Driving in Metro Manila can be challenging, and understanding the number coding scheme is crucial for a smooth commute. 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 limiting the number of vehicles on the roads during weekdays. For drivers specifically navigating Makati City, it’s essential to be aware of the city’s distinct implementation of this scheme, often referred to as the “Makati Car Coding Time,” which differs from the general Metro Manila guidelines.
Decoding the Number Coding Scheme: The Basics
The number coding scheme restricts vehicle movement based on the last digit of their license plates. This system operates from Monday to Friday and was initially introduced in 1995, primarily for public utility vehicles. Over time, its coverage expanded to include all vehicles, especially on major thoroughfares like EDSA. It’s important to note that the scheme is not enforced during weekends and holidays. There was a temporary suspension during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 2020 to November 2021.
Current Number Coding Hours in Metro Manila
As of August 15, 2022, the MMDA expanded the number coding scheme to include both morning and evening rush hours. The current schedule is from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and weekends.
Vehicles affected by the coding scheme during these hours are allowed to drive between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM and from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. This is the prevailing scheme as of June 2024 for most of Metro Manila.
Identifying Your Car’s Coding Day
Determining your vehicle’s coding day is straightforward. Simply check the last digit of your license plate:
- 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
Makati City Car Coding Time: Full Day Implementation
While most of Metro Manila follows the rush hour coding scheme with “window hours,” Makati City is a notable exception. Makati City implements a full-day number coding scheme from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, without window hours. This means if your vehicle is coded on a particular day, it is restricted from Makati roads for the entire 12-hour duration.
This stricter implementation in Makati City is crucial for drivers to remember, especially those working or traveling within this central business district. Always verify the specific coding rules for your destination, as regulations can vary within Metro Manila.
Understanding “Window Hours” in Metro Manila (Except Makati)
“Window hours” refer to the period within the day when coded vehicles are allowed to travel in cities implementing this system. In areas with window hours, specifically excluding Makati City, coded vehicles can drive freely between 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
However, it’s important to note that window hours do not apply on Radial Roads, Circumferential Roads, and National Roads. Drivers should always confirm window hour schedules for their specific routes, keeping in mind Makati City’s full-day coding.
Roads Covered by the Number Coding Scheme
The MMDA enforces the number coding scheme on all major roads under its jurisdiction. These 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
Areas Exempt from Number Coding
Certain areas and roads are excluded from the number coding scheme. These are primarily tollways and some specific municipal roads:
- NAIA Expressway
- Skyway System
- South Luzon Expressway
- Domestic Road
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- MIA Road
- Sales Road
- Parts of Airport Road
- Some parts of Buendia
- Tollway extensions (e.g., NLEX Harbor Link)
Vehicle Exemptions: Who Gets a Pass?
Certain types of vehicles are exempt from the number coding scheme in Metro Manila, helping to maintain essential services and public transportation. These generally include:
- 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 PRC licenses
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Vehicles with LTO certification and special plates.
However, it’s critical to note that Makati City has a narrower list of exemptions. In Makati, exemptions are typically limited to:
- Vehicles carrying senior citizen BluCard holders
- Emergency vehicles
- Vehicles on official functions
- Electric vehicles
Therefore, even if your vehicle type is generally exempt in Metro Manila, verify Makati City’s specific exemptions if you are driving there.
Electric Vehicles and the Coding Exemption
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles are generally 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 hybrids to reduce emissions. To qualify for the exemption, the vehicle’s registration must clearly state it is a hybrid, and it should have the proper LTO certification and EV/Hybrid plates.
Mild Hybrids: Not Always Exempt
It’s important to understand that not all vehicles marketed as “hybrids” qualify for the coding exemption. “Mild-hybrid” vehicles, which use a small electric motor to assist the internal combustion engine but cannot run on electricity alone, are not typically exempt.
Exemption is usually granted only to vehicles recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE) as true EVs or hybrids capable of electric-only propulsion. Always check the DOE’s list of recognized EVs and Hybrids before purchasing a vehicle expecting a coding exemption.
Penalties for Violating the Number Coding Scheme
Violating the number coding scheme will result in a fine. The standard penalty ranges from P300 to P500, depending on the location of the violation. Fines must be paid within seven days to avoid additional penalties when renewing your driver’s license.
Paying Your Number Coding Violation Fine
Fines for number coding violations can be paid through various MMDA-approved channels, including:
- Landbank
- SM Bills Payment
- Bayad Center
- Bayad Center partners like GCash, PayMaya, and GrabPay
The MMDA has also introduced handheld ticketing devices that allow for on-the-spot fine payments in some cases.
City-Specific Rules: Beyond Makati
While Makati City’s full-day coding is a key point, other cities within Metro Manila also have specific rules or nuances to the general MMDA scheme:
- Alabang, Muntinlupa City: Generally no coding, except on Ayala-Alabang National Road and Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate (MMDA scheme applies). Fines differ from MMDA standards for violations in these areas.
- Quezon City, Pasig City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Mandaluyong City, Valenzuela City: Follow the MMDA’s 7 AM-10 AM and 5 PM-8 PM scheme with window hours (10:01 AM – 4:59 PM). Pasay City’s coding does not apply to certain thoroughfares.
- Manila City: Varies by location within the city. Some areas have full-day coding, others follow the MMDA rush hour scheme.
- San Juan City: Implements coding from 7 AM to 7 PM, with window hours from 10 AM to 3 PM (as of the last update).
- Caloocan City: Follows the 7 AM-10 AM and 5 PM-8 PM scheme, but Samson Road is excluded from window hours.
- Taguig City: Partially exempt; coding applies to national roads like East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon Avenue.
Always check for the most recent updates from each city’s local government unit (LGU) for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Number Coding Beyond Metro Manila
The number coding scheme is not limited to Metro Manila. Cities like Baguio, Cabanatuan, and Dagupan also implement the UVVRP.
- Baguio City: Coding in selected areas, especially tourist spots, from 7 AM to 7 PM, similar to Makati City’s hours. Primarily enforced in the Central Business District.
- Cavite Province: Previously had a coding scheme, but it is currently suspended under Provincial Ordinance 283-2020 until further notice.
Potential Future Updates to the Coding Scheme
The MMDA continuously studies ways to improve traffic flow. In 2022, they considered more restrictive options, including:
- Odd-Even Scheme: Odd-numbered plates restricted Mondays/Thursdays, even-numbered plates Tuesdays/Fridays, Wednesdays no coding.
- More Complex Scheme: Rotating two-day bans based on plate number groups, aiming for a 40% traffic reduction.
As of now, these more drastic changes have not been implemented due to public criticism and complexity concerns. However, it is essential to stay informed about potential future updates to the number coding scheme, as changes can be introduced to further manage traffic congestion in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Always check official MMDA announcements for the latest rules and regulations before driving.
