Traffic law in the Philippines consists of multiple laws that govern the regulation and management of road transportation and the conduct of road users within the country.
The official and latest traffic code of the Philippines is Republic Act No. 4136, also known as the "Land Transportation and Traffic Code", which was enacted into law on June 20, 1964.[1]
Applicable laws
The following table lists all Philippine laws applicable to the governance of road transportation and road users across the Philippines or in specific major areas within the country.
Designation
Date passed
Title
Scope
List of national traffic laws
Act No. 3045
March 10, 1922
Motor Vehicle Law
Establishes a law regulating motor vehicle traffic and requiring the registration of motor vehicles and licensing of motor vehicle drivers.[2]
Act No. 3992
December 3, 1932
Revised Motor Vehicle Law
Revises provisions in Act No. 3045. Some of these changes include changes to definitions, penalties, and speed limits. [3]
RA 2000
June 22, 1957
Limited Access Highway Act
Authorizes the construction of limited-access highways and defines traffic laws applicable to users of limited-access highways.[4]
RA 4136
June 20, 1964
Land Transportation and Traffic Code
National traffic code. Covers the regulation and licensing of owners, dealers, conductors, drivers, and similar matters of motor vehicles, as well as the traffic laws that apply only to motor vehicles.[1] This act is based on Act No. 3992 and repeals it.[3]
DPWC AO No. 1 s. 1968
February 19, 1968
Revised Rules and Regulations Governing Limited Access Highways
An administrative order issued by the Department of Public Works and Communications (now the Department of Public Works and Highways), by virtue of RA 2000, defining traffic rules and regulations governing limited-access highways.[5]
PD 96
January 13, 1973
Presidential Decree No. 96
Prohibits and penalizes the usage of sirens, horns, or other similar gadgets with "exceptionally loud or startling sound" on motor vehicles and restricts such usage to authorized government vehicles.[6]
Revised Rules and Regulations Governing Limited Access Highways
Amends provisions in DPWC AO 1 s. 1968 to allow motorcycles on limited access highways and defines rules and regulations specific to motorcycles on such highways.[8]
LTO AHS 2008-015
May 15, 2008
Rules and Regulations for the Use and Operation of Motorcycles on Highways
Defines traffic rules and regulations for motorcycles on roads and highways.[9]
Prohibits the registration and operation of any covered motor vehicle without a speed limiter device.[15]
JMC 2018-01
January 17, 2018
Guidelines and Standards for the Classifications of Roads, Setting of Speed Limits Under Republic Act No. 4136, and Collection of Road Crash Data
Standardizes speed limits to be based on road classification and empowers local government units to collect road crash data and set local speed limits on local roads.[16]
DOTr DO No. 2020-14
August 25, 2020
Guidelines and Protocols for Active Transportation and Light Mobility Vehicles
Establishes and prescribes road safety protocols and penalties for motor vehicles, bicycles, and other non-motorized transport on the road.[17]
LTO AO No. 2021-039
May 11, 2021
Consolidated Guidelines in the Classification, Registration and Operation of All Types of Electric Motor Vehicles
Defines policies and responsibilities to create an enabling environment for the development of electric vehicles and micromobility.[19]
LTO AO No. VDM-2024-044
February 21, 2024
Amended Consolidated Guidelines in the Classification, Registration and Operation of All Types of Electric Vehicles
Amends and revises sections of LTO AO No. 2021-039 for light electric vehicles.[20]
The following laws are only applicable to the Metro Manila area.
Designation
Date passed
Title
Scope
List of Metro Manila traffic laws
Joint Metro Manila Traffic Circular No. 01
February 1, 2023
Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023
Regional traffic code for Metro Manila covering unified traffic rules, regulations, ticketing, and penalties.[21]
Since its enactment in 1964, there have been 12 amendments to RA 4136, the latest being in 2017.
