Rush hour traffic in Metro Manila is a daily challenge. To manage this, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implements a number coding scheme, also known as Car Coding Manila. This system restricts vehicle access to major roads during peak hours based on the last digit of their license plates.
For seasoned drivers in Manila, understanding car coding is second nature, allowing them to plan routes and schedules effectively. However, for newcomers or occasional drivers, navigating car coding Manila can be confusing.
This guide will clarify the car coding scheme in Manila, helping you drive through the city streets with more confidence and ease. Whether you’re commuting to work, visiting family, or exploring the city, understanding car coding Manila is essential.
Understanding the Car Coding Scheme in Manila
The MMDA’s car coding scheme primarily applies to private vehicles. The schedule is determined by the last digit of your vehicle’s license plate, assigning specific days when it cannot be used on certain Metro Manila roads. This car coding Manila schedule helps reduce the volume of cars during peak hours.
| 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 |
Manila Car Coding Hours and City-Specific Rules
Car coding Manila is generally enforced on weekdays across most Metro Manila roads. To provide some flexibility, many cities implement “window hours” within the coding period, allowing vehicles to be on the road during these times. However, Makati City operates differently with its own car coding Manila rules and no window hours.
The table below outlines the specific car coding Manila hours and window hour policies for each city:
| 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 |
Roads Covered by the Number Coding Scheme in Manila
The MMDA’s car coding Manila scheme is implemented on the following major thoroughfares:
- 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
Exemptions from Car Coding Manila
While car coding Manila is widely implemented, certain roads and vehicle types are exempt. Understanding these exemptions is crucial for navigating car coding Manila effectively.
Roads Exempted
- Samson Road, Caloocan
- Sales Road
- MIA Road (Manila International Airport Road)
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- Domestic Road
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
- Skyway
- NAIA Expressway (Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway)
- Parts of Airport Road
- Parts of Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia Avenue)
- Other tollways and sections of toll roads 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)
- Motorcycles
- Garbage trucks
- Fuel trucks
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Marked government vehicles
- Marked media vehicles
- Vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
Makati City Exemptions
Due to its distinct car coding Manila regulations, Makati City recognizes a more limited set of exemptions:
- Ambulances, fire trucks, police patrol 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 practitioners during emergencies
- Vehicles driven by or carrying Senior Citizen Blu Card holders
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Coding in Manila
To further clarify car coding Manila, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
1. What are the window hours in car coding Manila?
Outside of Makati City, window hours for car coding Manila are from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM and again from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. During these hours, vehicles normally affected by car coding Manila can travel on covered roads.
2. Is car coding Manila enforced on holidays and weekends?
No, the MMDA typically suspends car coding Manila on holidays and weekends. Car coding Manila is also often lifted during severe weather events, public transportation disruptions, and special events like the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
3. Are healthcare workers exempt from car coding Manila?
Currently, the MMDA exempts only vehicles driven by or transporting medical doctors from car coding Manila. To qualify for this exemption, doctors must present a valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. Other healthcare professionals are still required to comply with car coding Manila.
4. Are motorcycles exempt from car coding Manila?
Yes, motorcycles are generally exempt from car coding Manila, except within Makati City where specific restrictions may apply to motorcycles as well depending on local ordinances.
5. What is the penalty for violating car coding Manila?
Penalties for car coding Manila violations typically range from ₱300 to ₱500, depending on the city where the violation occurs. It’s important to pay the fine within seven days to avoid increased charges or complications with driver’s license renewal.
Live Smart, Navigate Car Coding Manila
Car coding Manila might initially appear complex, but understanding its rules and exemptions can significantly simplify your commutes. Choosing a residence strategically located near your workplace and essential services can also minimize the impact of car coding Manila on your daily life.
For more information on vehicle regulations and tips for navigating city driving, visit carcodescanner.store.
