Lesson 3.

Registration of Motor Vehicles

Concept

RA 4136, mandates that all motor vehicles shall be registered by its owner before the designated District
Offices of the Land Transportation Office. Law enforcement officers should keep themselves abreast
with the proper procedures of registering motor vehicles for them to easily identify unregistered motor
vehicles or motor vehicles having expired registrations.

On the other hand, motor vehicle owners as well as drivers should be aware of the provisions on motor
vehicle registration to avoid unnecessary delays and penalties whenever registration-related
apprehensions occur. Again, for complete information, see the appended RA 4136.

A. Classification of Registered Motor Vehicles

1. Private (not for hire) – These are motor vehicles used for the personal use of their owners.
2. Public Utility Vehicles (PUV aka for hire) - These are registered primarily for the conveyance of
passengers and other commercial goods, i.e, passenger jeepneys, taxi cabs, etc.
3. Government – These are motor vehicles owned by government offices and are used for official
purposes only.
4. Diplomat – These are issued to foreign diplomats and consuls assigned in the Philippines.
B. Plate Numbers – Upon registration, motor vehicles are assigned with plate numbers. The letter and
numeral prefixes as well as the assigned colors are based on the date and place of registrations and
purpose of the registered motor vehicle.
1. Private or not for hire MVs - Green with white background, on newer vehicles, the first letter
usually indicates the region where the vehicle is registered. For example, beginning with “N”,
the vehicle is registered in the National Capital Region (NCR)
2. Public Utility Vehicles or for hire MVs - black with yellow background usually begin with either
the letter “N” or “P” or “T” or “U” in NCR. Since 1995, they always have either “V”, “W”, “X”, “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
late 70’s NVA-101 to early 1995 NYZ-999)
3. Government MVs – Red (maroon) with white background – usually starts with letter “S”.
4. Diplomatic or other exempted MVs – 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 five
or six digits.
a. Ambassadors’ plates are always “1000”and have the country they represent at the
bottom of the plate. These plates have small decal on the bottom left part with a “CM”.
b. 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
“EOV” for “other exempted vehicle”
5. Trailers – these have yellow or green plates that mostly have either “U” (private) or “Z” (for hire)
in the middle of the letter block.
6. Electric vehicles – orange plated are used (white symbols on orange background)
 7. Motorcycles – Private motorcycles have green characters on a white background with the letters
“MC” stamped on the upper left-hand corner next to the registration sticker. Usually in the format
AA 1111, but with the rise in the number of motorcycles on the road, the 1111 AA format has also
come into use.
8. Tricycles – Private has green characters on a white background with the letters “MC” stamped on
the upper left-hand corner next to the registration sticker. This is very rare since tricycles are usually
bought for-hire. For the public utility, it has black characters on a yellow background with the letters
“TC” stamped on the upper right-hand corner next to the registration sticker.
9. Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited vehicles – these are usually tour buses and airport taxis
which are issued with 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 PUVs plates. A must special
sticker indicating that they are DOT-accredited is placed on the rear windows.
10. Optional Motor Vehicle Special Plates (OMVSP) - A project of the LTO since 2004, in the form of
3-letter 2-number. E.g. DGD 24
