Navigating the daily rush hour traffic in Metro Manila can be challenging. To manage congestion, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implements a traffic management strategy known as the number coding scheme. This system restricts vehicle movement on major roads during peak hours based on the last digit of their license plates.
For seasoned drivers in the Philippines, understanding car coding is second nature. However, for newcomers or those less familiar, it can be a source of confusion. This guide aims to clarify the car coding scheme in Metro Manila for 2022, ensuring you can travel around the city with greater ease and confidence.
Understanding the Number Coding Schedule
The MMDA’s number coding scheme primarily applies to private vehicles. The schedule is determined by the last number on your vehicle’s license plate, assigning specific days when your car is restricted from using major Metro Manila roads.
| 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 |
It’s also useful to familiarize yourself with the Circumferential Roads in Metro Manila (C1-C6) to better plan your routes around the city.
City-Specific Coding Hours and “Window Hours”
The car coding scheme is generally enforced throughout Metro Manila from Monday to Friday. To provide some flexibility for motorists, many cities within Metro Manila implement “window hours.” These window hours are periods during the day when the number coding scheme is lifted, allowing coded vehicles to use the roads. A notable exception is Makati City, which operates its own traffic coding rules without window hours.
The table below outlines the specific coding hours and window hours for each city in Metro Manila:
| 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 |
Understanding these nuances can significantly improve your daily transportation in Metro Manila.
Major Roads Covered by the Number Coding Scheme
The MMDA’s number coding scheme is actively enforced on the following major thoroughfares in Metro Manila:
- Araneta Avenue
- Aurora Boulevard
- Bonifacio Avenue
- C5
- C6
- 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
Familiarizing yourself with this list will help you avoid these roads during coding hours if your vehicle is affected.
Exemptions from Car Coding
While the car coding scheme is widespread, certain roads and vehicle types are exempted. It is crucial to know these exemptions to avoid unnecessary restrictions.
Road Exemptions:
- Samson Road, Caloocan
- Sales Road
- MIA Road
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- Domestic Road
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
- Skyway
- NAIA Expressway
- Select sections of Airport Road
- Select sections of Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia)
- Other tollways and toll road sections within Metro Manila
Vehicle Exemptions:
- Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) including buses, jeepneys, and taxis (excluding tricycles)
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) – cars operating under ride-hailing apps
- Motorcycles
- Garbage trucks
- Fuel trucks
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Marked government vehicles
- Marked media vehicles
- Vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
Makati City, with its unique coding scheme, has a more limited list of exemptions:
- 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 used by medical professionals during emergencies
- Vehicles driven by or carrying Senior Citizen Blu Card holders
Frequently Asked Questions about Number Coding
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 again from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day.
2. Is car coding enforced on holidays and weekends?
No, the MMDA typically suspends the number coding scheme on weekends and declared public holidays. Suspensions may also occur during significant events like severe weather, public transportation disruptions, or special occasions like the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
3. Are healthcare workers exempt from car coding in Metro Manila?
As of May 2022, the MMDA provides exemptions for vehicles driven by or carrying medical doctors. To qualify, doctors must present a valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. Other healthcare professionals are generally still subject to the coding scheme. Always check for updated guidelines as these policies can change.
4. Are motorcycles subject to the number coding scheme?
Motorcycles are generally exempt from the number coding scheme in Metro Manila, with the exception of Makati City, where coding may apply to motorcycles on certain roads.
5. What is the penalty for violating number coding rules?
Penalties for number coding violations usually range from ₱300 to ₱500, depending on the city where the violation occurs. It’s important to settle any fines within seven days to avoid potential increases and complications when renewing your driver’s license.
Drive Smarter, Not Harder
Metro Manila’s car coding system, while seemingly complex, is designed to improve traffic flow. By understanding the rules, schedules, exemptions, and city-specific variations, you can effectively navigate the roads and minimize disruptions to your daily commute. Consider choosing a strategically located real estate location that minimizes your need to drive during peak hours.
For those seeking convenient city living, Federal Land’s ready-for-occupancy (RFO) condominiums in key Metro Manila cities like Pasay, Taguig, Manila, Makati, San Juan, and Quezon City offer an excellent solution. Imagine reducing your commute time and enjoying more leisure time – all thanks to a home situated near your workplace and essential amenities. Explore the Federal Land website to discover more about prime real estate options in the Philippines.