Designation
Date passed
Title
Scope
List of amendments to RA 4136
RA 5715
June 21, 1969
An Act Amending Section Thirty-four of Republic Act Numbered Four Thousand One Hundred Thirty-six
Amends RA 4136 by allowing reflectors in place of lights when parked and requiring either of them for vehicle registration.[22]
PD 382
January 28, 1974
Extending the Period for Registration of All for Hire Motor Vehicles, Amending for the Purpose Sub-paragraph 1, Paragraph (B), of Section 5, Republic Act Numbered 4136, as Amended
Amends RA 4136 by extending the period for vehicle registration.[23]
PD 843
December 12, 1975
Amending Republic Act No. 4136, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code by Increasing the Annual Registration Fee on Private Automobiles and Imposing an Ad Valorem Tax Thereon, and for Other Purposes
Amends RA 4136 by increasing registration fees and imposing excise tax.[24]
PD 896
February 26, 1976
Further Amending Republic Act No. 4136, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Amends RA 4136 by updating the registration fees and schedule for registration.[25]
PD 1057
November 30, 1976
Further Amending Republic Act No. 4136, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Amends RA 4136 by including vehicles owned by GOCCs for registration.[26]
BP 74
June 11, 1980
An Act Amending Certain Sections Of Republic Act Numbered Forty-one Hundred and Thirty-six, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Amends the compulsory vehicle registration sections of RA 4136.[27]
BP 398
May 18, 1983
An Act Amending Certain Sections of Republic Act Numbered Forty-one Hundred and Thirty-six, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Amends RA 4136 by requiring the possession of the driver's license and updating driver's licensing classifications.[28]
PD 1934
June 11, 1984
Amending Certain Sections of Republic Act Numbered Forty One Hundred And Thirty Six Otherwise Known As The Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Amends RA 4136 by updating its annual vehicle registration fees and a road users' charge.[29]
PD 1950
September 5, 1984
Amending Certain Sections of Presidential Decree No. 1934, Amending Republic Act No. 4136
Adjustments to the road users' charge in PD 1934, which amends RA 4136.[30]
An Act Imposing A Motor Vehicle User's Charge On Owners Of All Types Of Motor Vehicles And For Other Purposes
Further amends RA 4136 and nationalizes the implementation of the Motor Vehicle User's Charge implemented in BP 74 and EO 43 s. 1986.[32]
RA 10930
July 25, 2017
An Act Rationalizing and Strengthening the Policy Regarding Driver's License by Extending the Validity Period of Drivers' Licenses, and Penalizing Acts in Violation of Its Issuance and Application Amending for Those Purposes Section 23 of Republic Act No. 4136, as Amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 398 and Executive Order No. 1011, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Amends RA 4136 with updated clauses on the validity and registration of driver's licenses and related penalties.[33]
Motor vehicles in the Philippines are classified according to whether they are propelled by diesel, electric, or gasoline powered motor engines, as well as their maximum design speed and vehicle weight. Electric motor vehicles, including electric cars, electric buses, electric trucks, electric motorcycles and scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar vehicles are classified similarly to gasoline and diesel motor vehicles subject to different restrictions.[18]
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order No. 2021-039, which was issued on May 11, 2021, classifies these vehicles into different classifications. Some of these classification may regulate the roads that these vehicles are permitted to operate on, the requirement of vehicle registration and need for a driver's license to operate, and the requirement of a motorcycle or bicycle helmet.[18]
These guidelines were revised in 2024 through LTO Administrative Order No. VDM-2024-044, which requires all electric vehicles on public highways to be registered with the LTO, except for those used only on private roads. The revised guidelines also changed the bicycle helmet requirement for some classifications to use motorcycle helmets.[20]
Republic Act No. 917 or the Philippine Highway Act of 1953 prohibits highways, bridges, or right-of-ways covered by RA 4136 from being obstructed, or from being usurped or converted to private use. The act also prohibits the removal or tampering of road infrastructure such as markers, signs, and other road-side facilities.[34]
In Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Traffic Code covers all roads and public places within the metro.[21]
Parking
Under RA 4136 and the Metro Manila Traffic Code, a motor vehicle is considered to be parked when it has been stopped on the shoulder or edge of a highway for an "appreciable" period of time. A motor vehicle stopping to unload passengers or cargo is not considered to be parked if the vehicle moves away "without delay".[1][21]
RA 4136 states that parking a vehicle — by leaving it attended or unattended for an "appreciable" period of time — is prohibited inside an intersection or within 6 m (20 ft) of it, in front of a private driveway, on a pedestrian crossing, within 4 m (13 ft) of a fire hydrant or a driveway of a fire station, and where "no parking" signs are placed.[1]
Parking on any sidewalk, path, or alley not intended for vehicular traffic or parking (such as bicycle lanes) is also prohibited by RA 4136 and DOTr Department Order No. 2020-014.[1][17]
Standard rules
List of some standard rules of the road for motor vehicles and animal-drawn vehicles, all based on RA 4136:[1]
Keep to the right of the road except to pass others, where passing is allowed
Vehicles must not exceed their registered carrying capacity
Speed limits for motor vehicles across the country are defined by RA 4136 based on the type of roads and their conditions. A higher maximum speed limit is generally applied to light motor vehicles while lower maximum speed limits are applied to heavier motor vehicles.[1]
There are no minimum speed limits on public roads except on expressways.[5] However, RA 4136 states that a driver of a motor vehicle must drive at a "careful and prudent speed, not greater nor less than is reasonable and proper" with regards to road conditions.[1]
Pursuant to DILG-DPWH-DOTr Joint Memorandum Circular 2018-001, local government units may designate lower maximum speed limits on local roads in the interest of road safety.[16][21]
Lane splitting and lane filtering is not explicitly illegal on Philippine roads for any type of vehicle. However, lane sharing (which is incorrectly defined as "lane splitting") is considered illegal for motorcycles under LTO Administrative Order 2008-015, which states that a motorcycle or scooter must observe one lane per vehicle only.[9] This policy however, is not actively enforced on the road.[35]
Section 3 of DPWC AO No. 1 s. 1968 prohibits any vehicle from lane splitting, lane sharing, or lane filtering on all expressways in the Philippines. This also applies to motorcycles, as of DPWH Department Order No. 123 s. 2001.[5][36]
Expressways in the Philippines have a passing lane designated for overtaking and lanes designated for slow-moving vehicles.[5] This however does not apply to public roads by default.
Section 3 of DPWC AO No. 1 s. 1968 states that slow-moving vehicles must use the right lane and use the left lane only when passing.[5]
Liability in incidents
RA 4136 states that any accident resulting in death or injuries of another person due to negligence or reckless or unreasonable fast driving will be subject to provisions of the Revised Penal Code.[1]
The traffic code also states that in the event of an accident, the driver must stop and show their drivers' license and the details of registration of the vehicle to the other parties involved. No driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident should leave the scene without aiding any victims except if there is imminent danger of harm, if the incident is reported to law enforcement, or if medical services are called.[1]
The Civil Code of the Philippines also dictates in the following articles that the liability of operating motor vehicles falls primarily on the owner or driver:[37]
Article 2184 states that in motor vehicle mishaps, the owner is solidarily liable with his driver, if the former, who was in the vehicle, could have, by the use of the due diligence, prevented the misfortune. It is disputably presumed that a driver was negligent, if he had been found guilty of reckless driving or violating traffic regulations at least twice within the next preceding two months. If the owner was not in the motor vehicle, the provisions of article 2180 are applicable.
Article 2185 states that unless there is proof to the contrary, it is presumed that a person driving a motor vehicle has been negligent if at the time of the mishap, he was violating any traffic regulation.
Article 2186 states that every owner of a motor vehicle shall file with the proper government office a bond executed by a government-controlled corporation or office, to answer for damages to third persons. The amount of the bond and other terms shall be fixed by the competent public official.
