 -the mass of the traffic laws, rules and

regulations have their source in laws,

Presidential Decrees (P.D.s), Executive
Orders (E.O.s), Letters of Instructions
(L.O.Is), Administrative Orders and
Implementing Memoranda and other
Special Laws relative to traffic operation
and traffic law enforcement. As a traffic
law enforcer, it is essential that you should
be familiar with these rules and
regulations.
 R.A 4136. This is the basic law regulating land
transportation in the Philippines. It has repealed Act
no. 3992. Further, as amended by R.A Nos. 5715, 6374,
PD Nos. 382, 843, 896, 1057, 1934,1950, 1958, BP Blg.
43, 74
and 398.
 R.A 6539. The act which is known as the
“Anti Carnapping Act of 1972”, the act
preventing and penalizing carnapping.
 R.A 5448. Act imposing a tax on privately owned
passenger automobiles, motorcycles and scooters,
and a science stamp tax, to constitute a special
science fund defining the programs, projects and
activities of science agencies to be financed there
from and for other purposes.
 R.A 8749. Also known as the “Clean Air act”
which regulates emission of toxic gases of both
gasoline and diesel engines and bans the use of
leaded gas for gasoline engines.
 R.A 8750. It provides for the attachment of
seat belts for all types of motor vehicles and
imposes penalty for the non-compliance
thereof.

 R.A 7924. The Act creating the Metropolitan

Manila Development Authority, defining its powers
and functions, providing funds therefor and for
other purposes.
 P.D No. 96. Regulating the use of sirens, bells, horns,
etc.,, by prohibiting the attachment of any siren, horn
bell, etc. on motor vehicles which produce unusual or
startling sounds as well as blinkers and other similar
devices unless the vehicle belongs to the AFP, NBI,
LTO, PNP, BJMP, hospitals and Fire Departments and
are specifically intended for use in emergencies.
 P.D No. 101. Expediting the methods of
prescribing, redefining or modifying the lines and
modes of operations of public utility motor
vehicles in the Philippines.
 P.D No. 207. Declaring as part of the laws of the
Philippines the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic,
Signs and Signals.
 P.D No.612. Requiring compulsory insurance for
all types of vehicles against third party liability as
an additional pre-requisite for registration by the
 LTO.
P.D 1686. Imposing a tax on every motor
equipped with air conditioner.
vehicle
 P.D 1181. Providing for the abatement of
air pollution from motor vehicles and for
other purposes.
 P.D 1605. Granting the Metropolitan Manila
Commission certain powers related to traffic
management and control in Metropolitan
Manila providing penalties, and for other
purposes.
 P.D 98. Regulating the insurance of license
plates of all motor vehicles.
 P.D 109. Modifying P.D 98.
 P.D 1729. Authorizing the Bureau of Land Transportation
to dispose of impounded motor vehicles unclaimed
by owners for a certain period of time.
 P.D 1730. Declaring the syndicated printing,
manufacture, distribution, possession or use of fake
official Bureau of Land Transportation forms,
documents, plates and stickers as offenses involving
economic sabotage.
 L.O.I No. 43. Providing for the removal of all
impediments on roads, streets and highways such
as constructions, stalled or parked vehicles and
other movable property that obstruct free passage.
ThisLOI abrogated city or municipal ordinances
governing the disposition of traffic on city and
municipals streets throughout the country.
 L.O.I No. 112. Prohibiting freight and cargo trucks
from using roads, highways and bridges whose load
capacities are in excess of specific allowable
limits.
 L.O.I No. 229. Requiring all motor vehicle owners,
users, or drivers to have in their possession at all
times while driving at least one (1) pair of early
warning device (EWD) for use when the vehicle is
disabled on roads, streets and highways or other
emergencies compelling the vehicle to be on stop
position.
 L.O.I No. 716. Every motor vehicle to equip at least
a pair of early warning device.

 L.O.I. 551. Directing the law enforcement agencies

to
implement the pollution Control Program.

 L.O.I 853. Calling for the National Tripartite

Conference to consider the establishment of
viable labor-management relations based upon
the “boundary” system in land transportation.

 L.O.I 1009. All owners of private motor vehicles who

desire to stop operating or using their numbers
plates and registration certificates to surrender to
BLT.

