Navigating Metro Manila’s roads can be challenging, especially with the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), commonly known as the number coding scheme or Manila Car Coding. As a content creator for carcodescanner.store and an auto repair expert, I’m here to break down everything you need to know about Manila car coding in 2024. This guide will provide you with up-to-date information, ensuring you stay informed and avoid penalties while driving in Manila.
Understanding the Manila Car Coding Scheme
First, let’s clarify what the Manila car coding scheme is all about. Officially called the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), it’s an initiative by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Manila car coding aims to manage traffic congestion by regulating the use of both private and public vehicles during weekdays. The scheme restricts vehicle movement based on the last digit of their license plates, limiting access to roads on specific days.
Introduced in 1995 initially as an experiment for public utility vehicles (PUVs), Manila car coding was later expanded to include all vehicles, especially along EDSA, a major thoroughfare. It’s important to note that Manila car coding is not enforced on weekends and holidays. The program was temporarily suspended from March 13, 2020, to November 30, 2021, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is Manila Car Coding Currently in Effect?
Yes, Manila car coding is currently active in Metro Manila as of June 2024. The MMDA expanded the scheme effective August 15, 2022, to include both morning and evening peak hours. The current Manila car coding hours are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays and weekends.
During these Manila car coding hours, vehicles covered by the scheme are restricted from major roads. However, there are “window hours” where coded vehicles can travel, specifically between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM, and again from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. Understanding these times is crucial for navigating Manila car coding effectively.
Determining Your Manila Car Coding Days
Knowing your Manila car coding day is straightforward. It depends on the last digit of your vehicle’s license plate. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Mondays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are restricted.
- Tuesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4 are restricted.
- Wednesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6 are restricted.
- Thursdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8 are restricted.
- Fridays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0 are restricted.
Simply check the last number on your license plate to determine which day your vehicle is affected by Manila car coding.
Manila Car Coding Hours: Morning and Evening Restrictions
The Manila car coding scheme is enforced during peak traffic hours in Metro Manila. As of 2023, the expanded scheme is active during:
- Morning Rush Hour: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Afternoon to Evening Peak Hours: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
These Manila car coding hours apply on weekdays, Monday through Friday, in the National Capital Region (NCR). However, it’s important to note that some cities, like Makati City, implement a full-day coding scheme without window hours. Always verify specific city regulations if you’re driving in Metro Manila, especially if your vehicle is scheduled for coding on that day.
Window Hours in Manila Car Coding: What You Need to Know
“Window hours” are periods within the day when vehicles under the Manila car coding scheme are allowed to drive on restricted roads. In areas that observe window hours, you can drive your coded vehicle between:
- Mid-day Window: 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM
This Manila car coding window allows drivers some flexibility during the day. However, it’s crucial to remember that major roads like Radial Roads, Circumferential Roads, and National Roads may not be covered by these window hours. Always double-check the specific routes you plan to take to ensure compliance with Manila car coding rules. Makati City, notably, does not implement window hours, enforcing coding from 7 AM to 7 PM.
Roads Covered by the Manila Number Coding Scheme
According to the MMDA, the Manila car coding scheme applies to all major roads under their jurisdiction. These primary thoroughfares 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
If your route involves any of these roads during Manila car coding hours, ensure your vehicle is not restricted on that day, or travel during window hours where applicable.
Areas Exempt from Manila Car Coding
Certain areas and roads are not covered by the Manila car coding scheme. These exemptions primarily include tollways operated by private entities and some specific municipal roads. Here are areas where Manila car coding does not apply:
- 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)
Planning your route to utilize these exempt roads can help you navigate Metro Manila more freely, even on your Manila car coding day.
Vehicles Exempt from Manila Car Coding
Certain types of vehicles are exempt from the Manila car coding scheme. These exemptions are designed to ensure essential services and public transportation are not disrupted. Vehicles exempted from Manila car coding 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
- Motor vehicles carrying essential or perishable goods
- Doctors with valid and updated PRC Licenses
- Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Vehicles with LTO Certification and special EV/Hybrid plates.
However, exemptions can vary by city. For instance, in Makati City, exemptions are more limited, primarily applying to vehicles carrying senior citizen BluCard holders, emergency vehicles, vehicles on official functions, and electric vehicles. Always verify city-specific exemptions.
Electric Vehicles and Manila Car Coding Exemption
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles are indeed exempt from Manila car coding due to Republic Act No. 11697, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). This law promotes the use of EVs and hybrid vehicles by exempting them from traffic schemes like Manila car coding. To qualify for this exemption, your vehicle’s registration must explicitly state that it is a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Hybrid Vehicle Exemption: Understanding the Nuances
It’s important to note that not all “hybrid vehicles” are exempt from Manila car coding. Mild-hybrid vehicles, which use a small battery and electric motor to assist the internal combustion engine but cannot run on electricity alone, are generally not exempt.
