TRAFFIC

LAWS,RULES AND
REGULATIONS
{

CONCEPT:

.The standards of regulating movements on roads,

streets, and, highways are found in traffic laws, rules
and regulations
.In the Philippines, the mass of traffic laws, rules and
regulations have their source in laws, Presidential
decree (P.D.s), Executive Orders and (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
.In addition, traffic signs, pavement markings, and
other control devices are traffic law themselves.
Violation of such constitute misdemeanor or
infraction of law.
A. SOURCES.
The following are the basis for the traffic regulations
and prohibitions in the country.

1.Republic Acts (R.A.S)

a. R.A 4136. This is the basic law regulating land

transportation in the Philippines. It has repealed Act
No. 3992 (The Revised Motor Vehicle Law). Further,
as amended by R.A. Nos.5715, 6374, PD Nos. 382,
843, 896, 1057, 1934, 1950, Bp Blg. 43, 74, and 398

b. R.A. 6539. The act which known as the AntiCarnapping Act of 1972, the act preventing and
penalizing carnapping .

c. R,A 548. act imposing a tax on private 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.
d. 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.

e. R.A. 8750 .It provides for the attachment

of seat belts for all types of motor vehicles and
imposes penalty for the no compliance there of.

f. R.A. 7924 The act creating the Metro

politan Manila Development Authority ,
defining its powers and functions, providing
funds thereof and other purposes.

2. Presidential Decrees (P.D.s)

a. P.D No. 96. regulating the use of sirens, bells, horns

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, PNP,
BJMP, Hospitals and Fire departments and are specifically
intended for use in emergencies.

b. 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 .

c. P.D No.207 . Declaring as pert of the laws of the

Philippines the viena convention on road traffic, signs and
signals.

d.
P.D No. 612. Requiring compulsary insurance for
all types of motor vehicles against third party liability as
an additional pre-requisites for registration by the LTO.

e.
P.D 1686. Imposing a tax on every motor vehicle
equipped with air conditioner.

f.
P.D 1181. Providing for the abatement of air
pollution from motor vehicle and for other purposes.

g.
P.D 1605. Granting the metro politan manila
commission certain powers related to traffic
management and control in metropolitan manila
providing penalties, and for other purposes.

h. P.D 98. Regulating the issuance of license plates of all

motor vehicles
i.

P.D 109. Modifying P.D. 98.

j.

P.D. 1729. Authorizing the bureau of land

transportation to dispose of impounded motor vehicles
unclaimed by owners for a certain period of time.

k.

P.D. 1730. Declaring the syndicated, manufacture,

distribution, possession or use of fake official bureau of
land transportation forms ,documents, plates and stickers
as offenses involving economic sabotage.

3. Letters of Instruction (L.O.I.s)

a. 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 . This
LOIU abrogated city or municipal ordinances
governing the disposition of traffic on city and
municipal streets throughout the country.
b. 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.

c. 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 pair of early
warning device (EWD)for use when the vehicle is
disable on roads, streets and highways or other
emergencies compelling the vehicle to be on stop
position.

d. L.O.I No. 716 Every motor vehicle to equip at

least a pair of early warning devices.
e. L.O.I No.551 Directing the law enforcement
agencies to implement the pollution control program.

f.

g.

h.

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 number plates
an d registration certificates to surrender to BLT.
L.O.I. 1071 Owners and/or operators of motor
vehicles are authorized to pay then annual premiums
for then insurance of their motor annual premiums for
the insurance of their motor vehicles on quarterly
basis.

4. Department orders (D.O.s)

a.

b.

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.

5.Administrative and special orders

a.

b.

c.

d.

Administrative Order No. VIII, S-1968, LTC Requiring the

towing and impounding of stalled motor vehicles on public
highways and other impositions of corresponding fees
thereof.
Administrative Order No.1, S-1873, LTC. Prescribing
guidelines and procedures in the implementation of PD
No. 96
Administrative Order No.1, S-1975, LTC. Laying down
specific rules of action in the imposition of uniform fines
and penalties for violation of the provisions of R.A. 4136
Administrative Order No.101-IRM, LTC Enumerating and
identifying various city streets where parking is prohibited

6.Memorandum circulars
a.

b.

c.

