LTO issues 4,000 SCOs to car dealers for failure to distribute plates

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is not happy with how car dealers are handling the distribution of license plates to customers. Now, the agency has issued almost 4,000 Show Cause Orders (SCOs) to car dealers, to let them explain why they should not be penalized for failing to distribute license plates, Official Receipts (OR), and Certificate of Registration (CR) within the prescribed 11-day period.

LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said the issuance of the SCOs – 3,940 to be exact – is also part of the efforts to prevent the stockpiling of license plates in various motor vehicle dealerships across the country. He said most of those issued with SCOs already submitted comments and explanations and these are now subject to investigation.

“May this serve as a lesson to all car dealers that their obligation doesn’t end at the sale of a motor vehicle or motorcycle. They should provide the necessary service to their clients especially the license plates and OR/CR because these are important requirements in accordance with the law,” said Mendoza.

The penalty related to motor vehicle dealers’ failure to release license plates and LTO documents is up to PHP 1 million, depending on the seriousness of the offense.

Mendoza earlier warned motor vehicle dealers to release license plates and OR/CR on time as the LTO eyes the implementation of the “No Plate, No Travel” policy after wiping out the backlog on the license plates for four-wheel vehicles. The warning was also prompted by the investigation which revealed that license plates remain in the custody of motor vehicle dealers.  

In the recent dialogue, some of the vehicle dealers said that their clients continue to ignore their messages to claim their licenses, which prompted Mendoza to order all local LTO officials to assist in the distribution.

So far, a number of LTO offices have initiated programs that include door-to-door delivery of license plates to the rightful owners. Mendoza also urged owners of newly bought motor vehicles to immediately report to the LTO errant agents and car and motorcycle dealerships that would fail to release their license plates and OR/CR on time.

Mendoza said all the complaints could be sent to the LTO’s social media accounts, and preferably to AksyON THE SPOT 09292920865.