Legal basis and coverage scope
- The order is issued pursuant to Executive Order No. 292, the Administrative Code of 1987.
- The order is issued pursuant to the United Nations Vienna Convention for Road Traffic of 1968, to which the Philippines is a signatory.
- The order is also issued pursuant to Department Order No. 93-693, series of 1992.
- “Highways” include every public thoroughfare, public boulevard, driveway, avenue, park, alley, and callejon, but do not include roadway upon grounds owned by private persons, colleges, universities, or other similar institutions.
- “Driver” covers every and any licensed operator or rider of a motorcycle or scooter.
Key definitions established
- “Electrical accessories” include the horn, brake, headlight, and turn signals of a motorcycle or scooter.
- “Lane splitting” means using or sharing a lane already occupied by one vehicle by another vehicle such as a motorcycle or scooter.
- “Motorcycle” means a two-wheeled motor vehicle having one or two riding saddles.
- “Passenger” means the back rider of a motorcycle or scooter.
- “Protective devices” include helmet, goggles, leather boots, protective clothing such as heavy pants, heavy jackets, leather gloves, and rain suit.
- “Standard helmet” means a protective helmet approved by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with PNS-UNECE 22 marking.
- “School for motorcycle riders” means any motorcycle riding school accredited by the Land Transportation Office.
- “Saddle bag” means a DTI-approved built-in carrier of luggage in a motorcycle.
- “Temporary Operator’s Permit” means the citation ticket issued by LTO deputized agents to those who violate these Rules and Regulations.
Registration and number plates rules
- All motorcycles and scooters used or operated on any highway of the Philippines must be registered with the Land Transportation Office for the current year.
- Registration is done in accordance with Republic Act No. 4136, as amended.
- Every motorcycle or scooter must display, at all times, the reflective number plates issued by LTO.
- Number plates must be kept clean and firmly affixed so they remain entirely visible and legible.
- Motorcycle operations must comply with the LTO requirements for display and legibility of number plates.
Licensing, speed, passengers, and load
- It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle without a valid license to drive a motor vehicle, except as specifically provided by law.
- The license with Restriction Code No. 1 must be carried at all times by the driver/rider when operating a motorcycle or scooter.
- The Restriction Code No. 1 license must be shown and/or surrendered for cause upon demand by any person authorized under R.A. No. 4136.
- The uniform speed standards incorporate the restriction as to speed under Section 35, Article I, Chapter (V of R.A. No. 4136).
- Drivers must drive at a careful and prudent speed not greater nor less than is reasonable and proper, considering traffic, highway width, and other conditions.
- No driver may drive at a speed that endangers life, limb, and property or at a speed that prevents stopping within the assured clear distance ahead.
- Maximum allowable speeds for motorcycles and passenger cars are:
- On open country roads with no “blind concerns” not closely bordered by habitations: 80 kms. per hour
- On “through streets” or boulevards, clear of traffic, with no “blind concerns,” when designated: 40 kms. per hour
- On city and municipal streets, with light traffic, when not designated “through streets”: 30 kms. per hour
- Through crowded streets, approaching intersections at “blind corners,” passing school zones, passing other vehicles stationary, or similar dangerous circumstances: 20 kms. per hour
- Only one (1) back rider is allowed on a motorcycle or scooter, and the back rider must be provided with a seat and footrest.
- A motorcycle or scooter may carry cargo only through saddle bags or tugga9 carriers specifically designed and approved by the DTI.
Helmet, accessories, and equipment standards
- The driver/rider must ensure that the driver and the back rider wear standard helmets.
- Motorcycles or scooters must be equipped with required accessories: headlight, tail light, signal light, brake light, side mirror, and horn.
- The driver/rider must switch on the headlight at all times while operating on the highway.
- The driver/rider must dim the headlight/lower the lamp when operating on well-lighted streets within cities, municipalities, and thickly populated barrios or districts, or whenever meeting another vehicle along a highway.
- Any modification of the original standard design of a motorcycle or scooter must first be subject to approval of LTO and the DTI.
Prohibited acts and miscellaneous traffic rules
- No driver/rider may operate a motorcycle or scooter while under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug.
- No driver/rider may use a cellular phone or other gadgets while operating a motorcycle or scooter.
- The driver/rider must observe the rule of one lane per one vehicle only.
- Lane splitting is prohibited along a road or a highway.
- Motorcycles or scooters may not be operated on sidewalks.
Motorcycle riding school accreditation and waiver
- Any person may establish a motorcycle riding school according to law, provided accreditation is secured from LTO.
- LTO may waive the practical driving test for a student permit holder applying for a driver’s license with Restriction Code No. 1 who has completed a rider’s course from an LTO accredited motorcycle riding school.
- The certificate of completion and graded results of the riding test of the applicant must be submitted to LTO.
Fines, penalties, and license consequences
- Failure of the driver/rider and/or back rider to wear prescribed helmet results in a fine of PHP 1,500.00, plus an accessory penalty requiring the driver/rider to attend a seminar on traffic safety management conducted by LTO.
- Carrying more passengers other than the back rider, or carrying cargo other than saddle bags and luggage carriers, results in a fine of PHP 1,000.00.
- Defective accessories (headlight, tail light, signal light, brake light, side mirror, and horn) result in a fine of PHP 1,000.00.
- Modifying any part of the original design of a motorcycle or scooter without approval of LTO and the DTI results in a fine of PHP 2,000.00.
- Wearing flip flops, sandals, or slippers, or being barefoot, while operating on a road or highway results in:
- PHP 500.00 for the first offense
- PHP 700.00 for the second offense
- PHP 1,000.00 and revocation of driver’s license for the third offense.
Repeal, separability, and superseding effect
- All previous orders and issuances inconsistent with these Rules and Regulations are revoked and superseded.
- If any provision or its application is held invalid, the remainder of the Rules and the application to other persons or circumstances are not affected.