11. Personalized (Vanity Plates) – anyone desiring to his own personalized must consider the
following:
a. Uniqueness – the plate does not have a registered duplicate anywhere else in the Philippines.
b. It should not have the same format as government vehicles.
c. Price –
1. Premium Edition (EX. 111 ABC) – P 15,000
2. Select Edition (EX. DARLIT) – P10,000
12. Commemorative plate – These special plate numbers are issued for specific purposes such as
fund-raising for government projects and programs.
C. Dimensions and medium
1. Tagalog: plaka which measures 390 x 140 mm
2. Characters are stamped on an aluminum plate which is then applied with reflectorized paint.
3. 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 which was replaced in 2003 with a
reflectorized, printed color sticker of the statute to Jose Rizal.
4. In 2008, all plates are produced by a sole, privately funded manufacturer in Manila.
5. Slogan on the bottom plate usually reflects the goals campaign of the incumbent President
which was began under President Fidel V. Ramos.
a. Fidel V. Ramos - “Philippines 2000”
b. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo – “Matatag na Republika” (Strong Republic)
6. Until 2004, plates also bore the word “Pilipinas” at the bottom
7. Common Inscription
a. Pilipinas (the most common inscription; 1981-1995,2001,2002-2003,2004-present)
b. Philippines 2000 (1995-2000)
c. Angat Pinoy 2004 (“Raise Pinoy 2004”; 2000-2001)
d. Perlas ng Silangan (“Pearl of the Orient”; 2001-2002)
e. Matatag na Republika - (2003 – present)
8. Typeface. Numerous typefaces are used but the current typeface was first implemented in
1981 which is loosely based on the Australian license plate system with some slight variations on
the front design since then.
D. Geographical Designations of Plate Numbers. Geographical designations of registered motor vehicles
can be determined by the beginning letter.
"A" – Region I (Ilocos Region) and CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)
"B" – Region II (Cagayan Valley Region) 1981–2014
"C" – Region III (Central Luzon Region 1981–2003, Superseded by "R" in September 2003 to April 2014
"D" – Region IV-A (Calabarzon) 1981–2000, Superseded by "V" in May 2000 – April 2014
"E" – Region V (Bicol Region) 1981–2014
"F" – Region VI (Western Visayas Region) 1981–2014
"G" – Region VII (Central Visayas Region), 1981–2004, Superseded by "Y" in August 2004 – April 2014,
"H" – Region VIII (Eastern Visayas Region), 1981–2014
"J" – Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) and ARMM, 1981–2014
"K" – Region X (Northern Mindanao), 1981–2014
"L" – Regions XI (Davao Region) 1981-2014/ Region XIII (CARAGA)
"M" – Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), 1981–2014
"N" – National Capital Region, July 1, 1981 – September 1982, June 2009 – May 2010 (with increments
of "I", "O", and "Q")
"P" – National Capital Region, September 1982 – March 1991, May 2010 – June 2011 (with increments
of "I", "O", and "Q")
"R" – Region III (Central Luzon Region), overflow Series for Private since September 2003 – April 2014
"S" – Government-owned (Red Plate) Vehicles, 1981–2014, April 2014-onwards
"T" – National Capital Region, March 1991 – April 1995, June 2011 – July 2012 (with increments of "I",
"O", and "Q")
"U" – National Capital Region, February 1995 – March 1995, April 1995 – August 1997, July 2012 – June
2013 (with increments of "I", "O", and "Q")
"V" – Regions IV-A (Calabarzon) and IV-B (Mimaropa), overflow Series for Private since May 2000 – April
2014 / Region IV-B (Mimaropa)
"W" – National Capital Region, August 1997 – June 2001, June 2013 – April 12, 2014 (with increments of
"I", "O", and "Q")
"X" – National Capital Region, June 2001 – June 2005
"Y" – Region VII (Central Visayas Region), overflow series for Private since August 2004 – April 2014
"Z" – National Capital Region, June 2005 – June 2009

