LTO suspends order on temporary vehicle plates

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended its order prohibiting the use of temporary and improvised vehicle plates, which was set to take effect on November 1.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao stated that the agency needs to further review the policy to ensure fairness to vehicle owners still awaiting their official plates.

Lacanilao expressed concern that ordinary citizens and small delivery drivers could be unfairly penalized if they haven't yet received their official plates.

The suspension covers the P5,000 fine for motorists using improvised or temporary plates, though motorists without plates are still reminded to secure proper authorization from the LTO before traveling.

In a separate development, Lacanilao also ordered the immediate surrender of a luxury vehicle involved in an assault on a government official, issuing a show cause order to the registered owner.

The LTO also suspended a policy requiring car dealers to release license plates and OR/CR on the same day new vehicles are turned over to owners, both directives previously implemented by former LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II.