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What is the Initial Driver’s License Classification for Applicants of New License?

Asking what is the initial driver’s license classification for applicants of a new license could get you two (2) different answers, depending on who you ask. If it’s a license holder, then they’ll probably say that it’s the Student Driver’s Permit. But, if you ask the Land Transportation Office (LTO), then they’ll tell you that it’s the Non-Professional Driver’s License (NPDL), and for good reason.

You might think that it’s not important, but it is actually necessary for you to know which is the first or initial driver’s license classification you’ll get when you apply for one for several reasons. First, this question usually appears on various LTO exams. Second, and most importantly, depending on your license classification, you may need to secure different requirements and arrange for someone with a license to ride with you, in case you’re getting a Student Permit.

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What is the Initial Driver's License Classification for Applicants of New License

What is a Driver’s License Classification

As a government-issued identification document, an LTO driver’s license is a document that allows you to drive a vehicle in the Philippines. It tells the authorities that you are roadworthy and that you have the legal permission to drive a specific vehicle, as identified by the driver’s license code (DL code) stated in your license card. It comes in three different classifications: student permit, non-professional license, and professional license.

The driver’s license classification tells the type of license that a driver has. It also signifies whether the driver is a newbie or if he has been driving long enough to earn a living out if it. Depending on the classification, one can either drive only with a licensed driver aboard the car, drive only private vehicles, or drive for a living like when working as a public utility vehicle driver.

So, What is the Initial Driver’s License Classification for Applicants of New Licenses?

As mentioned above, if you ask this question to a license holder, you would most probably hear them say that it is the student permit. After all, the LTO has since changed the guidelines for license applications, mandating all drivers to start as a “student” with the issuance of a student permit regardless of skill level. As a “student,” you are expected to practice mastering the road under the guidance of a licensed driver, whether professional or non-professional. The licensed driver should accompany you when you drive with a student permit, otherwise, you can look forward to your first ever traffic violation.

In LTO exams, however, this question is answerable by the non-professional license. After all, a student permit, though considered essential, is only a temporary permit that allows you to legally take your initial spins behind the wheel. It’s not even considered as a valid ID, hence, it is not acceptable for use as such in many public or private institutions. On the other hand, a non-professional driver’s license lets you enjoy the joys of being a driver on the Philippine open road on your own.

Summary

In essence, while you are required to go through the “student phase” first when you apply for a driver’s license in the Philippines, the agency doesn’t consider you a licensed driver yet. You are simply one with a special permit to drive and practice on the open roads under the guidance of a licensed one. On the flip side, you are considered a full-fledged driver who can explore more roads and destinations on your own when you finally secure your non-professional driver’s license. Having said that, you can say that the initial driving classification you get when applying for a new license is the non-professional driver’s license.

Where Can you Contest an Alleged Traffic Violation?

Apprehended drivers, operators, and conductors who wish to contest their alleged traffic violation may do so in the following offices:

LTO
- Cashier (LTO Central Office)
- LTO Regional Offices – Operations Division
- LTO District Offices with LETAS functions
- LTO Extension Offices with LETAS functions

MMDA
- Traffic Adjudication Board (for complaints relative to the apprehension)
- Technical Committee on Complaints (TCC) (for complaints relative to the Traffic Enforcer’s apprehension manners)

Learning where and how to contest an alleged traffic violation is an important part of being a driver. After all, the thought of having to pay the hefty fines imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to traffic violators is no joke. Sure, you’re bound to commit one or two violations in your lifetime, but when you are slapped with what you perceive to be an “unjustly-issued” traffic ticket, you’d want to know the appropriate place to go crying for help or to raise hell.

If you want a short answer, then contesting an alleged traffic violation can be done in different places, depending upon the issuer and the type of complaints that you have. For LTO-issued traffic tickets, you may go to either the Cashier at the Central Office, the Operations Division of the LTO Regional Offices, or the LTO District or Extension Offices with Law Enforcement and Traffic Adjudication Service (LETAS) functions. For MMDA-issued traffic tickets, complaints can be made at either the Traffic Adjudication Board office (for complaints relative to the apprehension) or the Technical Committee on Complaints (TCC) (for complaints relative to the Traffic Enforcer’s apprehension manners). You wouldn’t want to go to these places for no good reason though, as it is really quite inconvenient to do so.

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Contesting an Alleged Traffic Violation

Contesting an alleged traffic violation is a normal process. After all, with the hefty fines and inconvenient penalties imposed towards violations on the road, filing complaints about being unjustly slapped with a traffic ticket is the lesser evil. It also offers the possibility of getting the traffic ticket rescinded, so there really is nothing to lose in doing so.

So, if you believe you have been unjustly issued a traffic ticket, then the LTO, as well as the MMDA, says it is well within your rights as a driver to contest the alleged violation through the appropriate channels and by following the appropriate motions, depending on the nature of the violation.

How to Contest an Alleged Traffic Violation

Both the LTO and the MMDA have laid the guidelines and requirements for contesting alleged traffic violations. Though the process can take place in different offices, the process remains pretty much the same.

This process includes the preparation of the documentary requirements including a written motion or contest letter and all the supporting evidence they could provide, including photos and videos. If the complaint is towards the attitude of the traffic enforcer, it should come with the officer’s name as well as the date and time of apprehension.

Note: The contest letter must be filed within five days of the apprehension being contested.