E. Approximate Year of Issuance

1981 NAA-NAH, NAJ-NAN, NAP, NAR-NAZ, NBA-NBH, NBJ-NBN, NBP, NBR-NBZ, NCA-NCH, NCJ-NCN,
NCP, NCR-NCZ, NDA-NDH, NDJ-NDN, NDP, NDR-NDZ, NEA-NEH, NEJ-NEN, NEP, NER-NEZ, NFA-NFH, NFJ-
NFN, NFP, NFR-NFZ, NGA-NGH, NGJ-NGN, NGP, NGR-NGZ, NHA-NHH, NHJ-NHN, NHP, NHR-NHZ, NJA-
NJH, NJJ-NJN, NJP, NJR-NJZ, NKA-NKH, NKJ-NKN, NKP, NKR-NKZ, NLA-NLH, NLJ-NLN, NLP, NLR-NLZ, NMA-
NMH, NMJ-NMN, NMP, NMR-NMZ, NNA-NNH, NNJ-NNN, NNP, NNR-NNZ, NPA-NPH, NPJ-NPN, NPP,
NPR-NPZ, NRA-NRH, NRJ-NRN, NRP, NRR-NRZ, NSA-NSD
1982 NSE-NSH, NSJ-NSN, NSP, NSR-NSZ, NTA-NTH, NTJ-NTN, NTP, NTR-NTZ; PAA-PAH, PAJ-PAN, PAP,
PAR-PAX
1983 PAY-PAZ, PBA-PBH, PBJ-PBN, PBP, PBR-PBZ, PCA-PCH, PCJ-PCN, PCP, PCR-PCZ, PDA-PDH, PDJ-
PDN, PDP
1984 PDR-PDZ, PEA-PEH, PEJ-PEN, PEP, PER-PEZ, PFA-PFH
1985 PFJ-PFN, PFP, PFR-PFZ, PGA-PGH, PGJ-PGN, PGP
1986 PGR-PGZ, PHA-PHH, PHJ-PHK
1987 PHL-PHN, PHP, PHR-PHZ, PJA-PJH, PJJ
1988 PJK-PJN, PJP, PJR-PJZ, PKA-PKH, PKJ-PKN, PKP, PKR-PKZ, PLA-PLH, PLJ
1989 PLK-PLN, PLP, PLR-PLZ, PMA-PMH, PMJ-PMN, PMP, PMR-PMZ, PNA-PNH, PNJ-PNN, PNP, PNR-
PNZ, PPA-PPH, PPJ-PPL
1990 PPM-PPN, PPP, PPR-PPZ, PRA-PRH, PRJ-PRN, PRP, PRR-PRZ, PSA-PSH, PSJ-PSN, PSP, PSR-PSZ,
PTA-PTH, PTJ-PTN
1991 PTP, PTR-PTZ; TAA-TAD, TAE-TAH, TAJ-TAN, TAP, TAR-TAZ, TBA-TBH, TBJ-TBN, TBP, TBR-TBZ,
TCA-TCH, TCJ-TCN, TCP, TCR-TCS
1992 TCT-TCZ, TDA-TDH, TDJ-TDN, TDP, TDR-TDZ, TEA-TEH, TEJ-TEN, TEP, TER-TEZ, TFA-TFH, TFJ-TFN,
TFP, TFR
1993 TFS-TFZ, TGA-TGH, TGJ-TGN, TGP, TGR-TGZ, THA-THH, THJ-THN, THP, THR-THZ, TJA-TJH, TJJ-TJN,
TJP, TJR-TJZ, TKA-TKH, TKJ-TKN, TKP, TKR-TKZ, TLA-TLH