 L.O.I 1071. Owners and/or operators of motor
vehicles are authorized to pay the annual premiums
for the insurance of their motors vehicles on
 DOTC D.O.88-305. Rules of pleadings,
practice and procedure for appeals
on franchising, fare rates charges and
other related matters pertinent to land
Transportation Public Utilities.
 D.O. 93-693. Revised Schedule of
Administrative Fees and charges of
the Land Transportation Office.
 Administrative Order No. VIII, S-1968, LTC. Requiring
the towing and impounding of stalled motor
vehicles on public highways and the imposition of
corresponding fees thereof.
 Administrative Order No. 1, S-1973, LTC.
Prescribing guidelines and procedure in
implementation of PD No. 96.
 Administrative Order No. 1, S-1975, LTC. Laying
down the specific rules and action in the
imposition of uniform fines and penalties for
violations of the provision of R.A.4136.
 Special Order No. 101-IRM, LTC. Enumerating
and identifying various city streets where
parking is prohibited.
› LTC Memorandum to All Patrol Officers. Deputies
and Agents – dtd 09 august 1975. Directing that
motor vehicles whose loads are rice, cereals,
fertilizers and other prime commodities are not to
be apprehended and stop on roads and highways
except only in cases of serious violations.
› LTC Memorandum Circular No. 33. Dated 12
September 1972. Providing guidelines in the
apprehension of illegally parked motor
vehicles.
› LTC Circular No. 15, dated 19 January 1972.
Regulating and laying instructions in the use of
Special Commemorative Motor Vehicle Plates.
› M.C 94-199. Aide-memoir regarding retention and
authority by LTO to regular motorized tricycles
under
R.A 4136, and guidelines to implement devolution of
LTFRB’s Franchising Authority over TC’s per R.A 7160
issued by DOTC.
› M.C 94-188. Issuance of driver’s license to
disabled persons.
› M.C. 92-146. Re-implementation of LOI 229, as
amended by LOI 479 directing the installation
of early warning devices of motor vehicles.
› M.C. 94-192. Diesel smoke emission test for
motor vehicles.
› M.C. 90-020. Directing all public land
transportation service operators and drivers to
display in any conspicuous place of their vehicles
the authorized fare matrix for the specific route
granted them to avoid conflict.
› M.C. 93-011. Enjoining all public utility operators to
use garage instead of public places or side streets
in parking their vehicles.
› M.C 94-002. Sanctions on operators arising from
the violations of their drivers.
› M.C. 94-209. Clarificatory guidelines for the
registration/operation of new private
vehicles particularly in the use of
conduction sticker.
› E.O 125. Reorganizing the DOTC, defining its
powers and functions and for other
purposes.

› E.O.266. Providing for two service units in the

office of the Asst. Sec. for land Transportation
in the DOTC (Law Enforcement Service-LES
and Traffic Adjudication Service-TAS),
defining the powers and functions thereof and
for other purposes.
› E.O. 202. Creating the Land
Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

