LTO DL Codes vs Restriction Codes 1-8 Guide 2026

Since 2021, LTO has issued licenses with alphanumeric DL codes instead of the old numeric restriction codes 1-8. Older cards still showing only the numeric codes remain valid until they expire. You are not required to replace a card early just to get the new codes. Here is what each code covers:

No, not on its own. DL code A1 covers tricycles and motorcycles fitted with a sidecar (three- and four-wheeled vehicles), not solo two-wheeled motorcycles. Riding a regular two-wheeled motorcycle requires DL code A specifically. In the reverse direction, DL code A (motorcycle) does not by itself authorize a tricycle. That needs A1. Both codes trace back to the same old Restriction Code 1, which is why LTO commonly issues A and A1 together to riders who take the motorcycle practical exam, but they are technically separate categories.

Your license shows either the old numeric restriction code (a single digit or several digits separated by commas, for example '2,4') or the newer alphanumeric DL code (for example 'B, B1'), depending on when your card was issued. Both appear in the 'Restrictions' field below your license number. If you have a digital copy of your license, the code is visible in the same location. You can also verify your code through the LTO Portal at portal.lto.gov.ph by logging in with your license number and birthdate. The portal displays your complete license details including all active codes. For paper Student Permit holders, the code is handwritten on the permit by the LTO examiner after you pass the PDC. If your code is missing or illegible, visit any LTO office with your license and request a free verification. The LTO officer will print a verification slip showing your official code on file.

Expressway operators enforce LTO codes at toll plazas. Motorcycles under DL code A or A1 (old Restriction Code 1) cannot use NLEX, SLEX, Skyway, TPLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, MCX, or STAR Tollway unless the motorcycle is 400cc or above and the rider has completed the Motorcycle Safety Training Seminar. The LTO and TRB require motorcycles on expressways to meet three conditions: 400cc minimum displacement, a valid license with DL code A or A1, and a motorcycle that has passed LTO roadworthiness inspection. Riders caught on expressways with sub-400cc motorcycles face ₱3,000 LTO violation plus ₱5,000 TRB expressway violation. Car drivers with DL code B, B1, or B2 can use all expressways without limitations as long as the vehicle is Class 1 (cars, SUVs, vans, pickups under 4,500 kg GVW). Vehicles under commercial DL codes C, D, BE, or CE pay higher toll rates (Class 2 or Class 3) because of their heavier GVW and must follow truck lane and truck ban restrictions on certain expressways; confirm your vehicle's exact toll class with the tollway operator or on your OR/CR.

You can add a DL code by completing additional PDC training for that vehicle class and applying for a license amendment at any LTO office. To add DL code A or A1 (motorcycle or tricycle) to an existing B-class license, complete Motorcycle PDC training, pass the motorcycle practical exam, then submit your Certificate of Completion to LTO with the license amendment fee. The new license will show the added code alongside your existing one. To upgrade from an automatic-only DL code to one that also covers manual transmission, enroll in manual PDC training at an accredited driving school, pass the practical exam, then submit your Certificate of Completion to LTO for amendment. Upgrading from a non-professional license (A, A1, B, B1, B2) to a professional license (C, D, BE, CE) requires passing the LTO Professional Driver's Exam, an NBI clearance, a drug test, and PDC training for the specific commercial class. See the Professional vs Non-Professional section below. For amendment fees, processing times, or anything not covered here, check your LTMS account or confirm at the LTO office, since requirements can vary by branch.

1. 1

   Enroll in Additional PDC Training

   Visit an LTO-accredited driving school and enroll in the vehicle category you want to add. For manual transmission, enroll in Manual PDC. For motorcycles, enroll in Motorcycle PDC. Training takes 8-15 hours over 3-5 days.

   Choose driving schools near LTO offices to simplify the certificate submission process.

2. 2

   Complete PDC and Pass Practical Exam

   Attend all PDC sessions and pass the final practical driving exam. The driving school will issue a Certificate of Completion with LTO validation stamp. Keep the original certificate. You'll submit this to LTO.

   Request 2 photocopies of your PDC certificate before submitting to LTO in case of processing delays.

3. 3

   Submit Documents to LTO Licensing Section

   Visit any LTO office and go to the Licensing Section. Submit your PDC Certificate, current driver's license, and 1 valid ID. Pay ₱585 license amendment fee at the cashier. The LTO officer will process your restriction code change.

   Go to LTO on weekdays before 10:00 AM to avoid long queues. Bring ₱1,000 cash for fees and photocopies.

4. 4

   Claim New License Card

   The LTO will issue a temporary paper license valid for 60 days. Your new plastic license card with updated restriction codes will be mailed to your address or available for pickup at the LTO office within 21-30 days. Check LTO Portal for card printing status.

   Update your address on the LTO Portal before applying to ensure your new card is mailed to the correct location.

The most common violation is driving a vehicle outside your DL code's coverage. A driver licensed only for DL code A or A1 (motorcycles) caught driving a car faces ₱3,000 fine under RA 4136 Section 28 (Operating a Motor Vehicle Without License). Repeat offenders face license suspension for 3 months on second offense and 1 year on third offense. The LTO also imposes a 6-month suspension if you're caught driving a Professional-class vehicle (jeepney, bus, truck) with only a Non-Professional license, even if your DL code otherwise matches that vehicle type. For expressway violations, riding a sub-400cc motorcycle on NLEX or SLEX results in ₱3,000 LTO fine plus ₱5,000 TRB expressway violation plus vehicle impoundment. The total penalty reaches ₱8,000 plus towing fees. MMDA and LTO enforcers use handheld scanners to verify license codes during checkpoints. They cross-reference your license against the vehicle you're driving and issue violation tickets immediately if there's a mismatch.

