Navigating the bustling streets of Metro Manila can be challenging, especially with its unique traffic regulations. One of the most significant rules for motorists to understand is the Number Coding Scheme, officially known as the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP). If you’re planning to drive in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila, understanding car coding is crucial to avoid fines and ensure smooth travels. This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about Car Coding In The Philippines as of 2024.
Understanding the Number Coding Scheme in the Philippines
So, what exactly is the Number Coding Scheme? Implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), it’s a traffic management initiative designed to reduce traffic volume during weekdays. The scheme restricts vehicles from using certain roads based on the last digit of their license plates. This regulation applies to both private and public utility vehicles from Monday to Friday.
First introduced in 1995, initially as an experiment focusing on public utility vehicles (PUVs), the Number Coding Scheme was later expanded to include all vehicles, especially those traversing Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), a major Metro Manila thoroughfare. It’s important to note that car coding is not enforced during weekends and holidays. Interestingly, the UVVRP was temporarily suspended from March 13, 2020, to November 30, 2021, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is Number Coding Currently in Effect in Metro Manila?
Yes, the Number Coding scheme is currently in effect in Metro Manila. Starting August 15, 2022, the MMDA broadened the scheme to include both morning and evening peak hours. The current car coding hours are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and weekends.
During these “coding hours,” vehicles restricted by the scheme can only travel between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM, and then again from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. This is the operational scheme as of June 2024.
Decoding Your Car’s Coding Day in the Philippines
Determining your car’s coding day is straightforward. It depends on the last digit of your vehicle’s license plate number:
- Mondays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are restricted.
- Tuesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4 are restricted.
- Wednesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6 are restricted.
- Thursdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8 are restricted.
- Fridays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0 are restricted.
Simply check the last number on your license plate to know which day of the week your vehicle is affected by the car coding scheme.
Number Coding Hours and “Window Hours” Explained
In Metro Manila, the expanded number coding scheme is enforced during rush hours: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM on weekdays. However, the concept of “window hours” is important to understand.
Window Hours: These are periods within the coding day when coded vehicles are allowed to travel on covered roads. In most areas implementing the MMDA’s scheme, window hours are from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
Important Exception: Makati City. Makati City implements a full-day coding scheme from 7 AM to 7 PM without window hours. If your route includes Makati, be especially mindful of this stricter regulation. Before driving in Metro Manila, particularly if your car has a coding day, always verify if your planned routes and destinations have window hours.
Roads Covered by the Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila
The MMDA enforces the number coding scheme on all major roads under its jurisdiction. These primary thoroughfares include:
- EDSA
- C5
- Recto Avenue
- Quirino Avenue
- Araneta Avenue
- C6
- Roxas Boulevard
- Taft Avenue
- Shaw Boulevard
- Ortigas Avenue
- Magsaysay Boulevard
- Aurora Boulevard
- Quezon Avenue
- Bonifacio Avenue
- Rizal Avenue
- Del Pan
- Marcos Highway
Make sure to avoid these roads during coding hours on your vehicle’s restricted day to prevent violations.
Areas and Roads Exempt from Car Coding in Metro Manila
While number coding is extensive, some areas and roads are exempt. Notably, tollways operated by private entities are not covered. Additionally, certain roads within specific municipalities are also excluded. Here’s a list of areas and roads where the Number Coding Scheme does not apply:
- NAIA Expressway
- Skyway System
- South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
- Domestic Road
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- MIA Road
- Sales Road
- Parts of Airport Road
- Some parts of Buendia Avenue (Gil Puyat Avenue)
- Tollway extensions (e.g., NLEX Harbor Link)
Planning your route to utilize these exempt roads can be helpful on your coding day.
Vehicles Exempt from the Number Coding Scheme in the Philippines
Certain types of vehicles are also exempted from the Number Coding Scheme, facilitating essential services and public transportation. These include:
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) including buses, jeepneys, and even tricycles
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) such as ride-hailing services
- Motorcycles
- Garbage trucks, fuel trucks, and fire trucks
- Marked government vehicles and marked media vehicles
- Vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
- Doctors with valid and updated PRC licenses
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Vehicles with proper LTO certification and special EV/Hybrid vehicle plates.
