The Land Transportation Office (LTO) recently issued the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 11235, or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law, more than a year after suspending its implementation.
The 13-page IRR signed by LTO Asec. Edgar Galvante on May 11 stipulates that riders are required to use bigger decal number plates measuring 135 mm by 85 mm on front, and 235 mm by 135 mm on the back of motorcycles.
The Section 5 of the IRR stipulates that “The LTO shall issue a set of bigger, readable, and color-coded number plate for every motorcycle, which shall consist of a.) a metal number plate to be installed at the rear of a motorcycle, and b.) a decal number plate to be displayed in its front. It shall bear a unique combination of alphanumeric characters using the following format: ABC123.”
Each plate will be color coded top and bottom, depending on region where the motorcycle is registered.
Owners of existing motorcycle units which do not have space for a front plate are required to provide a bracket where the plate will be installed. The number plates, both front and back, must also be readable from a distance of 15 feet.
Violators may also incur hefty fines of up to P100,000 or even jail term, depending on the violation. Rule III of the IRR states the following prohibited acts and penalties:
- Owners who fail to register a motorcycle within five days of purchase will be fined P20,000 – P50,000, face jail time, or both.
- Riders with an unreadable license plate or no plate at all will be fined P50,000 to P100,000, and the motorcycle impounded.
- Motorcycle owners must also report within 24 hours to the Joint PNP/LTO Operations Center if their plates were lost or stolen, or face a fine of P20,000 – P50,000.
- Riders tampering plates or using stolen plates will be fined P50,000 to P100,000, face jail time, or both.
- Individuals or companies prohibited to sell a motorcycle if it does not comply with the number-plate provisions.
The final clause of the IRR stipulates that it is effective immediately.
Authored by Sen. Richard Gordon, RA 11235 was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 8, 2019 but was suspended later due to public clamor against it.
Thousands of riders and motorcycle advocacy groups have protested against the law, insisting that the bigger front plates will hamper the aerodynamics of motorcycles and will be hazardous to riders should the plates accidentally fly off or be ripped by strong winds during the ride.
