LTO prohibits confiscation of license plates

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is prohibiting the confiscation of motor vehicle plates while being apprehended by its law enforcers and deputized agents.

In a statement, the LTO said its chief Jay Art Tugade issued a memorandum barring the confiscation of license plates in response to queries and complaints the agency has been receiving.

“To avoid further confusion, all LTO enforcement personnel and its deputized agents shall be prohibited from confiscating motor vehicle license plates in lieu of the physical impoundment of the apprehended motor vehicles," read the statement.

The memorandum also stated that “in all instances where the penalty includes the confiscation, suspension or revocation of a driver's license or student permit, as well as the suspension or revocation of the registration of a motor vehicle or impounding the motor vehicle, and the same cannot be immediately implemented, the driver's license, the student permit, or motor vehicle, as the case may be, shall be placed on alarm until the proper penalty may be implemented.”

The LTO said the latest order clarifies that a driver's license, student permit, or motor vehicle can only be flagged if the apprehending law enforcer cannot immediately administer the relevant penalty to the vehicle or driver. —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News