Navigating rush hour in Metro Manila can be a daily challenge. To manage the heavy traffic, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implements a car coding scheme. This system, also known as number coding, uses the last digits of vehicle license plates to regulate which cars can access major roads during peak hours on specific days.
For drivers familiar with the system, car coding requires careful journey planning to avoid restricted hours. However, for those new to Metro Manila or unfamiliar with the rules, understanding car coding can be confusing. This guide explains the car coding system in Metro Manila for 2024, helping you confidently navigate the city streets and reach your destinations with greater ease.
Understanding the Car Coding Scheme Schedule
The MMDA’s car coding scheme applies to private vehicles based on the last digit of their license plate number. This digit determines the specific day of the week when a vehicle is restricted from driving on 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 |
Car Coding Hours Across Metro Manila Cities
The car coding scheme is generally enforced on most Metro Manila roads from Monday to Friday. To provide some flexibility for commuters in Metro Manila, window hours are designated in most cities, allowing vehicles to be on the road during certain periods. Makati City is a notable exception, as it operates its own traffic coding scheme 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 |
Roads Covered by the Car Coding Scheme
The MMDA’s car coding scheme is implemented 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
Exemptions to Car Coding
While car coding is widely applied in Metro Manila, certain roads and vehicle types are exempted. Understanding these exemptions is crucial for drivers to avoid unnecessary restrictions.
Roads Exempted
- Samson Road, Caloocan
- Sales Road
- MIA Road (MIA Avenue)
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- Domestic Road
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
- Skyway
- NAIA Expressway
- Parts of Airport Road
- Parts of Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia Avenue)
- Other tollways and sections of toll roads within Metro Manila
Vehicles Exempted
- Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), including buses, jeepneys, and taxis (but excluding tricycles)
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS)
- Motorcycles
- Garbage trucks and other waste management vehicles
- Fuel trucks and other fuel delivery vehicles
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Marked government vehicles
- Marked media vehicles
- Vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
Makati City, with its distinct car coding rules, recognizes a narrower 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 transporting Senior Citizen Blu Card holders
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Coding
1. What are window hours in car coding?
Window hours, applicable in most Metro Manila cities except Makati, are the periods when vehicles covered by the car coding scheme are allowed on the roads. These hours are from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM and 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 the car coding scheme in Metro Manila on weekends and declared holidays. Car coding may also be lifted during specific events such as 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 car coding exemptions to medical doctors who are driving or riding in a vehicle. To avail of this exemption, doctors must present a valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. Other healthcare professionals are generally required to follow the car coding scheme. It’s advisable to check for updated guidelines, as exemptions can change.
4. Are motorcycles included in the car coding scheme?
Motorcycles are generally exempt from the car coding scheme in Metro Manila, with the exception of Makati City, where motorcycles are subject to coding regulations.
5. What is the penalty for violating car coding rules?
Penalties for car coding violations usually range from ₱300 to ₱500, varying based on the city where the violation occurs. It is important to settle any fines within seven days to avoid potential increases and complications when renewing your driver’s license.
Navigate Metro Manila Smartly
Metro Manila’s car coding system is designed to alleviate traffic congestion. Understanding and adhering to these regulations is essential for smooth commutes. Choosing a residence in a strategic location, close to your workplace and essential services, can further minimize the impact of car coding on your daily life.
Federal Land offers prime residential options with ready-for-occupancy (RFO) condominiums in key Metro Manila cities like Pasay, Taguig, Manila, Makati, San Juan, and Quezon City. Living in a strategically located condominium can significantly reduce your reliance on driving during peak hours, offering a more relaxed and convenient urban lifestyle. Explore the Federal Land website to discover more about living conveniently in Metro Manila.