› E.O. 248. Empowering the Land

Transportation Commission to control and
› Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 (B.P. 344). Act
to enhance the mobility of disabled
persons by requiring certain buildings,
institutions, establishments and public
utilities to install facilities and other
devices.
› Memorandum Unnumbered Dated July
13, 1992. Early Warning Device (EWD)
not a requirement for registration.
› SC BarsLawmen from Removing
Car Plates (187 SCRA 432).
 Motor
 ShallVehicle.
mean any vehicle propelled by any
power other than muscular power using the
public highways, but excepting road rollers,
trolley cars, street-sweepers, sprinkles, lawn
mowers, bulldozers, graders, fork-lifts,
amphibian trucks, and cranes if not in used
in public highways, and traction engines of
all kinds used exclusively for agricultural
purposes.
  Passenger
 Shall Automobiles.
mean all pneumatic tire vehicles of types similar
to those usually known under the following terms:
touring car, command car, speedster, sports car,
roadster, jeep, cycle car (except motor wheel and
similar small outfits which are classified with
motorcycles), coupe, landaulet, closed car, limousine,
cabriolet, and sedan.
 Articulated Vehicle.
 Shall mean any motor vehicle with a trailer having
no front axle and so attached that part of the
trailer rests upon the motor vehicle and a
substantial part of the weight of the trailer and of
its load is borne by the motor vehicle. Such trailer
shall be called as “semi-trailer.”
  Driver.
 Shall mean every and any licensed operator of a
motor vehicle.
Professional Driver.
 Every and any driver hired for driving or operating a
motor vehicle, whether for private use or for hire to
the public. Any driver driving his own motor vehicle
for hire is a professional driver.
Owner.
 The actual legal owner of a motor vehicle, in whose
name such vehicle is duly registered with the LTO.
Dealer.
 Every person, association partnership, or corporation
making, manufacturing, constructing, assembling,
remodeling or setting up motor vehicles; and every
such entity acting as agent for the sale of one or
more makes, keeping the same in stock or selling
same or handling with a view to trading same.
Gross
The measured
Weight
 . weight of a motor vehicle plus the
maximum allowable carrying capacity in
merchandise, freight and/or passenger, as determined
by the Commissioner of the LTO.
Highways.
 Every public thoroughfare, public boulevard,
driveway, avenue, park, alley and callejon, but shall
not include roadway upon grounds owned by private
persons, colleges, universities, or other similar
institutions.
Parking or Parked.
 Shall mean that the motor vehicle is parked or parking if
it has been brought to a stop on the shoulder or proper
edge of a highway, and remains inactive in that place
or closed thereto for an appreciable period of time.

Tourist.
 A foreigner who travels from place to place for
pleasure culture.
  Exceeding Registered Capacity
(OVERLOADING)
 Passengers, freight or cargo load of a motor
vehicle should not be more than its registered
carrying capacity. Conductors of public utility
trucks or buses are held liable for the overloading
of vehicles under their charge.
 Cargo Carrying Devices.
 The construction of devices for carrying cargo at
the rear or sides of trucks may be allowed, subject
to the approval of the commissioner but the total
net weight of the device, including cargo, must
not exceed 100 kilos.
  Riding on Running
 Boardprohibited,
It is strictly . except for conductors
collecting passengers fare.

 Riding on the Top of the Motor Vehicle.

 Passengers shall not be allowed to ride on top of
motor vehicles, but baggage or freight may be
carried on top of the truck, provided that the weight
thereof is not more than 20 kilos per square meter
distributed in such a way as not to endanger
passengers or vehicles stability.
  Required Motor
 EveryAccessories.
motor vehicles when operated on a
traffic way should have the following specified
accessories:
Tires- Motor vehicles having metallic
tires are prohibited from operating on any
public highway. If the tires are solid, it
should be thick enough to present the
metal rims from touching the roads.
 Brake- Every motor vehicle
with four (4) or more wheels shall be
provided with dual hydraulic brake
system so that in case of hydraulic line
failure affecting the braking efficiency of
any of the four (4) wheels at least either
the front or rear wheels shall retain
normal braking capabilities.
 Horns- Every motor vehicle shall be
provided with a horn or signaling device in
good order. Provided, however, that no horn
or signaling device emitting exceptionally
loud, startling, or disagreeable sound shall
be installed or used on any motor vehicle.
 Headlight- The vehicle should have two
(2) headlights, one on each side, which
must be dimmed when meeting another
vehicle.
Tail Lights- installed at the rear portion of
the vehicle, this should be visible at least
100 meters away.
Stop Lights- installed also at the
vehicle’s rear.
 Red lights are prohibited at the forward portion of the
vehicle. Motorcycles must have one head lamp and
one tail lights. Lights should be put on when vehicle is
parked or disabled. Appropriate parking lights or
flares are required for vehicles when parked or
disabled in such a way as not to endanger passing
traffic.
Windshield Wiper. Every motor vehicle shall
be equipped mechanically or electrically
operated device for wiping off raindrops or
other moisture from its windshield.
Use of Red Flag- Whenever the load of any
vehicle extends more than one (1) meter
beyond the bed or body thereof, there shall
be displayed at every projecting and of such
load, a red flag not less than 30 cms. Both in
length and width, except that during the hours
fixed under sub- section, there shall be
displayed, in lieu of the red flag, red lights
visible at least 50 meters away.
 Mufflers- Every motor vehicle propelled by an internal
combustion engine shall be equipped with a muffler, and
whenever said motor vehicle passes through a street of any
city, municipality, or thickly populated district or barrio, the
muffler shall not be cut out or disconnected. No motor
vehicle shall be operated in such a manner as to cause it
to emit or make any unnecessary or disagreeable odor,
smoke or noise.
 Hitching on to a Vehicle. The following
practices are prohibited :
Hanging on- to or riding on the outside or
rear
end any vehicle.
Holding on- to any moving vehicle whether
on foot or otherwise.
Driver allowing any person to hang on or ride
outside of or at the rear end of the vehicle.
  Driving while under the influence of liquor
or other prohibited drugs.
> It is absolutely prohibited to operate any
motor vehicle under the influence of liquor or other
prohibited drugs.

