1.2 Driver's License Classifications, DL Codes (A, A1, B, B1, B2) & Conditions

1.2 Driver's License Classifications, DL Codes (A, A1, B, B1, B2) & Conditions

For decades, driver licensing in the Philippines utilized a numerical system known as Restriction Codes (RC 1 through RC 8) stamped on paper and PVC license cards. Under this legacy framework, RC 1 covered motorcycles, RC 2 covered light passenger cars up to 4,500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), and RC 3 covered heavy commercial trucks over 4,500 kg GVW. While familiar, the legacy system created ambiguities regarding vehicle subcategories, commercial operations, and transmission types.

To align national standards with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, the DOTr and LTO promulgated Administrative Order No. 2019-035 and Memorandum Circular No. 2021-2285. This landmark reform formally abolished numerical restriction codes on all newly issued and renewed licenses, replacing them with a standardized, alphanumeric Driver's License (DL) Code system.

---

Modern DL Codes and UNECE Vehicle Categories

Under the modernized classification system, each DL code corresponds directly to internationally harmonized vehicle categories, defined by passenger capacity, axle configuration, and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW):

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                        PHILIPPINE MODERN DL CODE MATRIX                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                                         |
|   DL CODE A   --> Motorcycles (L1, L2, L3)                                              |
|   DL CODE A1  --> Tricycles, 3-Wheelers (L4, L5), Micro-Cars/Quadricycles (L6, L7)     |
|   DL CODE B   --> Passenger Cars <= 8 passenger seats, GVW <= 5,000 kg (M1)            |
|   DL CODE B1  --> Passenger Vans & MPVs > 8 passenger seats, GVW <= 5,000 kg (M2)     |
|   DL CODE B2  --> Light Commercial Cargo Trucks, GVW <= 3,500 kg (N1)                  |
|                                                                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Detailed Breakdown of Individual Codes

1. DL Code A: Motorcycles (Categories L1, L2, L3)

• Category L1: Two-wheeled vehicles with an engine displacement not exceeding 50 cc (or electric motor equivalent) and a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h (mopeds and light scooters).
• Category L2: Three-wheeled mopeds with speed ≤50 km/h and displacement ≤50 cc.
• Category L3: Two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement exceeding 50 cc or a maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h (underbone motorcycles, standard commuter motorbikes, maxi-scooters, and large displacement highway motorcycles / big bikes).
• Legacy Equivalent: Former Restriction Code 1.

2. DL Code A1: Tricycles, Three-Wheelers & Micro-Cars (Categories L4, L5, L6, L7)

• Category L4: Motorcycles fitted with a sidecar (standard Philippine passenger tricycles).
• Category L5: Three-wheeled motor vehicles with symmetric wheels (motorized three-wheelers, cargo tricycles, auto-rickshaws, and passenger e-trikes).
• Category L6: Light quadricycles (four-wheeled micro-cars with an unladen mass not exceeding 350 kg, maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h, and engine displacement ≤50 cc or electric equivalent ≤4 kW).
• Category L7: Heavy quadricycles (four-wheeled micro-vehicles with an unladen mass not exceeding 400 kg for passenger transport or 550 kg for commercial goods transport).
• Legacy Equivalent: Former Restriction Code 1.

3. DL Code B: Passenger Cars (Category M1)

• Category M1 Definition: Four-wheeled motor vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight (8) seats in addition to the driver's seat (up to 9 total occupants including the driver).
• Weight Limitation: Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) not exceeding 5,000 kg (5 metric tonnes).
• Vehicle Types: Sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, coupes, compact crossovers, and standard mid-size SUVs (e.g., Toyota Vios, Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Toyota Fortuner).
• Legacy Equivalent: Former Restriction Code 2.

4. DL Code B1: Passenger Vans and Multi-Purpose Vehicles (Category M2)

• Category M2 Definition: Passenger vehicles having more than eight (8) passenger seats in addition to the driver's seat (more than 9 total occupants), with a GVW not exceeding 5,000 kg.
• Vehicle Types: Commuter passenger vans, full-size utility vans, multi-purpose passenger shuttles, and light minibuses (e.g., Toyota HiAce Commuter, Nissan Urvan, Hyundai Starex 12-seater).
• Legacy Equivalent: Former Restriction Code 2.

