What happens if I drive without the proper license restriction code in the Philippines?

Restriction codes are in place to keep everyone on the road safe and to make sure that vehicle operators are qualified to be behind the wheel. However, what if you were to go out on a vehicle that you haven’t qualified for on your license? What are the corresponding penalties that you may incur?

Essentially, it’s like driving without a license and that will net you a P3,000 penalty in an LTO ticket. You also get a demerit on your record which will make you ineligible for a 10-year license. On top of that, your vehicle could get impounded as a result of getting caught without a driver’s license that allows you to operate the vehicle. 

If you don’t already know, licenses in the Philippines are the same for motorcyclists, car drivers, truck drivers, and PUV operators. Differentiating one from the other is governed by a set of codes and classifications such as the case with non-professional and professional licenses. 

Restriction codes, determine what types of vehicles a license holder may drive on the roads of the Philippines. There are codes for what type of vehicle, how much it weighs, and also whatever is attached to them like trailers. The LTO also takes into account the transmission of the vehicle. 

A. Motorcycle 

A1. Tricycle 

B. Up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight/8 seats 

B1. Up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight/9 or more seats 

B2. Goods less than or equal to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight 

C. Goods greater than 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight 

D. Bus greater than 5000 kg gross vehicle weight/9 or more seats 

BE. Trailers less than or equal to 3,500 kg

CE. Articulated goods greater than 3,500 kg combined gross vehicle weight

Motorcycle

L1 - two wheels with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h 

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

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

Tricycle/Quadricycle etc. 

L4 - motorcycle with sidecars with a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h

L5 - three wheels symmetrically arranged with a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h 

L6 - four wheels whose unladen mass is not more than 350 kg with maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h

L7 - four wheels whose unladen mass is not more than 550 kg with maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h

Cars, trucks, busses, and trailers 

M1 - vehicles that go up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight with not more than 8 passenger seats 

M2 - vehicles up to 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight with more than 8 passenger seats  

M3 - Vehicles above 5,000 kg gross vehicle weight with more than 8 passenger seats 

N1 - vehicles up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight for carriage of goods

N2 - vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight for the carriage of goods 

N3 - vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight for the carriage of goods 

01 - Articulated vehicle in either manual or automatic vehicle not more than 750 kg gross vehicle weight

02 - Articulated manual or automatic vehicle exceeding 750 up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight 

03 - Articulated vehicle manual or automatic exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight 

04 - Articulated vehicle manual or automatic exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight 

Driver's license classification 

NPL - Non-professional driver's license

PL - Professional driver's license 

Clutch restriction code 

AT - Automatic transmission 

MT - Manual Transmission