 Obstruction of Traffic.
 Obstruction of traffic by operating a motor vehicle in
such a manner as to obstruct, block, or impede the
passage another vehicle is prohibited. This prohibition
applies even when discharging or loading
passengers.
  Duties of Driving in case of
Accident.
 In the event that any accident should occur as a
result of the operation of motor vehicle upon a
highway, the driver shall observe the following :

 Stop immediately.
 Show his driver’s license to inspecting traffic law
enforcer.
 Give his true name and address, including that
of the owner of the vehicle.
 Assist injured persons.
 Take measures to protect belongings of
passengers.
 Report the accident.
 When could the driver leave the area of
accident without being held liable for
HIT- AND-RUN?

His life is in imminent danger of being

harmed by other person/s by reason of
the accident;

He surrenders to proper authority; and

He summons the assistance of physician

or nurse to aid the victim.
 R.A. 4136 mandates that all motor vehicles shall be
registered by its owner before the designated District
Offices of the Land Transportation Office. Law
enforcement officers should keep themselves
abreast with the proper procedures of registering
motor vehicles for them to easily identify
unregistered motor vehicles or motor vehicles
having expired registrations.
 On the other hand, motor vehicle owners as well as
drivers should be aware of the provisions on motor
vehicle registration to avoid unnecessary delays
and penalties whenever registration-related
apprehensions occur.
 Classification of registered Motor
Vehicles.
 Private (not for hire) - These are motor
vehicles use for the personal use of their owners.
 Public Utility Vehicle (for hire)- These
are registered primarily for the conveyance of
passengers and other commercial goods.
 Government- These are the motor vehicles owned
by the government offices and is used for official use
purposes only.
 Diplomat – These are issued to foreign diplomats
and consuls assigned in the Philippines.
Plate numbers – Upon registration, motor vehicles
are assigned with plate numbers. The letter and
numeral prefixes as well as the assigned colors are
based on the date and place of registrations and
purpose of the registered motor vehicle.

 Green with white background – Issued to private or

not for hire motor vehicles.
 Black with yellow background – Issued to PUVs.
 Red (maroon) with white background – Issued
to government owned MVs.
 Blue with white background – Assigned for
foreign
diplomats, consuls, and other foreign
dignitaries.
 Commemorative plate - These special plate
numbers are issued for specific purposes such as
fund-raising for government projects and programs.
•Schedule of Registration – Registration of motor vehicles should be done annually which
follows the numerical suffixes of their plate numbers.
Note: Vehicles must be registered one month in advance of weekly deadlines. For motorcycles, used the
3rd digit.
Example; Plate Number – TNG 984
The above motor vehicles shall be registered in April every year because the last digit is “4” and the day
of registration falls in April 15-21 since the middle digit is “8”.
Letters Prefixes on Plate Numbers. The letter
prefixes indicates:
 Place of initial registration of the motor vehicle;
 Year if initial registration and the possible year
model of the registered motor vehicle could be
determined from the order of the letter prefixes, i.e.,
the higher the letters the later the year of
registration and year model of the motor vehicle.