LTC Memorandum to all patrol officers , deputies and

agents dtd 09 august 1975 . Directing the motor vehicles
whose loads are rice , cereals ,fertilizers and other prime
commodities are not to be apprehended and stopped 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.

d. M.C. 94-199. aide-memoir regarding retention and

authority by LTO to register motorized tricycles
under R.A. 4136, and guidelines to implement
devolution of LTFRBs franchising authority over
TCs per R.A. 7160 issued by DOTC.
e. M.C. 94-188 Issuance of drivers license to disabled
persons.
f. M.C. 92-146. Re-implementation of LOI 229 , as
amended by LOI 479 directing the installation of early
warning devices of motor vehicles

E. M.C. 94-188. Issuance of drivers license to disabled

persons.
F. M.C. 92-146. Re-implementation of LOI 229, as amended
by LOI 479 directing the installation of early warning devices
of motor vehicles.

G. M.C. 94-192. diesel smoke emission test for motor

vehicles.
H. 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.

I. M.C. 93-01. Enjoining all public utility operators to

use garage instead of public places or side streets in
parking their vehicles.
J. M.C. 94-002 Sanctions on operators arising from the
violation of their drivers.
K. M.C. 94-209. Clarificatory guidelines for the
registration/operation of new private vehicles
particularly in the use of conduction sticker.

7. Executive orders (E.O.s)

A.

B.

C.

E.O. 125. Reorganizing the DOTC, defining its

power 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 Adjudicatory Service-TAS), defining the
powers and functions thereof and for other purposes.
E.C. 202. Creating the Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

D. E.O. 248. Empowering the Land Transportation

Commission to control and supervise the operations of
motor vehicle driving schools.

8. Other Special Laws, Statutes, etc.

A. Batas Pambansa Blg 344 (B.P. 344) Act ti enhance
the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain
buildings, institutions, establishments and public
utilities to install facilities and other devices.

Sec. 1, Par. 2. In the case of the parking place of any

of the above institutions, buildings, or establishments,
or public utilities, suitable space for the use of disabled
persons.
Sec. 2. In case of public conveyance, devices such s the
prominent display of posters, stickers shall be used to
generate public awareness of the rights of the disabled
and posters understanding of their special needs.
Discriminating against disabled persons in the carriage
or transportation of passengers is hereby declared
unlawful.

B. Memorandum Unnumbered dated July 13, 1992.

Early Warning Device(EWD) not a requirement for
registration.

C. SC Bars Lewmen from removing Plates (187

SCRA 432).

IMPORTANT PROVISION OF
R.A 4136

1.

2.

Motor Vehicle. Shall mean any vehicle propelled by any power

other than muscular power using the public highways, but
excepting road rollers, trolly cars, street sweepers, sprinkles,
lawn mowers, bulldozers, graders, fork-lifts, amphibian trucks,
and cranes if not in used in public highways, vehicles which runs
only on rails or tracks, and tractors, trailers and traction engines
of all kinds used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
Passenger Automobiles. Shall 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, limousine,
cabriolet, and sedan.

3.

4.

5.

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.

6. Owner . The actual legal owner of a motor vehicle,

in whose in whose name such vehicle is duly registered
with LTO.
7. 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, styles, or kinds of motor vehicles,
dealing in motor vehicles keeping the same in stock or
selling same or handling with a view to trading same.

8.

9.

Garage. Any building in which two or more motor

vehicles, either with or without drivers, are kept
reader for hire to the public, but shall not include
street stands, public service stations, or other public
places designated by proper authority as parking
spaces for motor vehicles for hire while awaiting or
soliciting business.
Gross weight. The measured weight of a motor
vehicle plus the maximum allowable carrying
capacity in merchandise, freight and/or passengers,
as determined by the commissioner of the LTO.

