Driving in Metro Manila can be challenging, and understanding the Number Coding Scheme is crucial for every motorist. Officially known as the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), this initiative by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) aims to ease traffic congestion by regulating vehicle movement based on license plate numbers. If you’re frequently driving in Makati City, it’s especially important to understand their specific car coding rules. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about car coding, with a special focus on Car Coding In Makati, ensuring you stay compliant and avoid penalties in 2024.
Understanding the Number Coding Scheme
The Number Coding Scheme was first introduced in 1995 as an experiment, initially targeting public utility vehicles (PUVs). Its effectiveness led to its expansion to include all vehicles, particularly along major thoroughfares like EDSA. The core principle is simple: vehicles are restricted from certain roads on weekdays based on the last digit of their license plates. Weekends and holidays are generally exempt from the scheme. The UVVRP was temporarily suspended during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 2020 to November 2021.
Is Number Coding Currently in Effect?
Yes, the Number Coding scheme is actively enforced in Metro Manila as of June 2024. The MMDA expanded the scheme on August 15, 2022, to include morning and evening peak hours. The current schedule restricts coded vehicles during these times:
- Morning: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Afternoon/Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Window Hours (for areas implementing them): 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM and 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day.
However, it’s important to note that Makati City operates differently. Unlike many other areas in Metro Manila, Makati City does not observe “window hours” and implements a stricter coding schedule. We’ll delve into the specifics of car coding in Makati shortly.
Decoding Your Car Coding Day
Identifying your car’s coding day is straightforward. Just check the last digit of your license plate:
- Monday: Plates ending in 1 and 2
- Tuesday: Plates ending in 3 and 4
- Wednesday: Plates ending in 5 and 6
- Thursday: Plates ending in 7 and 8
- Friday: Plates ending in 9 and 0
This schedule applies across Metro Manila, but the duration and specific rules can vary by city, especially when considering car coding in Makati.
Time Restrictions: When is Number Coding Enforced?
In most of Metro Manila, the expanded number coding scheme is in effect during rush hours:
- Morning Rush: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Afternoon/Evening Peak: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Outside these hours, and specifically during the “window hours” from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, coded vehicles are generally allowed on the roads – except in cities like Makati.
Car coding in Makati is more stringent. Makati City enforces a full-day coding scheme from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, without any window hours for coded vehicles. This means if your car is coded in Makati, you cannot drive it on Makati roads during these hours on your coding day.
Before driving in Metro Manila, and particularly in Makati, always verify if your route and destination are affected by coding and if window hours apply.
Window Hours Explained
“Window hours” provide a period during the day when coded vehicles can travel freely in cities that implement them. These hours are typically from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. The intention is to allow some flexibility for drivers while still reducing traffic during peak congestion times.
However, as previously mentioned, car coding in Makati does not include window hours. This is a crucial distinction. While you might be able to drive during window hours in other Metro Manila cities, this does not apply when you are within Makati City limits on your coding day.
Furthermore, even in areas with window hours, certain major roads like Radial Roads, Circumferential Roads, and National Roads may still be fully covered by the coding scheme without window hours. Always double-check the specific road rules.
Roads Covered by the Number Coding Scheme
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
When planning your route, especially within or through Makati City, remember that car coding in Makati applies to all roads within the city from 7 AM to 7 PM.
Exemptions from Number Coding
Certain vehicles are exempt from the Number Coding Scheme across Metro Manila to ensure essential services and public transportation are not disrupted. These generally include:
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) such as buses, jeepneys, and tricycles
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS)
- 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 plates.
However, exemptions for car coding in Makati are more limited. In Makati City, exemptions are primarily granted to:
- Vehicles carrying senior citizen BluCard holders (as drivers or passengers)
- Emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks, police cars)
- Vehicles on official government functions
- Electric vehicles
Note that in Makati City, TNVS and hybrid vehicles that might be exempt elsewhere in Metro Manila may not be automatically exempt. Always confirm the latest Makati City specific exemptions.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Exemption
Electric Vehicles (EVs) and certain Hybrid Vehicles are exempt from the UVVRP due to Republic Act No. 11697, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). This law promotes the use of EVs and hybrid vehicles. To qualify for exemption, the vehicle’s Certificate of Registration must clearly state that it is a hybrid or electric vehicle.
