Traffic law in the Philippines

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.

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	Status	Scope
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.
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.
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.
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. This act is based on Act No. 3992 and repeals it.
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.
RA 8750	August 5, 1999	Seat Belts Use Act of 1999		Mandates the inclusion of seat belts on private and public motor vehicles, excluding tricycles and motorcycles.
RA 10054	July 27, 2009	Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009		Mandates the wearing of a standard motorcycle helmet for riders and backriders of motorcycles.
RA 10586	July 23, 2012	Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013		Penalizes driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and other substances.
RA 10666	July 28, 2014	Children's Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015		Regulates the backriding of children onboard on public roads with heavy and fast moving traffic.
RA 10913	July 27, 2015	Anti-Distracted Driving Act		Defines and penalizes distracted driving, particularly with electronics such as mobile phones.
RA 10916	July 27, 2015	Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016		Prohibits the registration and operation of any covered motor vehicle without a speed limiter device.
RA 11697	April 15, 2022	Electric Vehicle Industry Act		Defines policies and responsibilities to create an enabling environment for the development of electric vehicles and micromobility.

Designation	Date passed	Title	Status	Scope
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, by virtue of RA 2000, defining traffic rules and regulations governing limited-access highways.
DPWH DO No. 123 s. 2001	July 18, 2001	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.
LTO AO No. 2006-01	March 31, 2006	Guidelines in the Registration of Light Electric Vehicles		Defines, classifies, and regulates the operation, registration, and related penalties of light electric vehicles, mainly electric motorcycles, scooters, and electric tricycles. Electric bicycles and "bicycle-like" vehicles are not covered by this order.
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.
JAO 2014-01	June 2, 2014	Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation		Additional fines and penalties for the violation of land transportation traffic laws.
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.
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.
LTO AO No. 2021-039	May 11, 2021	Consolidated Guidelines in the Classification, Registration and Operation of All Types of Electric Motor Vehicles		Consolidates and updates the definition, classification, and regulations on electric motor vehicles, including electric cars, electric bicycles, and mobility scooters.
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.
DOTr DO No. 2024-013	September 23, 2024	Guidelines on the Use of Active Transport Infrastructure, Non-Motorized Vehicles and Light Electric Vehicles		Outlines updated guidelines on the proper use of active transportation infrastructure and integration with other modes of transport.

The following laws are only applicable to the Metro Manila area.

Designation	Date passed	Title	Status	Scope
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.

Since its enactment in 1964, there have been 12 amendments to RA 4136, the latest being in 2017.

Designation	Date passed	Title	Scope
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.
PD 382	January 28, 1974	Extending the Period for Registration of All for Hire Motor Vehicles, Amending for the Purpose Sub-paragraph 1, Paragraph, of Section 5, Republic Act Numbered 4136, as Amended	Amends RA 4136 by extending the period for vehicle registration.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
EO 43 s. 1986	August 22, 1986	Restructuring The Private Motor Vehicle Tax	Restructures the Motor Vehicle User's Charge.
RA 8794	June 27, 2000	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.
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.