In 2004, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled in Añonuevo v. Court of Appeals that Article 2185 was not intended at the time of its creation in 1950 to also cover non-motorized vehicles on the road, affirming previous rulings that have affirmed the higher level of responsibility expected from motor vehicle drivers. The ruling also clarifies the principle of negligence per se, which states that to indict individuals for negligence in an incident, the violation of a statutory duty must directly cause the incident.[38]
RA 4136 states that within commercial or residential areas, drivers of vehicles must yield the right of way to a pedestrians crossing public roads on pedestrian crossings, except when traffic movement is regulated by traffic enforcers. On the other hand, pedestrians must yield their right of way to motor vehicles when crossing a public road at any point other than a pedestrian crossing.[1]
Traffic restrictions
Outside of the traffic code, there are traffic restrictions which designate the time and day that certain vehicles or road users are allowed to operate on, as well as specific roads where these restrictions are enforced or exempted on.
RA 11697 provides that light electric vehicles may also use bicycle lanes.[19] All light electric vehicles with a maximum design speed below 60 km/h (37 mph) are prohibited on roads designated as expressways.[5]
Motorcycles
Motorcycles and mopeds are allowed on most roads with the exception of roads designated as expressways.
Only two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement of 400 cc (24 cu in) and three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement of 600 cc (37 cu in) are allowed to be used on expressways.[5][40]
Some highways, particularly in Metro Manila, have motorcycle lanes where motorcycles are designated to use. However, these lanes are usually not exclusive to motorcycles and allow other road users to use them and require motorcycles to remain in the lane. One exception to this is the motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue where vehicles other than motorcycles may be penalized for unnecessary usage of the motorcycle lane.[41]
All non-motorized transport are prohibited on roads designated as expressways.[5]
Bicycle lanes are lanes along roads or separate paths designated for the exclusive or shared use of bicycles, non-motorized transport, and light electric vehicles.[17][19] The generally applied rule is that only personal kick scooters, mobility scooters, bicycles, and pedal-assist bicycles are allowed to use bicycle lanes.[17][18]
In Metro Manila, alongside LEVs, pedicabs and kuligligs are prohibited from traversing major roads and may only cross said roads as designated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in MMDA Regulation 24-002 and its implementing guidelines in MMDA Memorandum Circular No. 4 s. 2024.[39]
Some cities and municipalities have local traffic codes require the registration of bicycles and mandate that bicycles are to be ridden only on bicycle lanes when present along a road, such as in San Juan[42] and Mandaluyong.[43] However, the bicycle-specific sections of the majority of these ordinances are not being actively enforced or may have been forgotten.[citation needed]
Public utility vehicles
Public transport vehicles, such as jeepneys, buses, and the UV Express are restricted to use designated lanes on certain roads. A notable example of this is the EDSA Busway, located on the inner lanes of EDSA in Metro Manila, which is restricted for the exclusive use of EDSA Carousel route buses and authorized government vehicles.
Similar to trucks, buses are to use the outermost lanes on the expressway. On the other hand, both public and private jeepneys are classified the same as cars and are allowed on all lanes.[citation needed]
Tricycles, pedicabs, and motorized tricycles used for public transport are prohibited from using national highways based on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2020-036. This restriction does not apply to those being used for private use.[44]
Trucks are prohibited from passing through certain roads due to their large size and concern for safety around trucks. In Metro Manila, a truck ban ordinance prohibits trucks from most roads during the day and designates certain roads that are exempted from the truck ban.[45]
Some highways such as Circumferential Road 5 have designated lanes that trucks must stay in at all times while traversing the road, usually designated on the third lane from the sidewalk.[46] In addition to this, expressways have also designated the outermost lanes as lanes where trucks are only allowed to use.[citation needed]
^Republic Act No. 10913 (20 June 1964), Anti-Distracted Driving Act(PDF), archived(PDF) from the original on January 1, 2023, retrieved September 1, 2023