So you decided to buy a used vehicle and started to hunt for one. Purchasing a second-hand car can help you save money. However, buying a used vehicle is more challenging than purchasing a brand-new one. It is more difficult to purchase a second-hand car because its history cannot be determined with absolute certainty. How can you determine if the car you want has been stolen or involved in a crime?
Through LTO plate verification, it is possible to determine who a car is registered to, whether it has been flagged by the LTO as a carnapped or hot car, and whether it has a record of driver apprehension with the LTO. Therefore, how does one conduct the LTO plate check?
The good news is that it can be done in less than a minute by sending a text message. Here’s how you do it.
How to Check an LTO Plate Number via SMS
Currently, LTO has a system that allows plate number verification via text message. Simply enter the following information via your mobile device:
Key in LTO<space>VEHICLE<space>Plate Number
then send it to 2600
Example: LTO VEHICLE ABC1234
After that, please wait approximately 5 to 10 minutes for an automated response. In addition to the license plate number, basic vehicle information and specifications are also provided. The response should include the license plate number, make and model, model year, color, date of registration, and whether or not the vehicle has LTO apprehension records and alarm.
This will work if you are a Globe, Smart, or Sun Cellular customer, and each text message will cost you Php 2.50. However, this only applies to personal vehicles as the LTO has not confirmed yet whether the SMS verification of license plate number works for taxis, trucks, motorcycles, or tricycles.