
A Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region
B Cagayan Valley
C Central Luzon
D Calabarzon and Mimaropa
E Bicol Region
F Western Visayas
G Central Visayas
H Eastern Visayas
J Zamboanga Peninsula and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
K Northern Mindanao
L Davao Region and Caraga
M Soccsksargen
N National Capital Region
P
R Central Luzon
T National Capital Region
U
V Calabarzon and Mimaropa
W National Capital Region
X
Y Central Visayas
Z National Capital Region

The letters I and O were not used in plates as the prefix to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0. In 2009, they are displayed either in the middle or end, which is exclusively for private vehicles.

The letter Q was also used on regular plate circulation for motorcycles in public use. In 2009, it was used as a middle or last letter for NCR plates, while it was used as a last letter for Central Visayas plates.

Vehicle classification by second letter

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The second letter on the number plate classifies whether the vehicle is a wheeled trailer or an automobile. It is also used to classify whether the vehicle is private or public use. Letter U in the second letter represents a privately used trailer, while Z represents a publicly used trailer. Letters V, W, X and Y were used to indicate public utility vehicles. On the motorcycle license plates, U and Z represent private use for three-wheeled motorcycles, while V, W, X and Y represent public use in all types of motorcycles.

Vehicle classification by paint scheme

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  • Green on White: The most common type of registration plate, for privately owned vehicles. White background replaced by Rizal Monument in 2002 for automobiles.
  • Black on Yellow: Commercial vehicle or public utility vehicles
  • Red on White: Government-owned vehicles. Color white replaced by Rizal Monument in 2003 for automobiles.
  • Blue on White: Vehicles in Diplomatic Use and Other Exempted Vehicles. Color white replaced by Rizal Monument placed in left side in 2002 for automobiles.

Inscriptions

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  • PILIPINAS ("Philippines", the most common inscription, in production 1981–1995, 2001–2003 for private and government vehicles, 2001–2014 for commercial and public utility vehicles)
  • PHILIPPINES 2000 (1995–2000)
  • ANGAT PINOY 2004 ("Rising Filipino 2004", in production 2000–2001)
  • PILIPINAS - PERLAS NG SILANGAN ("Pearl of the Orient", in production 2002)
  • MATATAG NA REPUBLIKA ("Strong Republic", in production 2003 – April 12, 2014, for private, tourist and government vehicles)
  • MC (used for private motorcycles, placed in top left)
  • TC (used for motorcycles and tricycles in public use or for-hire, placed in top left)

Vehicle classification by color scheme (1981–2014 design)

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Pattern Color Class Description Image
ABC 123

AB 1234 (Motorcycles)

1234 AB (Motorcycles)

Green text on White background (1981-2002);

White text on Green background (rear only from 1988 to 1995);

Green text on Rizal monument background (2002-2014)

Private

vehicles

Private vehicles, not for commercial use  
PVA 123

PV 1234 (Motorcycles)

1234 PV (Motorcycles)

Black text on Yellow background (1981-1992; 1995-2014);

Yellow text on Black background (1992-1995)

Black text on Rizal monument background with yellow hue (Tourist vehicles)

Public utility

vehicles

Public utility vehicles and other for-hire vehicles (e.g.; Commercial trucks, public transport buses, taxis & jeepneys.  
SBC 123

SB 1234 (Motorcycles)

1234 SB (Motorcycles)

Red text on White background (1981-2003);

White text on Red background (rear only from 1989 to 1995);

Red text on Rizal monument background (2002-2014)

Government

vehicles

Vehicles for official government use (e.g.; police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks).  
1000

10000

Blue text on White background (1981-1989; 1995-2003);

White text on Blue background (1989-1995);

Blue text on Rizal Monument background (2003-2014)

Diplomatic

vehicles

Vehicles in diplomatic use
  • 4 digit diplomatic license plates with blue numbers on a white background are in embassy use.
  • 5 digit diplomatic license plates with black numbers on a blue background are in diplomat use.
 
GOB 123 Red text on Yellow background (1981-2014);

Yellow text on Red background (rear only from 1989 to 1995)

Official

bus

Buses for official government use

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ramirez, Robertzon (March 30, 2016). "LTO's 'Virtual Plates' Draw Flak from Netizens". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  2. ^ "Finally, LTO begins releasing 2016 vehicle plates". The Philippine Star.
  3. ^ "LTO Marks 106th Anniversary with Inauguration of Plate Making Plant".
  4. ^ "World License Plates: Philippines". World License Plates.
  5. ^ [1]. LTO. June 28, 2018. Accessed October 16, 2018
  6. ^ [2] Archived October 17, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. CNN Philippines. April 10, 2018. Accessed October 16, 2018
  7. ^ "LTO releases first batch of new motorcycle plates". August 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "Executive Order No. 56, s. 2024" (PDF). Official Gazette.
  9. ^ a b Joseph Pedrejas (December 2, 2022). "New license plates for diplomats in PH launched". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "FAQ ON OPTIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE SPECIAL PLATES (OMVSP)".
  11. ^ "The Land Transportation Office of the Philippines". Archived from the original on March 16, 2005. Retrieved May 7, 2005.
  12. ^ "Optional Motor Vehicle Special Plates (OMVSP)". Archived from the original on March 16, 2005. Retrieved May 7, 2005.
  13. ^ License Plates of the World – Philippines
  14. ^ http://plaque.free.fr/as/rp/ Archived July 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Pictures of Philippine license plates from Francoplaque
  15. ^ LTO to issue new series of license plates in mid-2013. GMA News. February 22, 2013. Accessed January 6, 2015
  16. ^ Padua, Reinir. LTO to issue plates with bar codes by June. The Philippine Star. February 26, 2013. Accessed January 6, 2015
  17. ^ Dumaboc, Fe Marie. LTO to roll out new vehicle plates in January 2013. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 20, 2012. Accessed January 6, 2014.
  18. ^ Get ready to scrap your car's license plates Archived July 26, 2013, at archive.today. BusinessWorld. Accessed January 6, 2015
  19. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (February 23, 2014). "New license plates out April – DOTC". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  20. ^ Joel Locsin (May 8, 2014). "LTO releases 1st batch of new license plates". GMA News. Retrieved January 6, 2015.