lto drivers license dl restriction codes" width="1800" height="942" />When you get a driver’s license, it is a must to know which types of motor vehicles you are only allowed to drive legally. This is where the old driver’s license numerical restriction codes apply. However, in 2021, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) rolled out a new alphanumeric code set called Driver’s License (DL) codes and condition codes to specify which vehicle/s you are licensed to drive.
The new DL codes now have nine DL codes, ranging from A to CE, to represent the general types of vehicles. Each DL code is further subdivided into more specific alphanumeric subcategories called Vehicle Category codes to indicate the types of vehicles each DL code holder may operate. These Vehicle Category codes are found on the right of the DL codes at the back of the license. Each alphanumeric code set corresponds to a specific type of vehicle that the license holder may operate.
Table of Contents
lto drivers license dl restriction codes" width="1800" height="942" />
Driver’s license (DL) codes refer to the new alphanumeric codes used by the LTO in place of the old numerical driver’s license restriction codes. It comes in nine different categories, ranging from A to CE, which corresponds to the general types of vehicles. These nine DL categories all have subcategories called Vehicle Category codes which indicate the specific type of vehicle that the license holder may legally operate in the Philippines.
These DL and condition codes are indicated in an individual’s license, regardless if it’s a Professional or a Non-Professional Driver’s License. These codes tell the authorities if the license holder is authorized to drive certain vehicles. Likewise, it tells them if the driver is l operating a vehicle they shouldn’t be touching on Philippine roads, which may lead to hefty LTO fines and violations. More than the fines and penalties, the violations that come with driving vehicles you aren’t l1pl to be driving may keep you from acquiring the 10-year validity license or may get your vehicle impounded.
For your reference, here are the nine Driver’s License (DL) codes together with the respective vehicle category codes under them.
DL Code A refers to the license code reserved for drivers who want to drive motorcycles. This code covers any motorcycle model in the Philippines (e.g., Mio, Aerox, NMax, Smash, Barako, etc.), as well as all types of transmissions, from Automatic to Semi-automatic and Manual transmissions.
License holders with DL Code A may also be eligible to drive the following Vehicle Category Codes:
Two-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 kph
Three-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 kph
Two-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed exceeding 50 kph
This DL Code covers all three-wheeled motor vehicles, including motorcycles with sidecars. As it covers three-wheeled vehicles, this license code also allows drivers to operate transport tricycles and e-tricycles such as Bajaj Re, Yamaha Tricity4, and tuk-tuk (or bokyo). On top of the three-wheeled motor vehicles, this code also covers four-wheeled vehicles with limited unladen mass—meaning, when the vehicle has limited weight when not carrying passengers or other items—and maximum design speed.
All license holders with DL Code A1 may also acquire legal permission to drive the following Vehicle Category Codes:
Motorcycle with sidecar and with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 kph
Three-wheeled symmetrically arranged vehicles with a maximum design speed exceeding 50 kph
Four-wheeled vehicles with unladen mass of not more than 350 kg and with a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 kph
Four-wheeled vehicles with unladen mass of not more than 550 kg and with a maximum design speed of not exceeding 45 kph
This Driver’s License Code covers all car models with up to 8 seats and a mass of not more than 5000 kg. This category allows license holders with DL Code B to drive hatchbacks, coupes, sedans, and SUVs.
It covers one Vehicle Category Code under it, the M1.
This Vehicle Category refers to all vehicles with fewer than eight seats and a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of not exceeding 5000 kg.
This DL Code covers all passenger van models like Honda Odyssey, Toyota Hiace, Ford Transit, etc. as well as the popular mass transport jeepney model.
The Vehicle Category Code under B1, includes:
This Vehicle Category Code refers to passenger vehicles with more than eight seats and a GVW of less than 5000 kg.
This DL code allows drivers to operate all cargo four-wheelers transporting goods and other items for business or commercial purposes. Some vehicle models under this category include Suzuki Carry, Hyundai H100, Isuzu Travis, and Mitsubishi L300.
The Vehicle Category code under B2 is N1.
This vehicle category code refers to vehicles used for the carriage of goods, with a maximum GVW of not exceeding 3500 kg.
Drivers with this DL Code are allowed to drive large trucks such as garbage, containers, and fire trucks.
There are two Vehicle Category codes under this DL Code:
The vehicles under this category are generally used for the carriage of goods, with a maximum GVW of more than 3500 kg but less than 12000 kg.
The vehicles under this category are used for the carriage of goods, with a maximum GVW exceeding 12000 kg.
The drivers with this DL Code on their licenses are allowed to operate any bus model in the Philippines.
There’s only one Vehicle Category code under the DL Code D:
M3 refers to vehicles with more than eight seats and a maximum GVW of more than 5000 kg.
