Vehicle registration plates of the Philippines

Template:Short description Template:Use Philippine English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox vehicle registration plate Vehicle registration plates in the Philippines, commonly known as license plates (Template:Langx), are issued and regulated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), a government agency under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

History

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.

File:Philippine license plates LTO.jpg

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. 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.

File:2013 Philippine Standardized registration plate.png

Proposed design for Automobile Vehicle Registration Plate back in 2013.

Current plate design specifications

Plate number dimension and font style

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. Plates issued since 2018 have omitted the region code. Before 1981, the Philippines used the North American standard measuring 300 × 150 mm (12 × 6 inches) for cars and trucks.

Registration area prefixes

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. 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)

Pattern	Color	Class	Description	Image
NBC 1234 123NBC N123BC NB123C N1234C	Black text on white background	Private vehicles	Private vehicles, not for commercial use. However, as of 2022, public utility vehicles and government vehicles are also using this plate design.	File:NBC 1234.png File:Motor plate NCR.png
NBV 1234 123NVB N123VB NV123B	Green text on white background	Electric/hybrid vehicles	Private electric and/or hybrid vehicles, not for commercial use. However, some public utility vehicles are seen using this plate design.	File:Philippine Hybrid or Electric vehicle plate.png File:Philippine Hybrid or Electric motorcycle plate.png
NBC 1234 123NBC N123BC NB123C	Black text on yellow background	Public utility vehicles	Public utility vehicles and other for-hire vehicles (e.g. commercial trucks, public transport buses, taxis, tricycles and jeepneys.)	File:NBC 4321.pngFile:321NBC.png
SNA 1234 123SNA S123NA	Red text on white background	Government vehicles	Vehicles for official government use (e.g.: government-owned cars, police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks).	File:SAB 1234.png File:GOVERNMENT.png
001 1234	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.	File:002 0020 diplomatic.png

Vehicle classification by second and third letter

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	Image
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 NJV 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)	File:Philippine vintage vehicle plate.png

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

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.

Strip color	Strip position	Region	Image
None	-	National Capital Region	File:Motor plate NCR.png
Pink	Top	Cordillera Administrative Region	File:Motor plate CAR.png
	Bottom	Caraga	File:Motor plate R13.png
Green	Top	Ilocos Region	File:Motor plate R1.png
	Bottom	Eastern Visayas	File:Motor plate R8.png
Gray	Top	Bicol Region	File:Motor plate R5.png
	Bottom	Northern Mindanao	File:Motor plate R10.png
Blue	Top	Central Luzon	File:REGION 3.png
	Bottom	Davao Region	File:REGION 11.png
Purple	Top	Calabarzon	File:REGION 4A.png
	Bottom	Western Visayas	File:REGION 6.png
Orange	Top	Mimaropa	File:REGION 4B.png
	Bottom	Central Visayas	File:REGION 7.png
Red	Top	Cagayan Valley	File:REGION 2.png
	Bottom	Zamboanga Peninsula	File:REGION 9.png
Brown	Bottom	Soccsksargen	File:REGION 12.png

Special plate number designs

High-ranking government plates

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.

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

File:New diplomatic plate.png

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

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.

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		021		041		061
002		022		042	Sovereign Military Order of Malta	062
003		023		043		063
004		024		044		064
005		025		045		065
006		026		046		066
007		027		047		067
008		028		048		068
009		029		049		069
010		030		050		070
011		031		051
012		032		052
013		033		053
014		034		054
015		035		055
016		036		056
017		037		057
018		038		058
019		039		059
020		040		060

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

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

Personalized plates

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 Template:₱ 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.

Combination	Fee	Image
Three-letter, two-number plate (except 00) (No longer issued as of 2024)	Template:₱	File:2023 Philippines New Plate ABC 01.png
Three-letter, three-number plate (except 000) (No longer issued as of 2024)	Template:₱	File:2023 Philippines New Plate ABC 888.png
Three-letter, four-number plate (except 0000)	Template:₱	File:2023 Philippines New Plate ABC 8888.png

Temporary plate numbers

Conduction stickers

File:Conduction Sticker Philippines 2024.png

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 after it was implemented in 1983. Started in 1984, there are different digit and letter positions that have been produced over time.

