LTO Driver's License Restriction Codes Meanings and List

LTO Driver’s License Restriction Codes. When you get your driver’s license, you must know what types of motor vehicles are legal for you to drive. The old driver’s license numerical restriction codes apply here. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) rolled out a new alphanumeric code set in 2021 called Driver’s License (DL) codes and condition codes to specify which vehicles you can drive.

New DL codes, ranging from A to CE, represent the general types of vehicles. DL codes are further divided into alphanumeric subcategories called Vehicle Category codes to indicate what type of vehicle each DL code holder may operate. DL codes appear on the back of the license to the right of these Vehicle Category codes. The alphanumeric code sets identify a specific type of vehicle that may be operated by the license holder.

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What Are LTO Driver’s License Restriction Codes

Driver’s License (DL) codes are special letter and number combinations used by the LTO (Land Transportation Office) instead of the old number-based restrictions on driver’s licenses. There are nine different categories, from A to CE, which match the main kinds of vehicles. Within these nine categories, there are subcategories known as Vehicle Category codes that specify the exact type of vehicle a person can legally drive in the Philippines.

These DL and condition codes are shown on an individual’s driver’s license, whether it’s a Professional or Non-Professional Driver’s License. They inform the authorities whether someone is allowed to drive specific vehicles. These codes also help in preventing people from driving vehicles they’re not supposed to be driving on Philippine roads.

Driving the wrong type of vehicle can lead to serious fines and violations from the LTO. Aside from the fines and penalties, breaking these rules might stop you from getting a 10-year valid license or even result in your vehicle being taken away by the authorities.

What Are Driver’s License Codes and Vehicle Category Codes, and What Do They Mean?

Driver’s License Codes, or DL Codes, are like secret words that tell us what kinds of vehicles people can drive. There are nine of these DL codes. Let’s talk about DL Code A. If you have DL Code A, it means you can drive motorcycles. You know, those cool bikes! DL Code A covers all kinds of motorcycles in the Philippines, like Mio, Aerox, NMax, Smash, Barako, and more. It doesn’t matter if the motorcycle is automatic, semi-automatic, or manual; DL Code A lets you ride them all.

But that’s not all! If you have DL Code A, you might also be allowed to drive different types of vehicles, which have their own secret codes. Let me tell you about a few of them:

L1:

This code is for two-wheeled vehicles that can go up to 50 kilometers per hour.

L2:

It’s for three-wheeled vehicles that also have a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour.

L3:

Here, it’s about two-wheeled vehicles, but these can go faster than 50 kilometers per hour.

DL Code A1: Tricycle

This code is for driving three-wheeled vehicles, like motorcycles with sidecars. It also lets you drive transport tricycles and electric tricycles, such as Bajaj Re, Yamaha Tricity4, and tuk-tuks. In addition to three-wheeled vehicles, it covers four-wheeled vehicles that are lightweight and not very fast.

If you have a license with DL Code A1, you can also drive these types of vehicles:

L4

Motorcycles with sidecars that can’t go faster than 50 kph.

L5

Three-wheeled vehicles that are evenly balanced and can go faster than 50 kph.

L6

Four-wheeled vehicles that weigh less than 350 kg and can’t go faster than 45 kph.

L7

Four-wheeled vehicles that weigh less than 550 kg and can’t go faster than 45 kph.

DL Code B: Passenger Car

This driver’s license code is for regular cars. It covers all car models with up to 8 seats and that weigh no more than 5000 kg. If you have a DL Code B, you can drive hatchbacks, coupes, sedans, and SUVs.

It has a special category called M1.

M1

This category is for vehicles with fewer than eight seats and they can’t weigh more than 5000 kg.

DL Code B1: Passenger Van or Jeepney

This driver’s license code is for passenger vans like Honda Odyssey, Toyota Hiace, Ford Transit, and also for the popular mass transport jeepney model.

The special category under B1 is M2.

M2

This category is for passenger vehicles with more than eight seats, as long as they don’t weigh more than 5000 kg.

DL Code B2: Light Commercial Vehicle

This driver’s license code allows you to drive small commercial vehicles used for transporting goods or for business purposes. Some vehicle models in this category include Suzuki Carry, Hyundai H100, Isuzu Travis, and Mitsubishi L300.

The special category under B2 is N1.

N1

This category is for vehicles used to carry goods, but they can’t weigh more than 3500 kg.

DL Code C: Big Trucks

If you have a DL Code C on your license, you can drive large trucks like garbage trucks, container trucks, and fire trucks.

There are two types of big trucks you can drive with this code:

N2

These trucks are used to carry things and weigh more than 3500 kg but less than 12000 kg.

N3

These trucks are for carrying stuff and weigh more than 12000 kg.

DL Code D: Buses

With a DL Code D on your license, you can drive any kind of bus in the Philippines.