The driver’s license with this DL code is allowed to drive light articulated vehicles that have permanent or semi-permanent pivot joints with lower GVW, like cars with trailers.
The Vehicle Categories under this DL Code are:
Articulated vehicles with GVW of less than 750 kg.
This code allows the license holder to drive articulated vehicles with GVW not exceeding 3500 kg.
The only difference between this DL Code and the previous one is that this has a higher Gross Vehicle Weight requirement. The Vehicle Categories under this DL Code are
Articulated vehicles with GVW exceeding 3500 kg but less than 10000 kg
Articulated vehicles with a GVW of over 10000 kg.
Knowing the Driver’s License (DL) code you are licensed to drive means you can avoid facing penalties and charges for getting caught driving a type of vehicle that you’re not licensed to drive. This saves not only time and money, but also ensures that you can avoid hefty LTO fines and the possibility of getting your vehicle impounded. Plus, it keeps the possibility of getting a 10-year validity license upon renewal.
The basis for vehicle classification in the previous restriction codes is the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and clutch type only. This makes the old system open for misinterpretation. With the new DL codes, the LTO has implemented a more comprehensive restriction system based not only on GVW and clutch type, but also on seat number and maximum vehicle design speed to create a more standardized restriction system.
Here’s a list of the equivalent DL codes with the old LTO restriction codes, according to LTO:
The old Restriction Code 1 (RC 1) allows license holders to drive motorbikes or motorized tricycles. In the new DL codes, it is equivalent to two DL Codes: A and A1.
RC 2 allows drivers the legal permission to drive motor vehicles with up to 4500 kg of GVW. In the new DL code, this is equivalent to DL codes B, B1, and B2, but only those with manual transmission.
RC 3 refers to the restriction code that only allows drivers to operate motor vehicles with above 4500 kg of GVW. It was replaced by DL Codes C and D, though only those with manual transmission.
RC 4 refers to the old restriction code that allows drivers to operate motor vehicles with automatic transmission with a GVW of up to 4500 kgs. It is equivalent to the new DL codes B, B1, and B2, but only those with automatic transmission.
RC 5 refers to the old restriction code that allows licensed drivers to operate vehicles with automatic transmission and with a GVW of above 4500 kgs. It was replaced by DL Codes C and D, though only those with automatic transmission.
The old RC 6 allows license holders to operate articulated vehicles with GVW of 1600 kg & below. The new DL Code BE replaces the old DL restriction code 6.
RC 7 refers to the DL restriction that allows drivers to operate articulated vehicles with GVW of 1601 kg up to 4500 kgs. It is replaced by the new DL Code BE.
RC 8 refers to the old restriction code that allows licensed drivers to operate articulated vehicles with GVW of 4501 kg & above. Since 2021, it has been replaced by DL Code CE.
The new DL codes can be found at the back of your driver’s license and directly on the right of each DL code consist of three components:
The first set of alphanumeric codes indicates the vehicle categories you can operate. In the second set of codes, you can find license classification. “PL” refers to a professional license, whereas “NP” means non-professional license. The last set of alphanumeric codes in the line indicates the transmission type or clutch. “MT” refers to a manual transmission, while “AT” refers to an automatic transmission. Note that if the restriction indicates “MT,” you can operate both manual and automatic transmissions, but if the restriction is “AT,” you may only drive automatic transmissions.
Aside from the restriction codes, the LTO also rolled out new condition codes to identify the driver’s conditions and help them drive safely, depending on their needs and ability to operate a vehicle, as judged by the LTO driver evaluator. While the old condition codes used letters, (A, B, C, D, E), the new condition codes use numbers (1, 2, 3, 4’5.
Here’s the updated list of condition codes that may or may not be indicated in your driver’s license:
The condition code 1 replaced Condition Code A and requires license holders to wear corrective lenses. It is for individuals wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses to drive the vehicle.
The condition code 2 replaced Condition Codes B and C and requires license holders to drive only w/ special equipment for upper/ lower limbs. It is for individual drivers with upper or lower limb impairment, whereas the old system puts them under two different codes depending on which parts are affected.
The condition code 3 requires license holders to drive customized motor vehicles only. It is a new addition. It refers to motor vehicles personalized to address the unique disability of an individual not belonging to other conditions.
The condition code 4 only allows daylight driving to registered license holders. It is unchanged and was the same as the old Condition Code D.
The condition code 5 requires license holders to wear hearing aids. It used to be Condition Code E, but it has been updated to allow individuals with hearing loss to drive a car without the aid of a person with normal hearing.
For your reference, here are some important tips to remember:
You can learn more about the restriction codes and their meanings by watching this explainer video posted by Jeff Ski.