However, not all “hybrid” vehicles qualify. Mild-hybrid vehicles, which primarily use an internal combustion engine with a small electric assist, are generally not exempt. Exemption typically applies to full hybrids and plug-in hybrids capable of running on electric power alone. The Department of Energy (DOE) maintains a list of recognized EVs and Hybrids. It’s advisable to consult this list to verify if your vehicle qualifies for the exemption, especially if you are relying on this exemption for driving in Makati City. For car coding in Makati, it is particularly important to ensure your hybrid vehicle meets the specific exemption criteria recognized by Makati City authorities.
Penalties for Violating Number Coding
Violating the Number Coding Scheme will result in a fine. The standard fine typically ranges from P300 to P500, depending on the location of the violation. This fine must be paid within seven days to avoid further penalties during driver’s license renewal.
In Makati City, the standard fine for violating car coding is P300. Enforcement is active throughout Makati, and it is important to be aware of the 7 AM to 7 PM no-window-hours rule when driving there.
Payment Channels for Fines
Fines for number coding violations can be paid through MMDA-approved channels, including:
- Landbank
- SM Bills Payment
- Bayad Center
- Bayad Center partners like GCash, PayMaya, and GrabPay
The MMDA has also implemented handheld ticketing devices that allow for on-the-spot fine payments in some cases.
City-Specific Car Coding Rules: Focus on Makati City
While Metro Manila generally follows the MMDA’s coding scheme, individual cities may have specific implementations and exemptions. It is vital to understand these city-specific rules, particularly car coding in Makati.
Makati City:
- Coding Hours: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Window Hours: None
- Fine: P300
- Exemptions:
- Vehicles carrying senior citizen Blu Card holders (driver or passenger)
- Emergency vehicles
- Vehicles on official functions
- Electric vehicles
Key Takeaway for Makati City: Car coding in Makati is stricter than in many other parts of Metro Manila due to the absence of window hours and limited exemptions. If your vehicle is coded, avoid driving in Makati between 7 AM and 7 PM unless you qualify for a specific Makati City exemption.
Other Cities in Metro Manila (General Overview):
- Quezon City, Pasig City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Mandaluyong City, Valenzuela City, Caloocan City: Generally follow the MMDA’s coding scheme with hours from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, and window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. However, always verify for specific roads and any local ordinances.
- Manila City: Has varied implementation. Some areas in Manila follow the MMDA’s standard schedule with window hours, while others implement coding without window hours. Check specific locations within Manila before driving.
- San Juan City: Practices coding from 7 AM to 7 PM but does have window hours from 10 AM to 3 PM (as of the last update in the original article, it’s best to re-confirm current rules with San Juan City directly).
- Taguig City: Partially exempted. Coding applies only to national roads within Taguig, including East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon Avenue.
- Muntinlupa City (Alabang): Generally no city-wide coding, except on Ayala-Alabang National Road and Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate, which follow the MMDA scheme.
Important Note: City rules can change. Always check official city government websites or social media pages for the most up-to-date information on car coding in Makati and other Metro Manila areas.
Number Coding Outside Metro Manila
The Number Coding Scheme is not exclusive to Metro Manila. It has been extended to other cities experiencing traffic congestion, including:
- Baguio City: Enforces coding in selected areas, especially tourist spots like Session Road and Burnham Park, from 7 AM to 7 PM, similar to car coding in Makati in terms of duration, but specific roads are targeted.
- Cabanatuan and Dagupan: Adhere to the same daily license plate restriction as Metro Manila.
- Cavite Province: Previously had a coding scheme, but it is currently suspended until further notice (as of the last update provided in the original article).
Future Updates to the Coding Scheme
The MMDA continuously evaluates and considers updates to the Number Coding Scheme to further improve traffic flow. In 2022, they studied proposals for more restrictive schemes, including:
- Odd-Even Scheme: Banning odd-numbered plates on Mondays and Thursdays, and even-numbered plates on Tuesdays and Fridays, with Wednesdays as a no-coding day.
- More Complex Scheme: A more intricate daily rotation aiming for a 40% traffic reduction, with plate number groups changing restricted days each day of the week.
As of the latest information, these more drastic schemes have not been implemented due to public feedback and complexity concerns. However, it is crucial to stay informed about potential future changes to the Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila and especially car coding in Makati, as traffic management policies can evolve. Keep an eye on MMDA announcements and news updates for any revisions to the UVVRP.