Exemption from Manila car coding typically applies to vehicles recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE) as true hybrids or electric vehicles. Before purchasing a vehicle expecting it to be Manila car coding exempt, check the DOE’s list of recognized EVs and Hybrids to confirm eligibility. This ensures your hybrid vehicle qualifies for the exemption.
Penalties for Violating Manila Car Coding
Violating the Manila car coding scheme results in fines. If you are caught driving your coded vehicle during restricted hours on covered roads, you will face a standard fine ranging from P300 to P500, depending on the location of the violation. This fine must be paid within seven days to avoid additional penalties when renewing your driver’s license.
Paying Manila Car Coding Violation Fines
Fines for Manila car coding violations can be paid through various MMDA-approved channels. These include:
- Landbank
- SM Bills Payment
- Bayad Center
- Bayad Center partners like GCash, PayMaya, and GrabPay
In 2023, the MMDA also introduced handheld ticketing devices that allow for on-the-spot fine payments, making it more convenient to settle Manila car coding penalties.
City-Specific Manila Car Coding Rules
While Metro Manila generally follows the MMDA’s Manila car coding scheme, some cities have specific regulations. Here’s a breakdown of city-specific rules:
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa City generally does not implement Manila car coding, except on the following roads where MMDA rules apply:
- 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 may have been updated post-pandemic, so always check for the latest regulations.
Makati City
Makati City, Metro Manila’s central business district, enforces Manila car coding strictly from 7 AM to 7 PM, without window hours. The standard fine for violations is P300. Exemptions are limited to vehicles carrying senior citizen Blu Card holders, emergency vehicles, vehicles on official functions, and electric vehicles, as per Makati City ordinances.
Quezon City
Quezon City follows the MMDA’s Manila car coding scheme with hours from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, including window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.
Pasig City
Pasig City adheres to the MMDA’s Manila car coding hours of 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 Manila car 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 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 Manila car coding scheme, with coding from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, and window hours from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Mandaluyong City
Mandaluyong City also follows the MMDA’s Manila car coding scheme, with coding hours from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, and window hours from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Manila City
Manila City has varied Manila car coding implementations. Some areas follow the 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM scheme with window hours, while others implement Manila car coding without window hours. Check specific locations within Manila for their respective rules.
Valenzuela City
Valenzuela City implements Manila car coding from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, with window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, following the MMDA’s reimplementation of the scheme. Affected roads include:
- 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 from Manila car coding. However, national roads within Taguig, including East Service Road and Manuel L. Quezon Avenue, do implement the scheme.
San Juan City
San Juan City currently practices Manila car coding from 7 AM to 7 PM, with window hours from 10 AM to 3 PM. It is advisable to check if they have updated to the 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM scheme with 10 AM to 4 PM window hours.
Caloocan City
Caloocan City observes Manila car coding from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM. While window hours (10 AM to 4 PM) apply to most roads, Samson Road is exempted from window hours, meaning restrictions apply throughout the coding period on this road. Always verify current rules, as some regulations may have changed post-pandemic.
Manila Car Coding Beyond Metro Manila
Manila car coding principles have been extended to other cities outside Metro Manila facing traffic congestion, including Baguio, Cabanatuan, and Dagupan. These cities generally follow the same license plate-based restriction system.
Baguio City
Baguio City enforces Manila car coding in selected areas, particularly tourist spots like Session Road, Burnham Park, and Baguio City Market. The coding period in Baguio is from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays in the Central Business District, with a P500 fine for violations.
Cavite Province
Cavite province previously used the Unified Vehicular Reduction System (UVRS), with Manila car coding style restrictions from 6 AM to 7 PM on major roads. However, Provincial Ordinance 283-2020 has suspended the Manila car coding scheme in Cavite until further notice.
Future Updates to the Manila Coding Scheme
The Manila car coding scheme has evolved significantly since 1995, and further changes are possible. In 2022, the MMDA considered new UVVRP formats to further reduce traffic, including proposals for two-day vehicle bans per week.
One proposal was an odd-even scheme, banning odd-numbered plates on Mondays and Thursdays and even-numbered plates on Tuesdays and Fridays, with Wednesdays as a no-coding day. Another more complex option aimed to reduce traffic by 40% with a rotating schedule.
As of now, these proposals have not been implemented due to criticisms regarding the two-day ban and complexity. While there are no recent updates on major changes to Manila car coding, staying informed about potential future developments is advisable for all motorists in Manila.
Staying updated on Manila car coding rules is essential for smooth navigation and avoiding penalties in Metro Manila and beyond. Always check for the latest advisories from MMDA and local city governments to ensure compliance and plan your travels effectively.
