LTO: New motorcycle license plates won’t be made of metal  

The proposed bigger license plates for motorcycles as mandated by a new law. Photo by Daphne Galvez/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The new license plates for motorcycles required by a recently-passed law will not be made of metal, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Edgar Galvante said Tuesday.

Galvante made the assurance amid concerns from motorcycle riders that the bigger, readable, color-coded new license plates mandated under Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act are unsafe especially when placed at the front of the motorcycle.

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“Hindi po tama ‘yung sinasabi nila na ang gagawing materyal doon sa plaka sa harap ay metal,” Galvante said in a press conference.

He said there is no provision under the law that requires that new plates must be made of metal.

The material, however, should be “sturdy enough” so that the plates would be readable from a distance of 15 meters.

“Wala pong probisyon sa batas na nagsasabing metal plates ang gagamitin. Of course, the material must be sturdy enough to serve the purpose of having a plate that is readable from a distance of 15 meters,” the LTO chief said.

He said one of the proposals the LTO is considering is that the new motorcycle plates would be made of “conduction sticker material.”

“Itong conduction sticker material, isang kino-consider din yan dahil ito naman nagla-last at hindi ito may panganib na matanggal, lilipad at tatama sa driver,” Galvante said.

The LTO chief said they are consulting with plate manufacturers, and motorcycle groups in the crafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the law.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade defended the law, saying that it is meant to ensure the safety of the riders, drivers, and the general  public.

Tugade said the department is open to suggestions for the new motorcycle plates.

The Department of Transportation and LTO are tasked to craft the IRR within 90 days of the measure’s signing into law.  / gsg