LTO releases guidelines on LED lights for motorbikes

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has released a new memorandum clarifying the guidelines for the use of light-emitting diode (LED) or high-intensity discharge lights for motorcycles.

In a March 15 memorandum, the LTO said it will only allow one white or “selective yellow” fog lamp per motorcycle and the lamp “should only be used when there is thick fog, falling snow, heavy rain, or similar conditions.”

The LTO allowed the use of a maximum of two auxiliary headlamps provided they are white or selective yellow and mounted in a way that it would not be affected by shocks.

They cannot be used on well-lit streets or when meeting another vehicle on a public highway, the LTO said. Auxiliary headlamps should also have a maximum of six bulbs per lamp and not placed together to form a bar.

The LTO also allowed number plate lights in order to make the motorcycle’s license plate numbers visible at night.

A motorcycle’s headlights should be white or yellowish in color and capable of being directed downward while taillamps should only be red in color and have no blinker mode.

The memorandum comes after the LTO drew flak from motorcycle riders in January when it released a memorandum stating that it will intensify its “drive against unauthorized wang-wang (sirens), LED lights, and all other modifications.”

The LTO warned that vehicles with unauthorized accessories will be impounded, the accessories confiscated and the owner fined P5,000.