On renewing registration, motorists may claim available license plates

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Motorists renewing vehicle registrations in Central Visayas may now receive their license plates during their transaction if the plates are already available with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In an order dated June 10, 2026, LTO-7 Regional Director Wendel Dinglasan directed all concerned offices to automatically check the status of a vehicle’s license plate during registration renewal and other related transactions.

READ: LTO urges motorists to renew licenses, vehicle registrations before July 31

The directive covered District Offices, Extension Offices, Licensing Centers, E-Patrol Mobile Units, the MAIRDOEs Unit, Motor Vehicle Inspection System, and the Visayas Plate Courier and Distribution Hub.

The policy seeks to streamline the release of license plates and reduce the number of unclaimed plates across the region by making verification part of routine registration transactions.

This then allows motorists to claim available plates without filing a separate request or making another visit to an LTO office.

Release of replacement plates

Dinglasan ordered all offices to immediately release available license plates in their custody once the registered owner or an authorized representative complies with existing requirements.

If the plate is located in another LTO office, personnel must coordinate with the concerned office to facilitate its prompt release.

The memorandum also required offices to maintain updated inventories of available plates and strengthen coordination among LTO units.

READ: LOOK: LTO-7 intensifies anti-drunk driving campaign in Cebu City

Frontline personnel are likewise directed to inform motorists of the status of their license plates whenever they conduct registration-related transactions.

Dinglasan said the directive aims to improve public service and address concerns involving unreleased and unclaimed license plates.

“We want to ensure that every available license plate reaches its rightful owner at the soonest possible time. Through this directive, we are maximizing every client interaction by making license plate verification and release an integral part of our registration process,” he said in a press release.

Plate replacement campaign

The directive is complemented by LTO-7’s “Aggressive Plate Replacement Campaign,” launched on June 15, 2026 to speed up the distribution of long-pending replacement plates in Central Visayas.

Under the campaign, LTO personnel verify records, identify available plates, and coordinate their release through district offices.

Teams place information flyers on vehicles with available replacement plates to notify owners that their plates are ready for claiming.

The flyers indicate the specific LTO office where the replacement plates may be picked up.

READ: LTO files more administrative cases vs RA 10586 violators

The campaign covers vehicle owners who paid for replacement plates in 2015 and motorcycle owners who are still using the old green license plates.

These motorcycle plates are being replaced with the standardized black-and-white license plates now being issued by the agency.

LTO-7 encouraged motorists to inquire about the status of their license plates during registration transactions and coordinate with the nearest LTO office for assistance.

License renewal

Meanwhile, the LTO reminded motorists to renew their licenses and registrations before July 31, 2026 to avoid penalties.

This is in accordance to Memorandum Circular No. MVL-2026-5157 publicized last Friday.

The LTO earlier granted a three-month extension beginning in April 2026 for the validity of driver’s licenses, conductor’s licenses, student permits, and motor vehicle registrations.

The agency waived penalties for late renewal of these documents during the extension period.

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