Years	Conduction sticker style	Examples	Background Color
1984–1994	DDD-LL	855SH 235SF	White (1984-1993) Yellow (1993-1994)
1994–2003	DD-LLL	30SNK 22SRW	Red
2003–2017	LL-DDDD	BX8032 (Mitsubishi) VH2637(Toyota)	White (2003-2012) Yellow (2012-2017)
2017–2023	LD-LDDD	Y1L350 (Mitsubishi) A6J238 (Toyota)	Yellow
2023–present	LL-DDDL	GD776A DH705A	Yellow

Motor vehicle file number

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-IV-B	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

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 still 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).

In 2023, the LTO released green plates for hybrid and electric and white plates with indicating marks below for vintage Vehicles, then in 2025, Trailer plates was also released for Trailers registered from 2016 onwards.

Former plate number designs still in use

2014 series

Plate number design

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. 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. Eventually, in May 2014, the first batch of new license plates was released. By January 2015, vehicle owners using the 1981 series plates were required to pay Template:₱ to change their old plates into a modern series plate.

Vehicle classification by color scheme (2014–2015 design)

Pattern	Color	Class	Description	Image
ABC 1234 AB 12345	Black text on White background	Private Vehicles	Private vehicles, not for commercial use	File:ABC 5678.png File:NA 34567.png
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.)	File:AAA 8765.png File:NB 98765.png
SBC 1234 SA 12345	Red text on White background	Government vehicles	Vehicles for official government use (e.g.; police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks).	File:SAA 8765.png File:SA 76543.png
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.	File:23456 diplomatic.pngFile:Philippine diplomatic vehicle plate 2014.png

1981 series

Plate number design

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.

File:PUV JEEPNEY LICENSE PLATE (DUMMY REPRESENTATION ONLY).svg

PUV jeepney license plate

The typeface has an influence and based from New South Wales vehicle registration plates and it was made it 'compressed down' and expanded a bit in all glyphs. In Rizal Monument version, the glyphs are thin and also slightly 'go up' of their glyphs. The name of the font/typeface is not specified but an influence from New South Wales vehicle registration plates (specifically the 1951 series) and also a modified version of the nearest font, Charles Wright.

The font underwent changes and its letter dies had to be remaked. For example, K and the feet of the K moved slightly inwards towards the stem of the K and the letter C expanded upwards slightly. Also, the typeface has several arcs and it was featured on its stamping dies. Letters with arcs: A, B, K, M, N, V, W, X and Y.

File:Jeepney LTO license plate in 2000.png

Laminated printed plastic or lost plate (dummy representation) of PUV with its typeface Charles Wright and Pilipinas inscription.

Update changes issued by region

The license plates starting with W and Z that were initially issued for Metro Manila are now issued in Region 3 for motorcycles with a blue strip on top and Caraga Region for both motorcycle and motor vehicles, respectively. The I has now serifs and used in the middle or end of the letter block.

Meanwhile, the license plates starting with A are now issued for motorcycles registered in Ilocos Region, that were initially an initial letter for both motor vehicle plates across the country and motorcycle plates for Ilocos Region.

Registration area prefix

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

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

• 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

• 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)

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	File:Private vheicle plates of the Philippines (2008 Series).jpg
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.	File:Philippineslicenseplate.jpg File:PUV JEEPNEY LICENSE PLATE (DUMMY REPRESENTATION ONLY).svg
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).	File:Government plate PHI.jpg File:Philippine GOV plate 2000.svg
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.	File:Diplo-and-prv WP 20141114 001.jpg
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

• Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, a road space rationing program used in Metro Manila and other urban areas based on the last digit of the vehicle's license plate.