1994 TLJ-TLN, TLP, TLR-TLZ, TMA-TMH, TMJ-TMN, TMP, TMR-TMZ, TNA-TNH, TNJ-TNN, TNP, TNR-TNZ,
TPA-TPH, TPJ-TPN, TPP, TPR-TPZ, TRA-TRH, TRJ-TRN, TRP, TRR-TRZ, TTA-TTH, TTJ-TTN, TTP
1995 TTR-TTZ; UAA, UAB, TSA-TSH, TSJ-TSN, TSP, TSR-TSZ; UAC-UAH, UAJ-UAN, UAP, UAR-UAZ, UBA-
UBH, UBJ-UBN, UBP, UBR-UBZ, UCA-UCH, UCJ-UCN, UCP, UCR-UCZ, UDA-UDH, UDJ-UDN, UDP, UDR-
UDZ, UEA-UEH, UEJ-UEN, UEP, UER-UEX
1996 UEY-UEZ, UFA-UFH, UFJ-UFN, UFP, UFR-UFZ, UGA-UGH, UGJ-UGN, UGP, UGR-UGZ, UHA-UHH,
UHJ-UHN, UHP, UHR-UHZ, UJA-UJH, UJJ-UJN, UJP, UJR-UJZ, UKA-UKH, UKJ-UKN, UKP, UKR-UKZ, ULA-
ULH, ULJ-ULN, ULP, ULR-ULZ, UMA-UMH, UMJ-UMN, UMP, UMR-UMZ, UNA-UNE
1997 UNF-UNH, UNJ-UNN, UNP, UNR-UNZ, UPA-UPH, UPJ-UPN, UPP, UPR-UPZ, URA-URH, URJ-URN,
URP, URR-URZ, USA-USH, USJ-USN, USP, USR-USZ, UTA-UTH, UTJ-UTN, UTP, UTR-UTZ, UUA-UUH, UUJ-
UUN, UUP, UUR-UUZ; WAA-WAH, WAJ-WAN, WAP, WAR-WAZ, WBA-WBH
1998 WBJ-WBN, WBP, WBR-WBZ, WCA-WCH, WCJ-WCN, WCP, WCR-WCZ, WDA-WDH, WDJ-WDN,
WDP, WDR-WDZ, WEA-WEH, WEJ-WEN, WEP, WER-WEZ, WFA-WFH, WFJ-WFN, WFP
1999 WFR-WFZ, WGA-WGH, WGJ-WGN, WGP, WGR-WGZ, WHA-WHH, WHJ-WHN, WHP, WHR-WHZ,
WJA-WJH, WJJ-WJN, WJP, WJR-WJZ, WKA-WKH, WKJ-WKN, WKP, WKR-WKZ, WLA-WLH
2000 WLJ-WLN, WLP, WLR-WLZ, WMA-WMH, WMJ-WMN, WMP, WMR-WMZ, WNA-WNH, WNJ-
WNN, WNP, WNR-WNZ, WPA-WPH, WPJ-WPN, WPP, WPR-WPZ, WRA-WRH, WRJ-WRN, WRP
2001 WRR-WRZ, WSA-WSH, WSJ-WSN, WSP, WSR-WSZ, WTA-WTH, WTJ-WTN, WTP, WTR-WTZ; XAA-
XAH, XAJ-XAN, XAP, XAR-XAZ, XBA-XBH, XBJ-XBN
2002 XBP, XBR-XBZ, XCA-XCH, XCJ-XCN, XCP, XCR-XCZ, XDA-XDH, XDJ-XDN, XDP, XDR-XDZ, XEA, XFA,
XGA, XEB-XEH, XEJ-XEN, XEP, XER-XEZ, XFB-XFH, XFJ-XFN, XFP, XFR-XFZ, XGB-XGH, XGJ-XGN, XGP, XGR-
