LTO to impound vehicles using improvised, replica plates starting September

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced Saturday that it will begin its crackdown next month on vehicles using unauthorized improvised or replica license plates.

“[Starting on] September 1, I will apprehend all of them [users]. If you do not have authorization, your vehicle will be impounded,” LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao said in a DZBB interview.

“If you have authorization, but you are using a plate that was purchased online and is an improvised one, regardless of who made it, I will confiscate that plate,” the assistant secretary added.

Lacanilao reiterated that the use of fake or improvised plates without authorization, including those used due to damaged plates, will result in the vehicle being impounded.

He noted, however, that if motorists have authorization but use prohibited replica or fake plates, only the plate will be confiscated.

The LTO also revealed a new modus following the agency’s requirement that improvised plates bear the words “LTO Improvised Plate” underneath.

The agency chief said that some sellers are now placing stickers over the required marking to sell the plates as legitimate-looking replicas.

“I will not allow that,” Lacanilao said, urging those involved to stop engaging in such illegal livelihood.

The LTO, meanwhile, advised vehicle owners who lose their license plates to file an affidavit of loss and apply for a replacement at an LTO office, which will issue authorization for the use of an improvised plate while awaiting the replacement.