Guide: How to properly install LTO RFID Registration Sticker

An LTO RFID installation guide for various motorcycle headlights

If you’ve been following the implementation of new motorcycle plates (Doble Plaka), you’ve likely heard that, besides the new and larger rear plate, there’s also a front plate decal and an accompanying RFID sticker, which the Land Transportation Office (LTO) calls headlight tags.

Just like the LTO has required for cars, new motorcycles will receive new license plates that come with an RFID sticker. This sticker contains the electronic OR/CR of the motorcycle for easier identification by a scanner. This sticker must be attached to the motorcycle’s headlight, and nowhere else on the motorcycle.

To avoid any problems when this sticker is scanned, the LTO has released an installation guide to help riders properly attach these RFID stickers / headlight tags.

Proper installation

The LTO hopes that, with these instructions, the public will be guided accordingly. It has received reports that some motorists have been installing these stickers on other parts of the motorcycle, particularly metallic parts like the fender, tank, or even the plate number.

Unfortunately, attaching stickers here will make the sticker impossible to read. Metal beneath the sticker may interfere with the signal. Furthermore, removing the sticker and reattaching it will make the sticker null and void. This will leave motorists no choice but to request a replacement sticker for a hefty fee.

With these instructions, it should be clear how to properly attach them to their recommended placement are in a way that will not interfere with the headlight’s beam.

Digital OR CR

This RFID is not for expressway access, it's for registration. Perhaps for many, an RFID sticker is usually associated with cashless transactions for tollways. After all, they also require the installation of a sticker for a vehicle to pass through.

However, an RFID also has many other uses, such as serving as a digital ID. In this case, the sticker is part of the RFID tagging project by the LTO. The project traces back 10 years and was intended for all types of vehicles, including motorcycles. The use of RFID technology, according to then-LTO assistant secretary, Arturo Lomibao, will allow the agency and other law enforcement agencies to quickly access vehicle information with a scanner to aid in traffic management, law enforcement, and crime prevention.

Proper attachment is key to aid in faster processing of various vehicle related transactions in the future like registration, inspections, or even during traffic violations. In addition, improper installation could get you ticketed as well, which will result in another hefty fine.

For single headlights

The LTO recommends to always stick the headlamp tag horizontally. It must also be placed on the lowest possible part of the headlamp (to avoid blocking the beam) but not right at the edge. Make sure the QR code is on the right side of the sticker.

To help find the ideal location, they recommend turning on the headlamp to see where the light exits the housing in order not to block the main area of the beam.

For twin or split headlights

For motorcycles with two headlamps or twin lamp design, the sticker should be placed on the left headlamp, or left side of the housing. If you are facing the motorcycle, it is on the right side. Make sure the QR code is on the right side of the sticker. This side is preferred because it is the driver side on four-wheeled vehicles, and many scanners will be placed on the right side of gates.

This allows the headlight beam to still illuminate most of the right and middle of the road with little obstruction from the headlight tag.  This also poses less risk of blinding oncoming vehicles.

For uniquely-shaped headlights

Naturally, there will be a few motorcycles with more unusual headlight designs. In these cases, it's best to attach the headlamp at the lowest, widest part of the housing. Keep the sticker as close to horizontal as possible.

If you're still not sure where to attach the sticker, check out our gallery below the article for more examples.

Don'ts

Ensure that the sticker has the correct side up. Make sure the QR code is on the right side of the sticker.

Attach the sticker as horizontal as possible. Due to the varying shape of motorcycle headlamps, small deviations from a completely horizontal position are allowed.

Avoid vertical

Avoid attaching them at obscure angles like 90° or greater. This is because the LTO plans to put up infrastructure — like scanner gantries — that will soon be able to scan these headlight tags from a distance. These grantry scanners will be fitted with circular polarization lenses (CPL, to reduce glare) that best work with stickers placed in a horizontal orientation. Any oblique angles may not be easily read by the scanners due to the nature of CPL lense filters.

Keep away from metal

The LTO highly recommends attaching the headlight tags only on these recommended areas. As some of you may know, RFIDs work by receiving a signal from a nearby scanner. This signal is then received by the tag and tells the built-in microchip to send a signal back that contains the motorcycle’s information.

The stickers work best when on clear and smooth surfaces, far from any metallic objects. This is because metallic objects interfere with electronic signals, making it difficult for the headlight tag to be read.

As such, do not install the headlight tag on any metallic surfaces like a plate number, metal front wheel fender, headlight housing, speedometer housing, handlebar, or triple clamp bracket. Stickers installed on these locations may not be read by the scanner.

Try get it right the first time. Removing and re-attaching a sticker will only diminish the sticker’s adhesive material, it will also leave "VOID" markings on the sticker and surface due to its anti-tampering features. In these situations, the motorcycle owner may have to secure a replacement sticker which will be more difficult and costly to acquire.