XGT
2003 XGU-XGZ, XHA-XHH, XHJ, XHN, XHP, XHR-XHZ, XJA-XJH, XJJ-XJN, XJP, XJR-XJZ, XKA-XKH, XKJ-XKN,
XKP, XKR-XKZ, XLA-XLH, XLJ-XLN, XLP, XLR-XLZ, XMA-XMH
2004 XMJ-XMN, XMP, XMR-XMZ, XNA-XNH, XNJ-XNN, XNP, XNR-XNZ, XPA-XPH, XPJ-XPN, XPP, XPR-
XPZ, XRA-XRH, XRJ-XRN, XRP, XRR-XRZ, XSA-XSH, XSJ-XSL
2005 XSM-XSN, XSP, XSR-XSZ, XTA-XTH, XTJ-XTN, XTP, XTR-XTZ; ZAA-ZAH, ZAJ-ZAN, ZAP, ZAR-ZAZ,
ZBA-ZBH, ZBJ-ZBN, ZBP, ZBR-ZBZ, ZCA, ZCB
2006 ZCC-ZCH, ZCJ-ZCN, ZCP, ZCR-ZCZ, ZDA-ZDH, ZDJ-ZDN, ZDP, ZDR-ZDZ, ZEA-ZEH, ZEJ-ZEN, ZEP, ZER-
ZEZ, ZFA-ZFH, ZFJ-ZFN, ZFP, ZFR-ZFZ, ZGA-ZGH, ZGJ-ZGN, ZGP, ZGR-ZGS
2007 ZGT-ZGZ, ZHA-ZHH, ZHJ-ZHN, ZHP, ZHR-ZHZ, ZJA-ZJH, ZJJ-ZJN, ZJP, ZJR-ZJZ, ZKA-ZKH, ZKJ-ZKN,
ZKP, ZKR-ZKZ, ZLA-ZLH, ZLJ-ZLN, ZLP
2008 ZLR-ZLZ, ZMA-ZMH, ZMJ-ZMN, ZMP, ZMR-ZMZ, ZNZ-ZNH, ZNJ-ZNN, ZNP, ZNR-ZNZ, ZPA-ZPH, ZPJ-
ZPN, ZPP, ZPR-ZPZ, ZRA-ZRH, ZRJ-ZRN, ZRP, ZRR-ZRZ, ZSA-ZSH
2009 ZSJ-ZSN, ZSP, ZSR-ZSZ, ZTA-ZTH, ZTJ-ZTN, ZTP, ZTR-ZTZ; NAI-NZI; NAO-NZO; NAQ-NZQ; NIA-NIH,
NIJ-NIN
2010 NIP, NIR-NIZ; NOA-NOH, NOJ-NON, NOP, NOR-NOZ; NQA-NQH, NQJ-NQN, NQP, NQR-NQZ; PAI-
PZI; PAO-PZO; PAQ-PZQ; PIA-PIH
2011 PIJ-PIN, PIP, PIR-PIZ; POA-POH, POJ-PON, POP, POR-POZ; PQA-PQH, PQJ-PQN, PQP, PQR-PQZ;
TAI-TZI; TAO-TZO; TAQ-TZQ; TIA-TIH, TIJ-TIL
2012 TIM-TIN, TIP, TIR-TIZ; TOA-TOH, TOJ-TON, TOP, TOR-TOZ; TQA-TQH, TQJ-TQN, TQP, TQR-TQZ;
UIA-UIZ; UAI-UZI; UAO-UZO; UOA-UOH, UOJ-UON, UOP-UOV
2013 UOW-UOZ; UAQ-UHQ, UJQ-UNQ, UPQ-UZQ; UQA-UQH, UQJ-UQN, UQP, UQR-UQZ; WAI-WZI;
WAO-WZO; WAQ-WZQ; WIA-WIH, WIJ-WIN, WIP
VRB-VRC; EBW-EBZ; FJB-FJH, FJJ; HBE-HBG (August–October 2013 Special Issue)

