In the Philippines, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will remind you that obtaining a driver’s license is not a right, but a privilege. In the form of license restriction codes, your LTO driver’s license comes with restrictions.
A restriction code is used by the LTO to determine which types of vehicles you can drive based on your license type. However, the numerical restriction codes no longer exist since they have been replaced by the new alphanumeric driver’s license (DL) codes.
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LTO Restriction Codes (RC) vs. Driver’s License Codes (DL Codes)
Using Restriction Codes, the LTO showed if a motorist could drive a motorcycle, motor vehicle, or anything from 1 to 8, so they would know what types of vehicles the license holder would be allowed to drive.
According to Memorandum Circular no. 2019-2174, the LTO abolished restriction codes in August 2019. A to CE is the range of alphanumeric codes proposed instead. Now they are called Driver’s License Codes (DL Codes) rather than restriction codes. A license holder may also operate various types of vehicles legally in the Philippines by selecting one of the Vehicle Category codes listed in the new DL code.
It is intended to limit incompetent driving on Philippine roads by applying to both non-professional and professional licenses.
What is LTO Restriction Code 123
Having a code 1 on your driver’s license when you had your driver’s license in the past meant that you could drive any motorcycle, with or without a sidecar. Also, restriction code 2 allows you to drive a car without a trailer, no matter if it has a trailer.
Meanwhile, license holders with restrictions 2 and 3 may drive both automatic and manual transmission operated vehicles, regardless of the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
Reading DL Codes
New DL codes imposed more specific restrictions on drivers. The DL codes and vehicle codes indicate whether the vehicle is carrying a sidecar or trailer. Furthermore, it specifies the weight and size of the vehicle, as well as the maximum speed it is capable of.
New DL codes also take into account the vehicle’s transmission type. It is reflected as AT for Automatic Transmission and MT for Manual Transmission on your license. Depending on the code, you may have a professional (PL) or non-professional (NPL) license.
If you hold a non-professional license and are driving a standard motorcycle with a manual transmission, your code is A L3 NPL MT. If you are allowed to drive a manual transmission vehicle, you are also allowed to drive an automatic transmission vehicle, just as you are allowed to drive a manual transmission vehicle. Manual transmission vehicles are not allowed to be driven by those who only have access to automatic transmissions.
Restriction Code 1,2, 3 and so on
To simplify what are the allowed vehicles you can drive on your driver’s license, here are LTO restriction codes 1, 2, 3 and 8.
| Restriction Code |
Allowed Vehicles |
| Restriction 1 |
Motorbikes or motorized tricycles |
| Restriction 2 |
Motor vehicle up to 4500 kg GVW |
| Restriction 3 |
Motor vehicle above 4500 kg GVW |
| Restriction 4 |
Automatic transmission up to 4500 kg GVW |
| Restriction 5 |
Automatic transmission above 4500 kg GVW |
| Restriction 6 |
Articulated Vehicle 1600 kg GVW & below |
| Restriction 7 |
Articulated Vehicle 1601 kg up to 4500 GVW |
| Restriction 8 |
Articulated Vehicle 4501 kg & above GVW |
In the old system, DL code 1 allowed you to drive any type of motorcycle with or without a sidecar. Under the new code, DL code A should be used for motorcycles and DL code A1 for tricycles.
Each license also bears a vehicle category code that specifies the type of tricycle or motorcycle it can be used for. Motorbikes with top speeds under 50 kph would have DL Code A L1, however, a motorcycle with a manual transmission and a top speed greater than 50 kph would have DL Code A L3.
DL codes B and B1 have been introduced with upgraded weight limits of up to 5,000 kilograms Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) if your license bears the old restriction code 2. A DL code B LTO driver’s license is only valid for cars with up to eight seats, while a B1 license is only valid for cars with nine or more seats.
Drivers of vehicles carrying goods are allowed to use DL codes B2 and/or C, depending on their vehicle’s weight. B2 represents vehicles weighing less than or equal to 3,500 kg GVW, while C represents vehicles weighing more than 3,500 kg GVW.
However, if you intend to drive buses that weigh more than 5,000kg and have 9 or more seats, you will need a D license. Last but not least, the DL codes ‘BE’ and ‘CE’ are for articulated vehicles, such as semi-trailers and cars with trailers.
A motorcycle falls under DL Code A, but there are subcategories determined by weight, size, and maximum achievable speed under the new code. Furthermore, additional restrictions on size and speed are in place.
Fees and Penalties
The DL codes on your license are of the utmost importance at a checkpoint, as officers typically ask for your driver’s license and your car’s OR/CR for identification. Driving outside your restrictions will result in a Php 3,000 fine if the officer discovers you are breaking traffic rules.
Conclusion
Sure, DL codes will take some getting used to, but compared to the old restriction codes, the license card provides a more detailed description of what type of vehicles you can operate. Also included are the size and maximum speed of the vehicle you are allowed to drive.
Aside from that, it details whether the licensee is a professional or non-professional driver, as well as whether the vehicle has automatic- or manual-transmission. In fact, the new DL code is so much more specific that drivers and authorities will be able to determine if any violations have been committed.
