As a car expert and content creator for carcodescanner.store, I often delve into the intricacies of vehicle systems and regulations. Today, let’s tackle a topic crucial for drivers in the Philippines, especially Metro Manila and beyond: the Number Coding Scheme and its “window hours.” While “car coding” in our usual context refers to software customization, here, “coding” relates to license plate numbers and driving restrictions. Understanding these “coding windows”—the times you can drive—is essential to navigate Philippine roads smoothly and avoid penalties.
What is the Number Coding Scheme?
The Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), widely known as the Number Coding Scheme, is a traffic management initiative by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). This program aims to reduce traffic congestion by restricting vehicles based on the last digit of their license plates during weekdays.
Introduced in 1995 as an experiment initially targeting public utility vehicles (PUVs), the scheme expanded to include all vehicles on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), a major Metro Manila thoroughfare. Number coding is suspended on weekends and holidays. The system has been revised several times to arrive at the current version.
Is Number Coding Currently in Effect?
Yes, as of August 15, 2022, the MMDA reinstated the Number Coding scheme with morning and evening restricted hours. Coding is enforced from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Weekends and holidays are excluded.
The “window hours,” when coded vehicles are permitted on the roads, are between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM, and from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. These “Car Coding Windows” are crucial for drivers to remember.
What’s the Purpose of the Number Coding Scheme?
The primary goal of the UVVRP or Number Coding Scheme is to alleviate traffic congestion in the Philippines. By restricting the number of vehicles on the roads based on license plate endings, the MMDA hopes to create smoother traffic flow. This program is based on Section 1 of Memorandum Regulation No. 96-005. Since August 2022, the scheme operates during peak hours—7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM—with “window hours” in between.
What are the Number Coding Days?
It’s vital for every driver and car owner to know their vehicle’s plate number, especially the last digit, to avoid driving on restricted days. Here’s a breakdown of the number coding days:
- Mondays: Plates ending in 1 and 2
- Tuesdays: Plates ending in 3 and 4
- Wednesdays: Plates ending in 5 and 6
- Thursdays: Plates ending in 7 and 8
- Fridays: Plates ending in 9 and 0
What are the Number Coding Hours?
The standard Number Coding period was initially from 7 AM to 8 PM. However, in August 2022, the MMDA revised the hours to 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM to reflect current traffic patterns. It’s important to note that some areas, like Makati City, may still adhere to the older 7 AM to 7 PM coding scheme. Always check local regulations.
Understanding “Window Hours”
“Window hours” are the periods when vehicles normally restricted by the Number Coding scheme are allowed to drive without facing penalties. However, it’s important to understand that “window hours” do not apply to Radial Roads, Circumferential Roads, and National Roads. While these major arteries are restricted throughout coding hours, drivers can use secondary routes during window hours to navigate through cities. Always verify the specific window hour rules for your location.
Since August 2022, in most areas without special restrictions, window hours are precisely from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. This offers a substantial “car coding window” for motorists to travel.
Cities in Metro Manila Without Number Coding Window Hours
Currently, Makati City is the only city within Metro Manila that does not observe Number Coding window hours. In Makati, the coding scheme is continuous from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All other Metro Manila cities follow the standard MMDA scheme with window hours between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM.
Vehicles Exempt from Number Coding
Certain vehicles are exempted from the Number Coding scheme, recognizing their essential functions or vehicle type:
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), including 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 and Hybrid Vehicles with LTO certification
Keep in mind that this exemption list may not fully apply to Makati City, which has its own set of exemptions.
Penalties for Number Coding Violations
Violating the Number Coding scheme results in a standard fine of P300. This penalty must be settled within seven days to avoid further complications during driver’s license renewal. Prompt payment saves hassle and potential additional fines.
Number Coding Rules in Specific Areas
It’s crucial to understand that while the MMDA provides a general framework, specific cities and areas may have slight variations in their Number Coding implementation. Here’s a breakdown of rules in key locations:
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa City generally does not implement number coding, except on the following roads, which follow the MMDA’s coding scheme:
- Ayala-Alabang National Road
- Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate
Violations in these areas incur fines: P500 for the first offense, P750 for the second, and P1,000 for subsequent offenses. Note that these penalties and schemes were pre-pandemic and may have been updated.
Makati City
Makati City, Metro Manila’s Central Business District, operates without window hours. Number coding is in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The standard fine of P300 applies. However, Makati exempts vehicles carrying senior citizen Blu Card holders (as drivers or passengers) and vehicles on official functions or medical emergencies, as per Makati city ordinances.