Note: (Wikipedia) 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 were used by reverting to the old "N" series. A new
serial scheme was 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.) These include combinations for public utility
vehicles (middle letters V, W, X, and Y) and trailers (middle letters U and Z), which were used for private
vehicles instead. After all the possible combinations with I, O and Q as the 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 NIA-999 has been used, NIB-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.

2. Provincial Plate Numbers

Private (plate series with approximate year issued):

" 1981–1989"
Region I (Ilocos Region/Cordillera Administrative Region) AAA-AAH, AAJ-AAN, AAP, AAR-AAZ,
ABA-ABH, ABJ-ABN, ABP, ABR-ABZ, ACA-ACH, ACJ-ACN
Region II (Cagayan Valley) BAA-BAH, BAJ-BAN, BAP, BAR-BAZ, BBA-BBH, BBJ-BBN
Region II (Central Luzon) CAA-CAH, CAJ-CAN, CAP, CAR-CAZ, CBA-CBH, CBJ-CBN, CBP, CBR-CBZ,
CCA-CCH, CCJ-CCN, CCP, CCR-CCZ, CDA-CDH, CDJ-CDN, CDP, CDR-CDZ, CEA-CEH, CEJ-CEN, CEP, CER-CEZ,
CFA-CFH, CFJ-CFN, CFP, CFR-CFZ, CGA-CGH, CGJ-CGN, CGP, CGR-CGZ, CHA-CHH, CHJ-CHN, CHP, CHR-CHZ,
CJA-CJE
Region IV (Southern Tagalog) DAA-DAH, DAJ-DAN, DAP, DAR-DAZ, DBA-DBH, DBJ-DBN, DBP, DBR-DBZ,
DCA-DCH, DCJ-DCN, DCP, DCR-DCZ, DDA-DDH, DDJ-DDN, DDP, DDR-DDZ, DEA-DEH, DEJ-DEN, DEP, DER-
DEZ, DFA-DFH, DFJ-DFN, DFP, DFR-DFZ, DGA-DGH, DGJ-DGN, DGP, DGR-DGV
Region V (Bicol Region) EAA-EAH, EAJ-EAN, EAP, EAR-EAU
Region VI (Western Visayas) FAA-FAH, FAJ-FAN, FAP, FAR-FAZ, FBA-FBH, FBJ-FBN, FBP, FBR-FBZ, FCA-
FCH, FCJ-FCN, FCP, FCR-FCS
Region VII (Central Visayas) GAA-GAH, GAJ-GAN, GAP, GAR-GAZ, GBA-GBH, GBJ-GBN, GBP, GBR-
GBZ, GCA-GCH, GCJ-GCN, GCP, GCR-GCZ, GDA-GDD
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) HAA-HAH, HAJ-HAM
Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula/ARMM) JAA-JAH, JAJ-JAN, JAP, JAR-JAV
Region IX (Northern Mindanao) KAA-KAH, KAJ-KAN, KAP, KAR-KAZ, KBA-KBH, KBJ-KBL
Region XI (Davao Region/Caraga) LAA-LAH, LAJ-LAN, LAP, LAR-LAZ, LBA-LBH, LBJ-LBN, LBP, LBR-
LBZ, LCA-LCC
Region XII (Soccsksargen) MAA-MAH, MAJ-MAN, MAP, MAR-MAW
"1990–1999"
Region I (Ilocos Region/Cordillera Administrative Region) ACP, ACR-ACZ, ADA-ADH, ADJ-ADN,
ADP, ADR-ADZ, AEA-AEE
Region II (Cagayan Valley) BBP, BBR-BBZ, BCA-BCH, BCJ-BCL
Region III (Central Luzon) CJF-CJH, CJJ-CJN, CJP, CJR-CJZ, CKA-CKH, CKJ-CKN, CKP, CKR-CKZ, CLA-
CLH, CLJ-CLN, CLP, CLR-CLZ, CMA-CMH, CMJ-CMN, CMP, CMR-CMZ, CNA-CNH, CNJ-CNN, CNP, CNR-CNZ,
CPA-CPH, CPJ-CPN, CPP, CPR-CPZ, CRA-CRE
Region IV (Southern Tagalog) DGW-DGZ, DHA-DHH, DHJ-DHN, DHP, DHR-DHZ, DJA-DJH, DJJ-DJN, DJP,
DJR-DJZ, DKA-DKH, DKJ-DKN, DKP, DKR-DKZ, DLA-DLH, DLJ-DLN, DLP, DLR-DLZ, DMA-DMH, DMJ-DMN,
DMP, DMR-DMZ, DNA-DNH, DNJ-DNN, DNP, DNR-DNZ, DPA-DPH, DPJ-DPN, DPP, DPR-DPZ, DRA-DRH,
DRJ-DRN, DRP, DRR-DRZ, DSA-DSH, DSJ-DSN, DSP, DSR-DSZ, DTA-DTH, DTJ-DTN, DTP
Region V (Bicol Region) EAV-EAZ, EBA-EBH
Region VI (Western Visayas) FCT-FCZ, FDA-FDH, FDJ-FDN, FDP, FDR-FDZ, FEA-FEG
Region VII (Central Visayas) GDE-GDH, GDJ-GDN, GDP, GDR-GDZ, GEA-GEH, GEJ-GEN, GEP, GER-GEZ,
GFA-GFH, GFJ-GFN, GFP, GFR-GFZ, GGA-GGH, GGJ-GGN, GGP, GGR-GGZ, GHA-GHH, GHJ-GHN, GHP,
GHR-GHZ, GJA-GJH, GJJ-GJN, GJP, GJR-GJZ, GKA-GKH, GKJ-GKN, GKP, GKR-GKZ, GLA-GLF
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) HAN, HAP, HAR-HAX
Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula/ARMM) JAW-JAZ, JBA-JBE
Region X (Northern Mindanao) KBM-KBN, KBP, KBR-KBZ, KCA-KCG
Region XI (Davao Region/Caraga) LCD-LCH, LCJ-LCN, LCP, LCR-LCZ, LDA-LDH, LDJ-LDN, LDP, LDR-
LDW
Region XII (Soccsksargen) MAX-MAZ, MBA-MBH, MBJ-MBM

F. Schedule of Registration – Registration of motor vehicles should be done manually which follows the
numerical suffixes of their plate numbers.

