Navigating Metro Manila’s infamous rush hour traffic can feel like a daily challenge. To manage congestion, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implements a number coding scheme. This traffic management system restricts vehicle usage on certain days based on the last digit of their license plates, especially during peak hours.
For seasoned drivers in Manila, understanding car coding is second nature – a crucial part of daily route planning. However, for newcomers or occasional drivers, deciphering this system can be confusing. This guide aims to clarify car coding in Manila, ensuring you can confidently drive through the city streets and reach your destinations without unnecessary delays.
Manila’s Number Coding Schedule Explained
The MMDA’s number coding scheme primarily targets private vehicles. The restriction day for your vehicle depends on the last number of your license plate. Here’s a straightforward breakdown:
| License Plate Ends With | Coding Day |
|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Monday |
| 3 and 4 | Tuesday |
| 5 and 6 | Wednesday |
| 7 and 8 | Thursday |
| 9 and 0 | Friday |
Further Reading: Exploring Metro Manila’s Circumferential Roads (C1-C6): A Driver’s Handbook
City-Specific Coding Hours and Window Hours
The standard car coding hours across most of Metro Manila are from Monday to Friday. To provide some flexibility for motorists, “window hours” are in place, allowing vehicle usage during certain periods. However, it’s important to note that Makati City operates with a distinct car coding scheme without window hours.
Refer to the table below for a detailed city-by-city breakdown:
| 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 (Marilaque/Marcos Highway only) | 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM |
| Muntinlupa | 7 AM to 10 AM, 5 PM to 8 PM (Alabang-Zapote Road only) | 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 |
Key Roads Covered by Number Coding
The MMDA’s number coding scheme is enforced on these major thoroughfares:
- Araneta Avenue
- Aurora Boulevard
- Bonifacio Avenue
- C5 Road
- C6 Road
- Del Pan Street
- EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue)
- Magsaysay Boulevard
- Marcos Highway
- Ortigas Avenue
- Quezon Avenue
- Quirino Avenue
- Recto Avenue
- Rizal Avenue
- Roxas Boulevard
- Shaw Boulevard
- South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
- Taft Avenue
Exemptions to Manila Car Coding
While car coding is broadly applied across Manila, certain roads and vehicle types are exempted. Understanding these exemptions is crucial for efficient navigation.
Road Exemptions:
- Samson Road, Caloocan
- Sales Road
- MIA Road (Manila International Airport Road)
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- Domestic Road
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC) roads
- Skyway
- NAIA Expressway (Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway)
- Sections of Airport Road
- Sections of Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia)
- Tollways and toll road sections within Metro Manila
Vehicle Exemptions:
- Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) including buses and jeepneys, but excluding tricycles
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) – ride-hailing services
- Motorcycles
- Garbage trucks
- Fuel trucks
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Marked government vehicles
- Marked media vehicles
- Vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
Note: Makati City’s coding scheme has stricter exemption rules, recognizing only:
- Ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and military vehicles on official 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
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Coding in Manila
1. What are the window hours for 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 next day.
2. Is car coding enforced on holidays and weekends in Metro Manila?
No, the MMDA typically suspends number coding in Metro Manila on weekends and declared holidays. Suspensions may also occur during severe weather events, public transport disruptions, or special events like the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
3. Are healthcare workers exempt from car coding in Metro Manila?
Currently, the MMDA exempts vehicles driven by or transporting doctors. To avail of this exemption, doctors must present a valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. Other healthcare professionals are generally required to follow the coding scheme. This exemption policy can change, so it’s advisable to check for updates from MMDA.
4. Are motorcycles included in the number coding scheme?
Motorcycles are generally exempt from car coding in Metro Manila, except within Makati City where they are covered by the city’s specific coding rules.
5. What is the penalty for violating number coding rules?
Fines for number coding violations usually range from ₱300 to ₱500, depending on the city where the violation occurs. Prompt payment within seven days is recommended to avoid increased penalties or complications with driver’s license renewal.
Drive Smart and Navigate Manila’s Coding System
Manila’s car coding system, while designed to ease traffic, requires understanding and planning. Choosing a strategically located residence near your workplace and essential services can significantly reduce the impact of coding on your daily commute.
Consider exploring residential options in key Metro Manila cities like Pasay, Taguig, Manila, Makati, San Juan, and Quezon City. Living closer to your key destinations can transform rush hour from a stressful ordeal into a smoother, more manageable part of your day.
Learn more about convenient city living and available properties on the Federal Land website, a leading real estate developer in the Philippines.
