MDPPA shares guide to local motorcycle laws

To assist the constantly rising number of motorcycle riders in the country, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) has published a guide that aims to help Filipino riders understand our laws.

Here they are.

Land Transportation and Traffic Code

The Land Transportation and Traffic Code — also known as Republic Act No. 4136 — is a law that governs the registration and operations of motor vehicles as well as the licensing of owners, dealers, conductors, drivers, and other related matters. It covers the rules and regulations for driver’s licenses, general traffic rules, vehicle registration and operation, traffic enforcement and penalties, traffic safety education, and more.

Additionally, MDDPA pointed out, Land Transportation Office Memorandum Circular 2019-2176, in consonance with RA4136, as amended, stipulates a strict implementation of standardized Driver Education, which aims to enhance awareness of safety when using public roads and effective communication with other road users. This is the fundamental law every road user, both motorcycle riders and vehicle owners, should be aware of.

Any violation under the abovementioned Republic Act will lead to corresponding fines and penalties.

Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009

A fundamental law that has been hammered into our riders, the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 requires all motorcycle riders to wear approved protective helmets and imposes penalties for non-compliance to the standards.

The objective of the said law, which is also known as Republic Act No. 10054, is to prioritize the utmost safety of riders from any “ruinous and extremely injurious effects of fatal or life-threatening accidents and crashes.”

Failure to comply with the said legislation will result in a fine, which will cost riders P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third offense.

However, if a motorcycle rider continues to violate this law, the fourth and following offenses will lead to a P10,000 fine and confiscation of one’s driver’s license.

Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013

The Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, which also goes by the name Republic Act No. 10586, addresses driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and other similar substances.

Per MDPPA, the above law covers all drivers and riders operating both public and private vehicles.

Those breaking the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 will face different penalties depending on the situation.

As an example, violators who did not cause physical injuries or homicide are liable to a fine that ranges from P20,000 to P80,000 and possible imprisonment for up to three months. Should an incident involving driving under the influence lead to injuries, individuals at fault will be subjected to the applicable penalty mentioned in the Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code and pay a fine of P100,000 to P200,000.

Accidents involving a drunken driver that resulted in death will allow authorities to impose a P300,000 to P500,000 fine and a penalty stated in the Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code.

With non-professional riders or drivers, the first conviction will result in confiscation and a 12-month suspension of license, while the second conviction will lead to its cancellation. Meanwhile, the first conviction for professional riders or drivers will enable authorities to confiscate and permanently revoke the license.

Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015

Some households in the Philippines rely on motorcycles as their means of transportation, which means that children may sometimes have to become pillion riders.

On that note, the Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act of 2015 was enacted into law. The said regulation, according to MDPPA, strictly prohibits “any person to drive the vehicle with a child on board on public roads where there is a heavy volume of vehicles.” It also prohibits driving on roads with many fast-moving vehicles.

Any individual found driving with a child on a busy street without appropriate protection will be subjected to corresponding fines, such as P3,000 for the first offense, P5,000 for the second offense, and P10,000 for the third offense with a one-month license suspension.

Should a rider be found guilty of the same offense, the following violations will result in a P10,000 fine and immediate cancellation of the driver’s license.

Anti-Distracted Driving Act

Under the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, or Republic Act No. 10913, riders and drivers are prohibited from utilizing gadgets whenever on the road — whether it is to read, create, or send messages, accept or make calls, and more

Violators will be levied a penalty of P5,000 for the first offense and P10,000 for the second offense. For the third offense, the violator will need to face a P15,000 fine together with a three-month suspension of the driver’s license.

In the fourth and following offenses, the motorist will be penalized with a P20,000 fine and cancellation of driver’s license.

Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act

The Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act aims to prevent and penalize the use of motorcycles in the commission of crimes by requiring bigger, readable and color-coded number plates and identification marks.

Under Republic Act No. 11235, motorcycle owners are required to register their newly owned motorcycles to LTO within the first five days or report if ownership has been transferred. If the owner fails to comply, the individual may face imprisonment or pay a P20,000 to P50,000 fine, or both.

Once registered, LTO will release readable number plates that owners can attach to their motorcycles.

Should a rider be caught traveling without a license plate, the motorbike can be impounded and the owner can be subjected to a fine amounting from P50,000 to P100,000.

Photos from Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association and Juan Paulo Papa

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