Note: Vehicles may be registered one month in advance of weekly deadline. For motorcycles, use the 3rd
digit.

Example: Plate Number – TNG 984

The above motor vehicle shall be registered in April every year because the last digit is “4” and the day
of registration falls in April 15-21 since the middle digit is “8”.

G. Letter Prefixes on Plate Numbers. The letter prefixes indicate:

1. Place of initial registration of the motor vehicle;
2. Year of initial registration and the possible year model of the registered motor vehicle could be
determined from the order of the letter prefixes, i.e., the higher the letters the later the year of
registration and year model of the motor vehicle.
Example: Vehicle 1 – PLT 255 Vehicle 2 – TNU 636

Between the above motor vehicles, Vehicle 1 was registered earlier than Vehicle 2 and possibly,
Vehicles 2’s model is later than Vehicle 1.

H. Protocol Plate Numbers. These are special plate numbers for high ranking government officials as
manifestations of courtesy, towards them or their respective positions or offices. These plates are blue
D or DD plates reserved for the top government officials of the Republic of the Philippines.
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 and other Justices of the Court of Appeals.
11 – Chairman, Commission on Elections
12 – Cabinet Undersecretary
13 – Solicitor-General
14 – Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chief of the Philippine National Police
16 – Regional Trial Court Judges (e.g. 16*NCR
17 – First Level Courts (Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities and
Shari'ah Circuit courts), added by Memorandum Order No. 297 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo on March 2, 2009, assistant city prosecutors, district prosecutors and chief city prosecutors with
initials of 17*ACP (court branch number)

Lesson 3.4

Provisions on Driver’s Licenses

Concept

Driving a motor vehicle in the Philippines as in other countries is not a right but a privilege granted by
the Philippine Government through the LTO based on Republic Act 4136 and Batas Pambansa Blg. 398.
Further, it is a privilege which may be suspended or revoked.

Driver’s License. A document issued to a qualified driver who possesses the statutory qualification as
provided therefore. It is also a public document which has the legal presumption of genuineness (CCC
Insurance Corp. vs Court of Appeals, 31 SCRA 264). For the complete provisions, read the appended RA
4136.

A. Duty to Procure License. Sec. 19 of RA 4136 states that no person shall operate any motor vehicle
without first procuring a license to drive for the current year. To be effective in the hands of its holder, it
must not be delinquent, invalid, suspended or revoked and should be carried at all times and shall be
shown or surrendered for cause when demanded by a person authorized by RA 4136 to inspect the
same.

B. Confiscation of Driver’s License. Sec. 29 of RA 4136 mandates that a driver’s license may be
confiscated for violations of RA 4136, the rules and regulations issued by the Commissioner and of local
traffic rules and regulations.

When a driver’s license is confiscated for any reason, the traffic enforcer must, however, issue a receipt
(Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP)) which is good for 72 hours within which the driver may continue
to operate his vehicle. Failure to settle the case within 15 days will cause suspension or revocation of the
license.

C. Types of Licenses, Procedures and Requirements. A driver is licensed by the LTO as proof of his
proficiency in driving his knowledge of road rules and regulations while operating a motor vehicle. Upon
proving his proficiency and knowledge, he will be issued a document in the form of the following
licenses:
1. International Driver’s License. Bonafide tourists and transients who are duly licensed to
operate motor vehicles in their respective countries may be allowed to operate motor
vehiles during their stay but not beyond 90 days of their sojourn in the Philippines (Sec.
21, RA 4136). For the current requirements and fees, see the appended LTO
memorandums.
2. Military Driver’s License. Enlisted personnel of the AFP operating motor vehicles owned
by the government shall be licensed in accordance with RA 4136 but no license or
delinquency fees shall be collected thereof.

