Riding a motorcycle has its risks, arguably higher than when you drive a four-wheeled vehicle. As such, it’s really vital for motorcycle riders to wear the right gear whenever they hit the road.
But wearing ‘the right gear’ doesn’t always mean you have to put on your racing suit every time you hop on your bike. If you’re just out for a quick stroll in the metro, you probably won’t be needing your heavy-duty riding gear. That doesn’t mean you can go riding around wearing slippers and your pambahay, though.
What should you wear, then? In this article, we’re going to discuss the motorcycle dress code in the Philippines as well as other gear- and safety-related details that riders should know.
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What is the motorcycle dress code in the Philippines?
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) back in May 15, 2008 issued Administrative Order No. AHS-2008-015, which discusses the ‘Rules and regulations for the use and operation of motorcycles on highways.’
Section XI states that there will be fines and penalties imposed against those who violate the rules and regulations, specifically for those who wear flip-flops, sandals, or slippers or are barefoot while operating a motorcycle or a scooter on a road or highway.
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What exactly should motorcycle riders be wearing?
The AO does not explicitly state this, but it is common knowledge among riders and authorities alike that anyone operating a motorcycle should be wearing closed shoes. Under the new single ticketing system being implemented in the metro, pillion riders or backriders are now also mandated to wear closed shoes.
Section VII of the AO also indicates that riders and backriders must wear standard helmets. Section XI also penalizes those who fail to wear the prescribed helmets—which we will dive deeper into shortly.
Now, Philippine laws do not require riders to wear other protective gear such as motorcycle jackets, gloves, or padded pants. Said laws don’t even prohibit riders from wearing shorts. However, we do advise all those who get on two wheels—especially those who use the expressway or go on extensively long rides—to gear up more than what legislation requires. Those may come at a cost, but the protection you get from those accessories will be priceless priceless.
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What kind of helmet is allowed in the Philippines?
Any legitimate motorcycle helmet—be it full-face, modular, or open-face—is allowed for use as long as it adheres to the safety standards set by the government. Under Republic Act No. 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, helmets must bear the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) to ensure that they adhere to correct safety standards.
There are also other safety ratings such as DOT, ECE, FIM, and Snell, but local legislation doesn’t really pay much attention to that. It would still be good for riders to know about them, especially for those who plan to get into more serious riding. If you want to learn more, you can check out this guide.
What are the fines and penalties for violating the motorcycle dress code?
As mentioned earlier, the new single ticketing system has brought about some changes to the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. Violating the motorcycle dress code, failing to wear the proper helmet, or wearing a substandard helmet will entail different penalties. We will be listing them down below.
Violation of dress code for motorcycles
- First offense – P500
- Second offense – P750
- Third and subsequent offenses – P1,000
Failure to wear motorcycle helmet
- First offense – P1,500
- Second offense – P3,000
- Third offense – P5,000
- Fourth and subsequent offenses – P10,000 with confiscation of driver’s license
Use of motorcycle helmet without ICC markings
- First offense – P3,000
- Second and subsequent offenses – P5,000