For more detailed information on the procedures for contesting an LTO traffic violation, you may check out this guide on How to Contest an Alleged Traffic Violation?

Where can you Contest an Alleged Traffic Violation

According to the LTO and the MMDA website, apprehended drivers, operators, and conductors who wish to contest their alleged violation may do so in the following offices:

LTO
- Cashier (LTO Central Office)
- LTO Regional Offices – Operations Division
- LTO District Offices with LETAS functions
- LTO Extension Offices with LETAS functions

MMDA
- Traffic Adjudication Board (for complaints relative to the apprehension)
- Technical Committee on Complaints (TCC) (for complaints relative to the Traffic Enforcer’s apprehension manners)

Summary

Contesting a traffic violation is pretty normal. If you believe the traffic ticket is unjustly issued or if the traffic enforcer has been especially rude while issuing the traffic ticket, then by all means, you can go to either the LTO or the MMDA to complain. Do note that while it is okay to complain about and contest a violation, the process will include an investigation of the case, so it’s best to be truthful rather than having to face worse consequences.

Can You Drive a Motorcycle if Your License Bears DL Code B?

The answer is No. The DL Code B on your license restricts driving to passenger cars only, excluding motorcycles. Officially operating any 2- or 3-wheeler, be it a motorcycle or a tricycle in the Philippines, requires a Code A or Code A1 on your license. Failing to meet this requirement may lead to your vehicle’s impoundment and penalties from law enforcement.

When it comes to riding a motorcycle in the Philippines, suffice to say that our country has laws that are rather lax. That being said, this isn’t to say that there aren’t any rules when riding a motorcycle in the Philippines. There’s one about the minimum prescribed dress code as well as one about protecting children’s safety while riding their bikes. There’s also a license code specific to riding this two-wheeled transport machine, but it sure isn’t Driver’s License Code B (DL Code B).

DL code B is one of the new alphanumeric category codes used by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). There are nine (9) of these DL codes replacing the old LTO restriction codes which have only five (5) categories. It is into the DL codes that we look for the specific type of vehicle the license bearer is allowed to drive, so it’s best to be careful and drive only vehicles you are licensed to drive. Understandably, driving anything other than vehicles you are allowed to, poses a more significant danger while out on the open roads, hence the rules, hefty LTO fines, penalties, and charges. More than that, however, getting caught driving vehicles you aren’t supposed to touch may result in losing the opportunity to renew into the new DL with a 10-year validity period.

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Can You Drive a Motorcycle if Your License Bears DL Code B

Can I Drive a Motorcycle with DL Code B

If you are looking for a short answer, then No, you can’t. Having DL Code B on your driving license allows you to drive passenger cars, but not motorcycles. That said, legally driving either a motorcycle or a tricycle in the Philippines, or any kind of 2- or 3-wheeler at all, will require you to have Code A or Code A1 on your license. Otherwise, you risk being apprehended and having your vehicle impounded.

So, what DL Code Do I Need to Drive a Motorcycle?

If you want to drive a motorcycle legally in the Philippines, then you’ll need a license that bears either DL Codes A or A1.

DL Code A

DL Code A is a driving license code specifically for motorcycles. The code covers both motorcycles with either manual, semi-automatic, and automatic transmission as well as most motorcycle models including Mio, Aerox, NMax, Smash, and Barako, among others.

DL Code A also covers different vehicle category codes including L1, L2, and L3. This means these license holders with DL Code A may drive two- and three-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of below 50kph (for L1 and L2) and beyond 50 kph (for L3).

DL Code A1

Additionally, there is also the Driving License Code A1, a category code covers all three-wheeled motor vehicles, including motorcycles with sidecars, transport tricycles, and e-tricycles such as Bajaj Re, Yamaha Tricity4, and tuk-tuk (or bokyo). This DL code also covers four-wheeled vehicles with limited unladen mass and maximum design speed.

Licensees with DL Code A1 may also be eligible to drive and operate motor vehicles with the Vehicle Category Code L4, L5, L6, and L7 or motorcycles with sidecar and with a maximum design speed under 50 kph, three-wheeled symmetrically arranged vehicles with a maximum design speed exceeding 50 kph, four-wheeled vehicles with unladen mass of not more than 350 kg and with a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 kph, and four-wheeled vehicles with unladen mass of not more than 550 kg and with a maximum design speed of not exceeding 45 kph, respectively.

So, what does DL Code B allow you to drive, if not a motorcycle?

According to the law, DL Code B allows one to drive motorized passenger vehicles with up to eight (8) seats and whose Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) does not exceed 3500 kg. This category actually allows license holders to drive and operate vehicles including hatchbacks, coupes, sedans, and SUVs.

Note that DL Code B is also different from DL Codes B1 and B2 which refers to category codes reserved for those who drive passenger vans or jeepneys and other light commercial vehicles including commercial four-wheeled vehicles used for cargo transportation respectively.

Where to Find the DL Codes

Unlike the old licenses where the old restriction code is found on the front side of the driver’s license card, the new DL codes can be found at the back of your driver’s license, next to the transmission and condition codes.

Summary

The DL Code B is not the DL code you need to drive a motorcycle of any type without facing legal repercussions later on. To do that, you’ll need DL Codes A or A1, depending on the type of motorcycle you’ve got. Observing the rules on what to drive can save you a lot of trouble, time, and money, especially in case you get caught for any type of traffic violation.