Student Permit holders receive a temporary code after completing TDC and PDC. The LTO examiner writes the code on your paper Student Permit based on which vehicle type you trained on. If you took PDC in a car, your Student Permit shows DL code B, noted as automatic-only if you trained on an automatic transmission vehicle. If you took PDC on a motorcycle, your permit shows DL code A or A1. Student Permit holders cannot use expressways regardless of the vehicle class trained on. The TRB and LTO prohibit Student Permit drivers from limited-access toll roads until they obtain a full Non-Professional or Professional license. The Student Permit code transfers to your permanent license when you pass the LTO practical exam and receive your plastic license card. If you want a different vehicle class, you must complete additional PDC training before taking the final LTO practical exam. You cannot amend a Student Permit's code after it is issued. You must wait until license conversion and then apply for license amendment. Student Permits are valid for 3 years or until you pass the LTO practical exam, whichever comes first. The code remains unchanged during this period unless you retake PDC for a different vehicle type.

Foreign nationals converting their overseas driver's license to a Philippine license receive DL codes based on their foreign license vehicle categories and LTO medical exam results. The LTO cross-references your foreign license vehicle classes against Philippine DL codes. A US driver's license with Class D (passenger vehicles) converts to Philippine DL code B. A UK license with Category A (motorcycles) and Category B (cars) converts to Philippine DL codes A/A1 and B. A Japanese license with AT限定 (automatic transmission limited) converts to Philippine DL code B, noted as automatic-only. The LTO requires foreign license holders to submit an authenticated English translation of their license if it's not in English. You must also pass the LTO medical exam; if you need corrective lenses, confirm with the LTO medical clinic how this is noted on your license. It is not one of the nine DL codes. Foreign license conversion does not require PDC or practical exam if your foreign license is valid and not expired. The LTO issues a Philippine license with DL codes matching your foreign license vehicle categories. The conversion fee is ₱585 for Non-Professional and ₱785 for Professional. Processing takes 30 days. If your foreign license has vehicle categories that don't match a Philippine DL code exactly (example: European Category C+E for articulated trucks), confirm the correct code (BE or CE, depending on GVW) at the LTO office; conversion may require additional certification from the Philippine Embassy in your home country.

New applicants may only apply for non-professional DL codes A, A1, B, B1, and B2. Codes C, D, BE, and CE require a professional license upgrade. You cannot get these on a first-time application. The key difference: Professional license holders can drive for-hire vehicles and receive payment for driving services. Non-Professional license holders cannot accept payment for driving even if their DL code covers the vehicle type. A Non-Professional B license lets you drive a UV Express van for personal use but not as a public utility vehicle. A Professional D license lets you drive the same class of vehicle for hire and collect fares legally. To upgrade from Non-Professional to Professional, you must pass the LTO Professional Driver's Exam, submit an NBI clearance, pass a drug test, and complete additional PDC training for the commercial class you're adding. Confirm current fees at the LTO office or LTMS. Professional license holders must renew their medical certificate every 3 years and submit annual drug test clearance. Non-Professional license holders only need a medical exam at initial application and 5-year renewal. Professional DL codes C, D, BE, and CE (trucks, buses, and articulated vehicles) require additional Heavy Vehicle Training Certification from TESDA-accredited schools.

Car rental companies in the Philippines check your license's DL code before releasing a vehicle. If your license notes automatic-transmission-only, rental companies will not let you rent a manual transmission vehicle. If your license only carries DL code A or A1 (motorcycles), you cannot rent a car even with international driving experience. Major rental companies like Avis, Budget, and Hertz scan Philippine licenses and cross-check the DL code against their vehicle fleet. Renting a vehicle outside your DL code's coverage voids your rental insurance. If you crash a manual car while restricted to automatic, the rental company can charge you the full vehicle replacement cost plus damages. For ride-hailing services like Grab and Uber, drivers need a Professional license with a DL code appropriate to their vehicle. Grab Taxi drivers need a valid Taxi Operator's Permit in addition to their Professional code. Motorcycle taxi riders (Angkas, Joyride) need a Professional A/A1 license plus Motorcycle Taxi Training Certification. The LTO and LTFRB conduct random inspections of ride-hailing drivers. Operating with the wrong DL code results in an LTFRB fine, vehicle impoundment, and suspension from the platform; confirm the exact code and fee with LTFRB before applying. International driving permits (IDP) do not override Philippine DL codes. An IDP does not let you drive outside what your Philippine license covers.

The LTO tests your visual acuity during the medical examination and requires 20/40 minimum vision in at least one eye. If your vision is worse than 20/40 without correction, you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to meet the standard, and the LTO medical clinic retests you wearing them. If you fail even with correction, the LTO will deny your license application until your vision improves. Color blindness does not stop you from getting a standard license but may disqualify you from Professional licenses. Hearing impairment does not stop you from getting a license. The LTO allows deaf drivers to obtain licenses with standard codes. Physical disabilities that limit vehicle operation may require custom equipment such as hand controls, verified by medical certification from a specialist. Exactly how a corrective-lens or other medical condition is noted on your card is not part of the nine DL codes (A, A1, B, B1, B2, C, D, BE, CE). Check your LTMS account or confirm at the LTO office for how your specific condition is recorded. Results of the medical exam are valid for 5 years for Non-Professional license holders and 3 years for Professional license holders.