10. 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.
11. Parking or parked. Shall mean that a motor vehicle is
parked or parking if it has been brought to a stop on shoulder
or proper edge of a highway, and remains in active in that
place or close thereto for an appreciable period of time.
12. Tourist. A foreigner who travels from place to place for
pleasure or culture.

B. Selected Provisions of R.A. 4136.

1. Exceeding Registry Capacity (overloading).
Passengers, freight or cargo load of a motor vehicle
should not be more than its registered carrying capacity.
2. 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 100kilos (sec. 32)
3. Riding on Running Board. It is strictly prohibited,
except for conductors collecting passengers fare

4. Riding on top of the motor vehicle. Passengers shall not be allowed to

ride on top of motor vehicles, but baggage of freight my 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 the vehicles ability(sec. 32, b)
5. Required Motor Vehicle Accessories. Every motor vehicles when
operated on a traffic way should have the following specified accessories:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.

Tires
Brake
Horns
Headlight
Tail light
Stop light
Wind shield
Use of red flag
Mufflers

6. Hitching on to a Vehicle. The following practices are

prohibited:
a.
b.
c.

Hanging on to or riding on the outside or rear end of any vehicle

Holding on to any moving vehicle whether on foot or otherwise.
Drivers allowing any person to hang on to or ride outside of or
the rear end of the vehicle(Sec. 51)

7. Driving while under the influence of liquor or other

Prohibited drugs. It is absolutely prohibited to operate an
motor vehicle the influences of liquor or other prohibited
drugs(Sec. 53)

8. Obstruction of traffic. Obstruction of traffic by

operating a motor vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct,
block, or impede the passage of another vehicle is
prohibited. This prohibition applies even when
discharging or loading passengers(Sec. 54)
9. Duties of driver in case of accident. In the event that
any accident should occur as a result of the operation of
the motor vehicle upon a highway, the driver shall observe
the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Stop immediately
Show his drivers 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(Sec. 55)

10. When could a driver leave the area of accident

without being held liable for HIT-AND-RUN?
a. His life is in imminent danger if being harmed by
other person/s by reason of the accident;
b. He surrenders to proper authority; and
c. He summons the assistance of a physician to aid the
victim

REGISTRATION OF
MOTOR VEHICLES

R.A. 4136, mandates that all motor vehicle 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
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 oprehensions
occur.

Classification of registered motor vehicles

1.
2.
3.
4.

Private(not for hire)Public Utility Vehicles(PUV a.k.a for hire)

Government
Diplomat

Plate Numbers- upon registration, motor vehicles are assigned with plat
numbers. The letter and numeral prefixes as well as the assigned colors are
based on the date and the place of registration and purpose of the registered
motor vehicles.
5.
Green with white background
6.
Black with yellow background
7.
Red(maroon) with white background
8.
4. blue with white background
9.
Commemorative plate

C. Schedule of registration- registration on motor

vehicles should be done annually which follows the
numerical suffixes of their plate numbers.
Last Digit of plate
number

Diddle Digit of

1-Jan

6-Jun

Plate Number
1
2
3

2-Feb

7-Jul

3-Mar

Weekly Deadline (Working days

if the month only)
1

2 3 4

9 10 11 12 13 14

8-Aug

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

4-Apr

9-Sep

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

5-May

0-Oct

29 39 31

Letter prefixes on Plate Numbers. The letter prefixes indicates:

1. Place of initial registration of the motor vehicles,
2. Year if initial registration and the possible year model of the
registered motor vehicle could be determined from the order of
the letter prefixes, e.g., the higher the letters the later the year of
the registration and year model of the motor vehicle.
Example: vehicle 1-PLT 255
vehicle 2-TNU 636
Between the above motor vehicle, Vehicle 1 was registered
earlier than Vehicle 2 and possibly, vehicle 2s model is later than
vehicle 1.
Special Plate Numbers of government Officials
1.
President of the Philippines
2.
Vice president of the Philippines
3.
Senate President