There’s only one type of bus under this code:

M3

M3 buses have over eight seats and weigh more than 5000 kg.

DL Code BE: Driving Light Articulated Vehicles

A driver’s license with the DL code BE lets you drive light articulated vehicles. These are vehicles that have parts that can move and bend a little, like cars with trailers. These vehicles have a certain weight limit.

Here are the types of vehicles you can drive with this license:

O1:

You can drive articulated vehicles that weigh less than 750 kg.

O2:

This code allows you to drive articulated vehicles as long as they don’t weigh more than 3500 kg.

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DL Code CE: Driving Heavy Articulated Vehicles

This DL code is very similar to the previous one, but it’s for bigger and heavier vehicles. The only real difference is that these vehicles can be much heavier.

Here are the types of vehicles you can drive with this license:

O3:

You can drive articulated vehicles that weigh more than 3500 kg but less than 10000 kg.

O4:

With this code, you can drive articulated vehicles that weigh over 10000 kg.

Why is it Important to Know the DL Codes

When you know the DL code you’re licensed to drive, you can avoid facing penalties and charges for driving a vehicle you can’t legally operate. This not only saves you time and money, but also prevents you from getting hefty LTO fines and having your vehicle impounded. A 10-year license can also be obtained upon renewal.

What are the New DL Codes for the Old Vehicle Restrictions?

In the past, vehicle restrictions were based on just two things: how heavy the vehicle was and whether it had manual or automatic transmission. This made it confusing sometimes. But now, the LTO has made it better. They created new DL codes that consider not only the weight and transmission but also the number of seats and how fast the vehicle can go. This way, it’s easier to understand.

Here’s a list that shows how the old and new codes match up, according to the LTO:

Old Restriction Code 1: This allowed people to drive motorcycles or motorized tricycles. In the new DL codes, it’s now two codes: A and A1.
Old Restriction Code 2: If you had this, you could drive vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of up to 4500 kg. In the new DL codes, it’s now DL codes B, B1, and B2, but only if the vehicle has a manual transmission.
Old Restriction Code 3: This allowed people to drive vehicles with a GVW above 4500 kg. Now, it’s replaced by DL Codes C and D, but again, only for vehicles with manual transmission.
Old Restriction Code 4: If you had this, you could drive vehicles with automatic transmission and a GVW of up to 4500 kg. In the new DL codes, it’s now DL codes B, B1, and B2, but only for vehicles with automatic transmission.
Old Restriction Code 5: This allowed licensed drivers to operate vehicles with automatic transmission and a GVW above 4500 kg. Now, it’s replaced by DL Codes C and D, but only for vehicles with automatic transmission.
Old Restriction Code 6: This let people drive articulated vehicles with a GVW of 1600 kg or less. The new DL Code BE takes its place.
Old Restriction Code 7: If you had this, you could drive articulated vehicles with a GVW from 1601 kg up to 4500 kg. Now, the new DL Code BE replaces it.
Old Restriction Code 8: This allowed licensed drivers to operate articulated vehicles with a GVW of 4501 kg and above. Since 2021, it’s been replaced by DL Code CE.

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Where to Find Your New Driver’s License Codes

You can find your new driver’s license codes on the back of your license. Each code is made up of three parts and is located on the right side.

How to Understand the New DL Codes on Your License

The first part of the code, made up of letters and numbers, tells you what types of vehicles you can drive. The second part of the code shows your license type. “PL” means you have a professional license, and “NP” means it’s a non-professional license. The last part of the code tells you about the transmission of the vehicle. “MT” means manual transmission, and “AT” means automatic transmission. If your code has “MT,” you can drive both manual and automatic cars. But if it says “AT,” you can only drive automatic cars.

New LTO Condition Codes Simplified:

The LTO (Land Transportation Office) introduced new codes to tell how well a driver can drive and stay safe. The LTO checks these codes to see if a driver is fit to drive. Before, there were letter codes (like A, B, C, D, E), but now there are number codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Here’s the new list of these codes that might be on your driver’s license:

Condition Code 1: If you have Condition Code 1, it means you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to drive.
Condition Code 2: If you have Condition Code 2, it means you need special equipment for your arms or legs to drive. This is for drivers who have trouble using their arms or legs.
Condition Code 3: If you have Condition Code 3, it means you can only drive cars that are specially made for people with disabilities. This is new.
Condition Code 4: If you have Condition Code 4, you can only drive during the daytime. It’s the same as the old Condition Code D.
Condition Code 5: If you have Condition Code 5, you need to wear hearing aids to drive. This used to be Condition Code E but has been updated to let people with hearing problems drive without someone with normal hearing.

Conclusion

The driver’s license restrictions are in place to regulate drivers and vehicles, regardless of the old restriction codes or the new DL codes. The LTO uses these codes to prevent people without proper knowledge and experience from driving vehicles that may endanger themselves, pedestrians, and other motorists.