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Riding 101: What do I have to wear to legally ride a motorcycle in the Philippines?

Here’s what you should and shouldn’t wear when riding your motorbike on public roads.

EJ Punsalang EJ Punsalang on Sep 26, 2021
What to wear while riding a motorcycle

When it comes to the law regarding what to wear when riding a motorcycle in the Philippines, suffice to say that our country is rather lax when it comes to the minimum required gear. While other countries require full riding gear including gloves, pants, and jackets, the Philippines has remained rather lenient when it comes to what exactly to wear on your bike. 

That being said, this isn’t to say that there aren’t any rules when it comes to the minimum prescribed dress code when riding a motorcycle in the Philippines. Indeed there have been many incidents of riders being apprehended for not wearing the minimum prescribed riding gear while riding their bikes. As such, let’s take a closer look at what you’re legally required to wear when riding your two-wheeled machine.

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Motorcycle-approved helmet

Motorcycle riding gear

First and foremost, according to Republic Act No. 10054, or simply referred to as the “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009,” expressly states that “All motorcycle riders, including drivers and back riders, shall at all times wear standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving, whether long or short drives, in any type of road and highway.” This means that, technically speaking, you’re required to wear a helmet regardless of where you’re going—even if it’s just to the convenience store down the street—every time you’re on your motorcycle. 

Of course, this also means that you must wear your helmet properly, and said helmet must be a motorcycle-approved helmet, bearing at the very least an ICC sticker. However, we strongly recommend getting a helmet that’s at least ECE safety rated. Wearing your helmet properly obviously ensures that it maximizes its protectiveness in the event of a crash. This means that it must be securely fastened and worn snugly on your head—not on your elbow, or on the tip of your head like a cap. 

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Closed shoes

Motorcycle riding gear

The next piece of clothing that’s mandated by law is a pair of closed shoes. This means that flip-flops, sandals, or other equivalent footwear are prohibited when riding a motorcycle—be it for the driver or the passenger. An administrative order issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) AHS-2008-15 expressly states that wearing flip-flops, slippers, sandals, or other equivalent footwear on a motorcycle is prohibited. 

Furthermore, strict penalties will be imposed on violators of this rule. A fine of P500 for the first offense, P700 for the second offense, and P1,000 plus revocation of driver’s license for the third offense. Understandably, wearing anything other than closed shoes poses significant danger in the event of a crash. It’s pretty obvious that bare human flesh and bone stands no chance against hundreds of pounds of steel and concrete. 

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Some things to consider

Motorcycle riding gear

While the law in our country doesn’t explicitly require the use of full motorcycle-approved riding gear, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re dressed properly whenever you ride your motorcycle. At MotoDeal.com.ph, we highly recommend you to ride fully geared up at all times—no matter where it is you’re going. We’ve written numerous articles geared towards helping you decide what riding gear and apparel is best suited for your riding style, lifestyle, and budget. 

Whenever you go out for a ride, we highly recommend that, apart from a helmet and closed shoes, you wear a riding-approved jacket, long pants, and gloves. That way, you’re prepared in the event of a crash, and the likelihood of you walking away from the accident increases tenfold. 

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