MANILA, Philippines ? The Land Transportation Office (LTO) launched Friday a nationwide text service for motorists seeking details on license and car registration for motorists.

?The text service will be especially helpful for those checking the registration of second-hand cars for sale,? LTO chief Alberto Suansing said.

Motorists can text LTO VEHICLE to 2600. To inquire about license details, text LTO LICENSE . Text senders should key in the plate and license characters continuously, without a dash or space.

Any mobile subscriber can avail of the service, which is powered by local IT company Stradcom Inc. A test text sent by the Inquirer drew a response in 12 seconds.

?Filipinos are very text savvy, so we are optimistic that this service will replace red tape-prone procedures. We also have an online inquiry service but this text service is really expected to draw hundreds of messages a day,? Suansing said.

He added that the service was expected to shorten the long lines at the LTO?s main office on East Avenue, Quezon City and to curb illegal transactions involving unregistered cars.

Suansing said the text service would eventually expand to cover other concerns.

LTO posts updates on its website (www.lto.gov.ph/) about license and registration fees and procedures, payment schedules for license and registration renewals, and new regulations, among others.