Example: Vehicle 1 = PLT 255 Vehicle 2 – TNU 636

Special Plate Numbers for Government Officials

 Between the above motor vehicles, Vehicle 1
was registered earlier than Vehicle 2 and
possibly, Vehicle 2’s model is later than Vehicle
2.
 President of the Philippines
 Vice President of the Philippines
 Senate President, etc.
 Driving a motor vehicle in the
Philippines as in other countries is NOT
a right but a privilege granted by the
Philippine Government through the LTO
based on Republic Act 4136 and Batas
Pambansa Blg. 398. Further, it is a
privilege which may be suspended or
revoked.

Driver’s License.
 A document issued to a qualified driver who
possesses the statutory qualification as
provided therefore. It is also a public
document which has the legal presumption of
genuineness.
Duty to procure License.
 Sec.19 of R.A. 4136 states that no person shall operate
any motor vehicle without first procuring a license to a
drive for the current year. To be effective the hands of
its holder, it must not be delinquent, invalid, suspended
or revoked and should be carried at all times and shall
be shown or surrendered for cause when demanded
by a person authorized by R.A 4136 to inspect the
same.

Confiscation of Driver’s license.

 Sec.29 of R.A 4136 mandates that a driver’s license
may be confiscated for violations of R.A 4136, the
rules and regulations issued by the commissioner and
local traffic rules and regulations.
 When a driver’s license is confiscated for any reason,
the traffic enforcer must, however, issue a receipt
(temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) which is good for
72 hours within which the driver may be continue to
operate his vehicle. Failure to settle the case within 15
days will cause suspension or revocation of the
license.
 A driver is licensed by the LTO as proof
of his proficiency in driving his
knowledge of road rules and
regulations while operating a motor
vehicle. Upon proving his proficiency
and knowledge, he will be issued a
document the form of the following
licenses:
International Driver’s
License.
 Bonafide tourist and transients who are
duly licensed to operate motor vehicles
in their respective countries may be
allowed to operate motor vehicles
during their stay but not beyond 90
days of their sojourn in the Philippines.
The applicant must submit the following
requirements:
 The original foreign license plus a photo copy of
the same license.

 In the event that the foreign license is written in the

language of the license holder other than ENGLISH,
a translation of the contents of the license into
ENGLISH from the embassy from which license was
issued.

 In the event that the applicant applies for a license or

if his foreign license is expired at the time that the
application is filed, the applicant will have to undergo
both a WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND AN ACTUAL ROAD
TEST.

 An application form filled by the applicants.

Military Driver’s
License.
 Enlisted personnel of the AFP operating motor
vehicles owned by the government shall be
licensed in accordance with R.A. 4136 but no
license or delinquency fees shall be
collected thereof.
 All licenses so issued shall bear the words “FOR
GOVERNMENT VEHICLES ONLY” plainly marked or
stamped in red inks across the face thereof. A
Military Driver’s License does not authorize the
holder to operate a privately-owned motor
vehicle.
Professional Driver’s License.
 This licensed is issued to a driver hired or paid for
driving or operating a motor vehicle whether
private use or for hire to the public. Any person
driving his own motor vehicle for hire is a
professional driver.

 The change of status from non-professional driver’s

license does not require the holder to submit to other
test or examinations. The distinctive features of the
holder of professional driver’s license are the
privilege to make driving a means of livelihood.

 Restriction - the type of category of authorized

to drive is indicated on the face of the license.
 Validity- The license is valid for 3 birth years of
succeeding year and automatically expires if
not renewed on due date.
Non-professional Driver’s License.
 This kind of license is issued owned of privately-owned
motor vehicles or those not for hire or paid for driving.
 There are two kinds of applicants for no-professional
driver’s license: holder of student permit for 4-5 months
and, the applicant for the renewal of the expired non-
professional driver’s license.

Student Driver’s License.

 This kind of document is issued to persons who desire to
learn how to drive. A student driver cannot operate a
vehicle unless accompanied by an instructor who may
either be a licensed professional or non-professional driver.
 The submission by the applicant of the birth certificate, 3-
copies of ID picture, payment receipt for the corresponding
fees and having met the entire basic requirements for the
issuance or student permit. It is at this stage, where novice
drivers learn the rudiments of driving, the essential
components of motor skill and control of vehicles. Under
existing provision of law, the validity of a student permit is
one
(1)year, but after four (4) months and the holder’s
competency is proven beyond question. He is eligible
to apply non-professional driver’s license.