Quezon City
Quezon City adheres to the MMDA’s coding scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
Pasig City
Pasig City, as part of Metro Manila, also follows the MMDA’s standard coding scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, with window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
Pasay City
Pasay City implements number coding from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, with window hours from 10 AM to 4 PM. However, coding does not apply to major thoroughfares like Domestic Road, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Sales Road, parts of Airport Road, and parts of Buendia (Gil Puyat).
Parañaque City
Parañaque City follows the standardized MMDA coding scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM coding period with a window period of 10 AM to 4 PM, consistent with the August 2022 reimplementation.
Mandaluyong City
Since August 2022, Mandaluyong City has adopted the MMDA’s coding scheme: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM with window hours from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Manila City
Manila City has varied rules. Some areas implement number coding without window hours, while others follow the 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM coding period with window hours from 10 AM to 4 PM. Drivers in Manila should be aware of specific area regulations.
Valenzuela City
Valenzuela City implements the Number Coding scheme from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, with window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, aligning with the MMDA’s August 2022 reimplementation. This applies to roads including:
- MacArthur Highway
- Maysan – Paso De Blas – Bagbaguin Road
- Karuhatan – Gen. T. De Leon Road
- Gov. I. Santiago Road (Malinta to Tatawid)
- Mindanao Avenue (Barangay Ugong)
- East and West NLEX Service Road
- T. Santiago Road
- Sapang Bakaw (Lawang Bato) – Punturin – Bignay Road
Taguig City
Taguig City is partially exempt. Coding is implemented on national roads within its boundaries, specifically East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon Avenue. Local roads may have different rules or exemptions.
San Juan City
San Juan City currently practices number coding from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with window hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s unclear if San Juan has fully adopted the 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM scheme with 10 AM to 4 PM window hours. Drivers should check for updates.
Caloocan City
Caloocan City generally follows the 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM coding period. However, Samson Road is not covered by window hours, meaning restricted vehicles cannot use Samson Road throughout the entire coding period. Rules may have changed since pre-pandemic times, so verification is advised.
Number Coding Outside Metro Manila
The UVVRP extends beyond Metro Manila to regulate traffic in other cities, including Baguio, Cavite, Cabanatuan, and Dagupan. These cities generally follow the same daily license plate restriction.
Baguio City
Baguio City, the “City of Pines,” restricts coding to specific areas, mainly tourist zones like Session Road, Burnham Park, and Baguio City Market. The coding period is 7 AM to 7 PM, similar to the older NCR scheme, focusing on the Central Business District due to high traffic from offices, businesses, and schools. Violators face a P500 fine.
Cavite City
Cavite City implements UVVRP on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on major roads:
- Aguinaldo Highway (Bacoor to Dasmarinas-Silang boundary)
- Governor’s Drive (Carmona to Trece Martires City – Tanza boundary)
- Molino-Salawag-Paliparan Road (Zapote, Bacoor to Paliparan, Dasmarinas)
- Molino Boulevard
- Daang Hari Road (Aguinaldo Highway, Imus to Molino, Bacoor)
Window hours are typically from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Violations incur a P300 fine.
Future Changes to Number Coding
Traffic management is constantly evolving. Pasig City, for example, discontinued its odd-even scheme, reverting to the standard number coding, indicating a dynamic approach to traffic solutions.
While “window hours” offer flexibility, there have been proposals to standardize a 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. no-window-hour scheme across Metro Manila. Currently, Radial, Circumferential, and National Roads already operate without window hours.
As traffic patterns normalize post-pandemic, further adjustments to the Number Coding scheme are likely. The MMDA’s August 2022 reversion to the 7 AM – 10 AM and 5 PM – 8 PM schedule is a recent example of this adaptability.
Metro Manila Number Coding During the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MMDA suspended the Number Coding scheme in Metro Manila. However, it was reinstated on August 15, 2022, as mentioned earlier.
Makati City maintained a modified scheme during the pandemic, similar to the MMDA format but with an exemption for vehicles with two or more occupants. Makati also had specific vehicle exemptions:
- Motorcycles
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Police patrol vehicles
- Military vehicles on official duty
- Diplomatic vehicles with diplomatic plates
- Government vehicles with government plates in official use
- Official media vehicles with markings
- Tow trucks accredited in Makati
- Vehicles used by medical practitioners in emergencies
- Vehicles with Senior Citizen Blu Card holders
Understanding the “car coding window” and the broader Number Coding scheme is crucial for all drivers in the Philippines. Staying updated on the latest regulations from the MMDA and local city authorities will help you navigate roads legally and efficiently. As car experts at carcodescanner.store, we encourage drivers to be informed and prepared for evolving traffic management policies.
