Navigating the bustling streets of Metro Manila can be challenging, especially during rush hour. To manage the relentless traffic congestion, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has implemented a traffic management solution known as the number coding scheme. For drivers new to the city, or even seasoned ones needing a refresher, understanding this system is crucial to avoid traffic violations and ensure smooth commutes around your neighborhood essentials. This guide will clarify the essentials of number coding in Manila, helping you navigate the roads with confidence. While some might mistakenly think of “Car Color Coding In Manila,” it’s important to clarify that the scheme is actually based on the numbers on your license plate, not the color of your vehicle.
Number Coding Scheme Schedule
The core of Manila’s number coding scheme revolves around the last digit of your vehicle’s license plate. This digit determines the specific day of the week when your vehicle is restricted from driving on major Metro Manila roads. The schedule is straightforward and easy to remember:
| License Plate Ending in | Coding Day |
|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Monday |
| 3 and 4 | Tuesday |
| 5 and 6 | Wednesday |
| 7 and 8 | Thursday |
| 9 and 0 | Friday |
This means if your license plate ends in 1 or 2, your car is “coded” on Mondays and should not be on the specified roads during coding hours. Understanding your coding day is the first step to mastering Manila’s traffic regulations.
Number of Coding Hours Across Metro Manila Cities
While the number coding scheme is generally applied across Metro Manila from Monday to Friday, the specific hours can vary slightly depending on the city. Most cities implement coding during peak hours to minimize traffic during the busiest times of the day. Notably, Makati City operates a distinct coding scheme with no window hours, setting it apart from the rest of Metro Manila. Window hours provide a period during the day when coded vehicles are allowed on the roads.
| City | Coding Hours | Window Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Caloocan | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Las Pinas | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Makati | 7 AM to 7 PM | None |
| Mandaluyong | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Malabon | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Manila | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Marikina | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM (only on Marilaque/Marcos Highway) | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Muntinlupa | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM (only on Alabang-Zapote Road) | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Navotas | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Paranaque | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Pasay | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Pasig | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Pateros | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Quezon City | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| San Juan | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Taguig | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Valenzuela | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
Always check the specific coding hours for the city you plan to drive through, especially if passing through Makati.
Major Roads Under the Number Coding Scheme
The MMDA’s number coding scheme is implemented on numerous major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to maximize its impact on traffic flow. These roads are vital arteries for commuters and understanding which roads are covered is essential for trip planning. The key roads where number coding is strictly enforced include:
- Araneta Avenue
- Aurora Boulevard
- Bonifacio Avenue
- C5
- C6
- Del Pan
- EDSA
- Magsaysay Boulevard
- Marcos Highway
- Ortigas Avenue
- Quezon Avenue
- Quirino Avenue
- Recto Avenue
- Rizal Avenue
- Roxas Boulevard
- Shaw Boulevard
- South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
- Taft Avenue
Familiarizing yourself with this list will help you avoid these roads during your coding days and hours, preventing potential traffic violation tickets.
Exemptions to Number Coding
While number coding is broadly applied, there are specific exemptions for certain roads and vehicle types within Metro Manila. These exemptions are designed to ensure essential services are not disrupted and to accommodate certain vehicle categories.
Road Exemptions:
- Samson Road, Caloocan
- Sales Road
- MIA Road
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- Domestic Road
- BGC (Bonifacio Global City)
- Skyway
- NAIA Expressway
- Parts of Airport Road
- Parts of Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia)
- Other tollways and sections of toll roads within Metro Manila
Vehicle Exemptions:
- Electric and hybrid vehicles, promoting eco-friendly transport.
- Public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as buses, jeepneys, and tricycles.
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) like ride-sharing cars.
- Motorcycles, offering a more agile mode of transport in traffic.
- Essential service vehicles like garbage trucks and fuel trucks.
- Emergency vehicles: ambulances and fire trucks.
- Officially marked government vehicles.
- Marked media vehicles for news coverage.
- Vehicles transporting essential or perishable goods.
Makati City, with its unique coding scheme, recognizes a narrower set of exemptions:
- Emergency vehicles: ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, military vehicles on duty.
- Vehicles with diplomatic license plates.
- Marked government vehicles.
- Marked media vehicles in official use.
- Makati City-accredited tow trucks.
- Vehicles of medical practitioners during emergencies.
- Vehicles driven by or carrying Senior Citizen Blu Card holders.
It is important to note these exemptions to properly understand if your vehicle or intended route is covered by the number coding scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions about Number Coding
1. What are the window hours in number coding?
Outside of Makati City, window hours in Metro Manila are from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM and then again from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the following day. During these hours, vehicles that would otherwise be coded can travel on the specified roads.
2. Is number coding enforced on holidays and weekends?
No, the MMDA typically suspends number coding in Metro Manila on weekends and declared holidays. Additionally, the scheme may be lifted during calamities, public transportation crises, or special events like the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
3. Are healthcare workers exempt from number coding in Metro Manila?
Currently, only doctors driving or riding in their cars are exempted from the number coding scheme, as of May 2022. To avail of this exemption, doctors must present their valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. Other healthcare professionals are still required to follow the standard number coding rules.
4. Are motorcycles covered by the number coding scheme?
Motorcycles are generally exempted from number coding in Metro Manila, with the exception of Makati City where they are included in the coding scheme.
5. What is the penalty for violating number coding?
Penalties for number coding violations usually range from ₱300 to ₱500, varying based on the location of the infraction. It is advisable to settle any fines within seven days to avoid increased charges and potential complications with driver’s license renewals.
Navigate Manila Traffic Smartly
Manila’s number coding scheme, while designed to ease traffic, requires understanding and careful planning. By grasping the schedule, hours, affected roads, and exemptions, you can navigate Metro Manila’s streets more effectively and avoid unnecessary delays or penalties. Choosing a strategic real estate location can further minimize your exposure to traffic and coding restrictions, making daily commutes more convenient. Consider exploring residential options in key areas offered by developers like Federal Land, which provide easy access to business districts and essential amenities across cities like Pasay, Taguig, Manila, Makati, San Juan, and Quezon City, allowing you to live smart and beat the code.