Makati City Exceptions: It’s important to note that Makati City has fewer exemptions. In Makati, only vehicles carrying senior citizen BluCard holders (driver or passenger), emergency vehicles, vehicles on official functions, and electric vehicles are exempted.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Exemption Explained
Electric Vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles enjoy exemption from the UVVRP due to Republic Act No. 11697, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). This law promotes the use of EVs and hybrids to support a greener transportation system. To qualify for this exemption, the vehicle’s certificate of registration must clearly state that it is a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Mild Hybrids and Number Coding Exemption: What You Need to Know
It’s crucial to understand that not all “hybrid” vehicles are exempt. “Mild-hybrid” vehicles, which use a small battery and electric motor primarily for fuel efficiency and not for electric-only propulsion, are not typically exempted from the Number Coding Scheme.
Exemption is generally granted to vehicles recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE) as true hybrids or EVs capable of electric-only mode. Before purchasing a vehicle expecting coding exemption, it’s advisable to check the DOE’s list of recognized EVs and Hybrids to confirm its eligibility.
Penalties for Violating the Number Coding Scheme
Violating the Number Coding Scheme will result in a fine. The standard penalty ranges from P300 to P500, depending on the city where the violation occurs. This fine must be paid within seven days to avoid further penalties during driver’s license renewal.
How to Pay Number Coding Violation Fines
Fines for number coding violations can be paid through MMDA-approved channels such as:
- Landbank
- SM Bills Payment centers
- Bayad Center outlets and partners (GCash, PayMaya, GrabPay)
In 2023, the MMDA also introduced handheld ticketing devices that allow for on-the-spot fine payments for added convenience.
Number Coding Rules in Different Cities of Metro Manila
While the MMDA provides a general framework, specific rules can vary slightly across different cities within Metro Manila:
- Alabang, Muntinlupa City: Generally no coding, except MMDA scheme on Ayala-Alabang National Road and Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate. Fines vary for violations within these limited areas.
- Makati City: Strictest rules – Number coding from 7 AM to 7 PM, NO window hours. Limited exemptions (senior BluCard holders, emergency vehicles, official functions, EVs). Fine is P300.
- Quezon City: Follows MMDA scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window hours (10:01 AM to 4:59 PM).
- Pasig City: Follows MMDA scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window hours (10:01 AM to 4:59 PM).
- Pasay City: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM coding period with window period of 10 AM to 4 PM. Exemptions on Domestic Road, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Sales Road, parts of Airport Road, and parts of Buendia (Gil Puyat).
- Parañaque City: Follows MMDA standardized scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM coding period with window period of 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Mandaluyong City: Follows MMDA scheme since August 2022: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window period of 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Manila City: Varied implementation. Some areas follow 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window period of 10 AM to 4 PM, while others have no window hours. Check specific locations within Manila.
- Valenzuela City: Follows MMDA scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM coding period with window period of 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. Applies to specific roads (MacArthur Highway, Maysan – Paso De Blas – Bagbaguin Road, etc.)
- Taguig City: Partially exempt. Coding applies to national roads: East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon Avenue.
- San Juan City: Number coding from 7 AM to 7 PM with window hours from 10 AM to 3 PM.
- Caloocan City: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM coding period. Samson Road is exempted from window hours, meaning coding applies all day on Samson Road during coding days.
Always verify the specific rules for the city you are driving in, as they can be updated.
Number Coding Implementation Outside Metro Manila
The UVVRP is not limited to Metro Manila. Cities outside the capital region also implement car coding to manage traffic congestion. These include:
- Baguio City: Implements coding in selected areas, especially tourist spots like Session Road, Burnham Park, and the City Market, from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays. Central Business District also follows 7 AM to 7 PM coding. Fine is P500.
- Cabanatuan and Dagupan: These cities also adhere to the same daily license plate restriction as Metro Manila.
- Cavite Province: Previously had the Unified Vehicular Reduction System (UVRS), but it is suspended until further notice under Provincial Ordinance 283-2020.
If you are driving outside Metro Manila, especially in major cities, check local traffic regulations for number coding schemes.
Future Updates to the Number Coding Scheme
The Number Coding Scheme has evolved since 1995 and may continue to change. In 2022, the MMDA considered more stringent measures, including:
- Odd-Even Scheme: Banning odd-numbered plates on Mondays/Thursdays and even-numbered plates on Tuesdays/Fridays, with Wednesdays as no-coding days.
- Two-Day Ban Scheme: A more complex system restricting different plate number groups for two days a week, aiming for a 40% traffic reduction.
As of now, these more drastic schemes have not been implemented due to public criticism and complexity. However, it’s essential to stay informed about potential future updates to the car coding scheme in the Philippines, as the MMDA may introduce changes to further address traffic congestion. Stay tuned for announcements from the MMDA for the latest traffic rules and regulations.