5. DL Code B2: Light Commercial Cargo Trucks (Category N1)

• Category N1 Definition: Commercial motor vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of goods, having a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) not exceeding 3,500 kg (3.5 metric tonnes).
• Vehicle Types: Light pickup cargo trucks, dropside utility trucks, and closed delivery panel vans up to 3,500 kg GVW (e.g., Isuzu Traviz, Mitsubishi L300 Cargo, Hyundai H100 dropside, Ford Ranger cargo flatbed).
• Legacy Equivalent: Former Restriction Code 2.

---

Modern DL Code Summary Matrix

The following table illustrates the operational boundaries, passenger thresholds, and weight limitations across all non-professional DL codes:

[!IMPORTANT] Note the distinction between Code B, B1, and B2. A standard family sedan or 7-seater SUV requires Code B. If you drive a 15-seater passenger van, you must hold Code B1. If you operate a light commercial freight dropside truck up to 3,500 kg GVW, you must hold Code B2.

---

Scope: Non-Professional vs. Professional Driver's License

Under Sections 19 and 24 of Republic Act No. 4136, driver's licenses are divided into two fundamental jurisdictional classifications:

Non-Professional Driver's License (NPDL)

• Statutory Authority: Authorizes the holder to operate privately owned, personal-use motor vehicles.
• Strict Non-Revenue Mandate: The holder is legally prohibited from driving any motor vehicle for hire, compensation, or commercial gain.
• Prohibited Vehicles: An NPDL holder cannot operate a Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ), Public Utility Bus (PUB), metered taxi, motorized tricycle for hire, or Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS, such as GrabCar) carrying paying passengers. Furthermore, an individual cannot be employed as a paid company chauffeur or corporate delivery driver on an NPDL.

Professional Driver's License (PDL)

• Statutory Authority: Mandatory for any individual who operates a motor vehicle for hire, receives payment or salary for operating a motor vehicle, or operates heavy commercial machinery, articulated trucks (Category N2, N3), or large commercial buses (Category M3).

---

Driving conditions and transmission authority

The license record can contain three distinct kinds of limitation: the DL code identifies the vehicle category; the clutch or transmission code identifies manual or automatic authority; and a driving condition records a medically assessed accommodation or restriction. Read the actual fields on the license instead of treating every limitation as an old numbered “restriction code.”

The RA 10930 implementing rules state the transmission rule directly:

• A holder of a manual-transmission (MT) code may also operate the corresponding automatic-transmission vehicle.
• A holder of an automatic-transmission (AT) code may not operate the corresponding manual-transmission vehicle.

This rule should not be mislabeled as “medical Condition 4.” The practical test and approved vehicle category record determine the MT or AT authority. A driver must comply with both the vehicle category and the transmission authority shown in the record.

Medical conditions may require corrective lenses, hearing or limb assistance, a customized vehicle, or another limitation determined through the LTO medical process. The RA 10930 rules additionally restrict holders of driving conditions 2, 3, 4, or 5 from operating for-hire, public utility, or commercial vehicles unless expressly allowed in writing by a qualified medical specialist.

Reading the license correctly

Before driving an unfamiliar vehicle, verify all four questions:

1. Does the license carry the needed DL code for the vehicle category?
2. Does its MT or AT authority cover the vehicle’s transmission?
3. Does the driver comply with every medical or adaptive condition?
4. Is the trip private, or does the use require professional authority and other permits?

Holding Code B does not authorize every passenger or cargo vehicle, and an AT-only test does not authorize a manual car. Conversely, an MT code covers the corresponding AT vehicle under section 12.2. Operating outside the printed authority can be treated as driving without the proper license for the vehicle and can lead to the applicable citation and vehicle disposition.

For examination questions, ignore old restriction-code folklore and classify the facts in order: vehicle type and weight or seating, private or for-hire use, transmission, and any driving condition.