LTO new driver’s license restrictions detail vehicles you can drive

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to revamp the restriction codes of the driver’s licenses (DL). The new DL restriction codes feature a more detailed and more specific alphanumeric system, which tells what type of motor vehicle an individual can drive.

The soon to be implemented new DL restriction codes is totally different from what most drivers in the Philippines are accustomed to. Unlike the straightforward and rather simple Driver's License restriction codes we have today, the new version is more specific. 

To put things in perspective, the current DL restriction code is classified to numbers 1 to 8. If you want to drive a motorcycle or tricycle, you need to have restriction code 1. On the other hand, if you want to drive a car, you need to have restriction code 2 (Motor Vehicles with up to 4,500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight). If you wish to drive both, you need to have restriction codes 1 and 2 on your driver’s license. 

So, how does the new DL restriction codes differ from the current one? As mentioned earlier, the new restriction codes feature a more specific alphanumeric system that identifies what vehicle types an individual can drive. According to the LTO, the new DL codes are the following: 

LTO new driver’s license restriction codes

A – Motorcycles

A1 – Tricycles

B – Up to 5,000 kg GVW with 8 seats

B1 – Up to 5,000 kg GVW with 9 or more seats

B2 – Goods less than or equal to 3,500 kg GVW

C – Goods more than 3,500 kg GVW

D – Bus with more than 5,000 kg FVW with 9 or more seats

BE – Trailers less than or equal to 3,500 kg GVW

CE – Articulated vehicles with more than 3,500 kg combined GVW

As you can see, the new alphanumeric system now differentiates Motorcycles from Tricycles (see A and A1). Meanwhile, cars up to light-duty trucks are classified as either B, B1, and B2. The list goes on for other vehicles. 

Then, on the other side of the DL codes is where you can see the Vehicle Category (VC). The VC makes the DL codes more specific as to what type of vehicle an individual can drive.

L1 - Motorcycle with a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h

L2 - Motorcycle with three wheels with a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h

L3 - Motorcycle with two wheels with a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h 

Refer to the infographics released by the LTO below for more information.

LTO new driver’s license restriction codes

>>> Related: LTO Driver's License Requirements and Limitations

Of note, non-professional driver’s license holders can only drive the vehicle types specified in A, A1, B, B1, and B2. An individual needs to make sure that his/her driver’s license has the necessary restriction code before driving. 

The LTO added that driver’s license holders with the Manual Transmission (MT) Clutch classification are eligible to drive cars that come with either a manual or automatic transmission. But, driver’s license holders that have the Automatic Transmission (AT) Clutch classification can only drive cars that come with an automatic gearbox.

In other words, AT Clutch on the driver’s license means that an individual can’t drive a car that comes with a manual transmission. While those with MT Clutch can drive both a manual and an automatic car. 

The new DL restriction codes can be confusing but it helps identify what type of cars an individual can drive in a more specific and detailed way. As a result, the new DL restriction codes could give motorists a better understanding and knowledge of the vehicles that they can and cannot drive.

It could also limit the various interpretation of people towards what each of the restriction code mean. However, and as of this writing, the LTO has yet to announce when will the new DL restriction codes be implemented. 

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