All licenses so issued shall bear the words “ For Government Vehicles Only” plainly
marked or stamped in red inks across the face thereof. A Military Driver’s License does
not authorize the older to operate a privately-owned motor vehicle (Sec. 20, RA 4136).
For the current requirements, see the appended LTO memorandums.
3. Professional Driver’s License. This license is issued to a driver hired or paid for driving or
operating a motor vehicle whether private use or for hire to the public. Any person
driving his own motor vehicle for hire is a professional driver (Sec. 3, e, RA 4136). To
easily distinguish, the word “professional” on the license is red-highlighted. For the
current requirements and fees, see the appended LTO memorandums.
4. Non-Professional Driver’s License. This kind of license is issued to owners of privately-
owned motor vehicles or those not for hire or paid for driving. (Effect of Sec. 3,e, RA
4136). To easily distinguish this license from professional license, the word “Non-
professional” is green-highlighted. For the current requirements and fees, see the
appended LTO memorandums.
5. Student Driver’s License. This kind of document is issued to persons who desire to learn
how to drive. A student driver cannot operate a vehicle unless accompanied by an
instructor who may either be a licensed professional or non-professional driver (Sec. 30,
RA 4136). For the current requirements and fees, see the appended LTO memorandums.
D. Validity or Expiration of license
1. Student Driver’s Permit – 12 months or one year.
2. Non-Professional and Professional Driver’s Licenses and Conductors’ License - 3 years
3. International Driver’s License for Tourists - 90 days

E. Conductor’s License – Conductors of public utility vehicles are also mandated to procure their licenses
from the LTO. For the current requirements and fees, see the appended LTO memorandums.
F. Driver’s Examination – All driver’s license applicants must obtain the passing score as follows:
1. The Written Examination. Written examinations will contain questions concerning proper
driving procedures, road rules and regulations, emergency procedures, etc. Number of
questions will be as follows:
a. Non-professional License – 40 questions
b. Professional License – 60 questions
 Examinees will have to pass the written examination with the following marks:
a. Non-professional - 30 out of 40 questions
b. Professional – 45 out of 60 questions
Before each examination, a DRIVING SKILL RATER will provide a 30 minute lecture about traffic
rules and other driver information as a “review” for the applicants.
2. The Road Test. The actual road test will be undertaken under the auspices of a “DRIVING SKILL
RATER”. This actual applicant will have to provide the vehicle in advance and the applicant will
have to provide the vehicle I which the road test will be conducted. The applicant should make sure
that the vehicle to be used in proper working condition and is currently registered.

During the road test, the applicant will be rated according to his proficiency on the following
aspects:
a. That the applicant is aware of and capable of performing a check on the primary
components of the vehicles such as the engine, the tires, the battery, lights, windshield
wipers, brakes, transmission and clutch, etc.
b. Proper use and correct positioning of the hands on the steering wheel.
c. Proper engine control and use of the gear shift lever and foot pedals.
d. Proper speed control and observance and practice of road discipline.
e. Proper knowledge and interpretation of road signs and markings.
f. Proper turning procedures.
g. Proper backing procedures.
h. Proper parking procedures.

The applicant will be credited with a score of 100 points at the start of the road test. Each
infraction or unsatisfactory performance will be listed down on a road test score sheet and the
corresponding deductions made at the end of the test. Passing grade will be 70 points or total
possible deduction of 30 points.

G. Mandatory Drug Test. It is mandatory to all driver’s license applicants except for student driver’s
permit to pass a drug test conducted by duly LTO accredited drug testing centers. (repealed by RA
10586)

F. Drivers’ Restriction Code. When the driver is issued a license, the driver’s restriction code is indicated
as follows:
1. Motorcycles/Motorized Tricycles
2. Vehicle up to 4500 kgs Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3. Vehicle above 4500 kgs GVW
4. Automatic clutch up to 4500 kgs GVW
5. Automatic clutch above 4500 kgs GVW
6. Articulated vehicle 1600 kgs GVW and below
7. Articulated vehicle 1601 up to 4500 kgs GVW
8. Articulated vehicle 4501 kgs and above GVW
9. Disabled (OLD) – no longer existing because disabled individuals are now called differently-abled
persons.

H. Drivers’ Condition. The conditions for driver’s license holder while operating a motor vehicle are
indicated as follows:
1. A – wear eye glasses
 2. B – drive only with special equipment for upper limbs
3. C – drive only with special equipment for lower limbs
4. D – daylight driving only
5. E – accompanied by a person with normal hearing.

REFERENCE: Traffic Management and Accident Investigation (Second Edition 2014) Darlito Bernard G
Delizo, PhD CE