For those who want a bit of a more personal touch to their cars, one option is to apply for a special plate number combination. Called vanity plates by some, it’s a service that has been available for decades and the legal way to get a personalized set.
If you’re thinking about getting one right now, you might want to read this. That’s because the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has just made a major amendment regarding this matter.
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No, don’t worry, the LTO isn’t getting rid of offering it altogether. Instead, the agency has announced that it has, quite literally, used up all the possible combinations for two and three-number plates. Yes, there are that many cars that have come and gone on our roads. If you do the math, you’re looking at over 17 million possibilities.
What alphanumeric combinations are available for special plates?
From now on, the only way to get personalized plates is by going for the more recent four-number combination. Per LTO Memorandum Circular VDM 2024-2614, those applying for a special plate may choose the following:
- Any three-letter combination and quadruple numerics (except 0000)
- Any three-letter combination and any four numerics not yet issued as a series
The agency adds that this takes effect ‘immediately.’
Which vehicles are valid to have special plates?
According to Section II of LTO Administrative Order 2022-040, these vehicles are allowed to apply for special plates:
- Cars
- SUVs
- AUVs
- Pickup trucks
- Vans
- Imported vehicles (new and/or used)
Which vehicles are not allowed to have special plates?
Moving to Section III of LTO Administrative Order 2022-040, it lists down the vehicles that cannot apply for special plates:
- PUVs
- Cargo trucks
- Service vehicles (hotel service, rentals, hearses, ambulances, et al.)
- Vintage cars
- Government vehicles (Gov’t fleet, police vehicles, military motorpool)
- Diplomatic vehicles
- Motor vehicles with over four wheels
How much are special plates?
Now that the only way to go is the three-letter, four-number combination, there is a higher fee involved. It starts at P35,000 with applicable fees and charges issued by the LTO on top of that.
In the past, it was P15,000 for the three-letter, two number combination and P25,000 for the three-letter, three-number combination.
