Rush hour in Metro Manila is a daily challenge for drivers. To manage the traffic flow, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has implemented a number coding scheme. This system restricts vehicle access on certain days based on the last digits of their license plates, especially during peak hours.
For drivers in the know, this system is a familiar part of planning their commutes. However, for newcomers or those less acquainted, understanding the intricacies of number coding can be confusing.
This guide breaks down the Manila car coding scheme as it was relevant in 2022, providing you with the essential information to navigate Metro Manila’s roads with greater ease and confidence. Understanding these regulations is crucial for smooth journeys around the city and reaching your important destinations efficiently.
Decoding the Number Coding Schedule
The MMDA’s number coding scheme primarily applies to private vehicles. The last number of your license plate dictates the day your vehicle is restricted from major Metro Manila roads. Below is a straightforward table to help you understand the schedule:
| 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 |
To further assist your navigation around Metro Manila, you might find our guide to Circumferential Roads in Metro Manila (C1-C6) a helpful resource.
City-Specific Coding Hours and Window Hours
While the number coding scheme is generally in effect across Metro Manila from Monday to Friday, the MMDA provides some flexibility through “window hours” in most cities. These window hours allow vehicles covered by the coding scheme to be on the roads during specific periods. A notable exception is Makati City, which operates its own, stricter traffic coding regulations without window hours.
Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of coding hours and window hours per 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 |
Understanding Manila car coding in 2022 requires familiarity with city-specific schedules and window hours to effectively plan your daily commute.
Roads Covered by the Number Coding Scheme
The MMDA’s number coding scheme is implemented on the following major thoroughfares:
- Araneta Avenue
- Aurora Boulevard
- Bonifacio Avenue
- C5
- C6
- Del Pan
- EDSA
- 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 Number Coding
While the number coding system is widespread in Manila, certain roads and types of vehicles are exempted. It’s important to know these exemptions to avoid unnecessary restrictions.
Road Exemptions:
- Samson Road, Caloocan
- Sales Road
- MIA Road
- Ninoy Aquino Avenue
- Domestic Road
- BGC (Bonifacio Global City)
- Skyway
- NAIA Expressway
- Parts of Airport Road
- Parts of Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia)
- Other tollways and sections of toll roads within Metro Manila
Vehicle Exemptions:
- Electric and hybrid vehicles, promoting eco-friendly transport.
- Public utility vehicles (PUVs) including tricycles, ensuring public mobility.
- Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), ride-hailing services.
- Motorcycles, a common mode of transport in Manila.
- Essential service vehicles like garbage trucks and fuel trucks.
- Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks.
- Marked government and media vehicles on official duty.
- Vehicles transporting essential or perishable goods, maintaining supply chains.
Makati City, with its distinct coding scheme, recognizes a narrower set of exemptions:
- Emergency vehicles: ambulances, fire trucks, police 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 of medical practitioners during emergencies.
- Vehicles carrying Senior Citizen Blu Card holders as drivers or passengers, supporting senior mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions about Manila Car Coding in 2022
To clarify common queries, here are answers to frequently asked questions about the number coding scheme:
1. What are the window hours in number coding?
Outside of Makati City, window hours across Metro Manila are from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM and again from 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day. These hours provide a midday and overnight period where coded vehicles can travel freely.
2. Is number coding enforced on holidays and weekends in Metro Manila?
No, the MMDA suspends number coding in Metro Manila during holidays and weekends. The scheme is also often lifted during significant events such as calamities, public transport disruptions, and special occasions like the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
3. Were healthcare workers exempt from number coding in Manila in 2022?
Yes, as of May 2022, the MMDA exempted doctors’ vehicles from the number coding scheme. To avail of this exemption, doctors were required to present a valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. However, this exemption was specifically for doctors, with other healthcare workers still needing to comply with coding rules.
4. Are motorcycles subject to the number coding scheme?
Motorcycles are generally exempt from number coding in Metro Manila, except within Makati City where specific regulations may apply.
5. What is the penalty for violating number coding?
Penalties for number coding violations typically range from approximately ₱300 to ₱500, depending on the city where the violation occurs. It’s important to settle any fines within seven days to avoid increased charges and potential complications with driver’s license renewal.
Smart Driving in Manila: Mastering the Code
Navigating Metro Manila’s number coding system, as relevant in 2022, may initially seem complex. However, the key to stress-free commuting lies in understanding the rules and planning accordingly. Choosing a real estate location strategically, closer to your workplace and essential services, can significantly minimize the impact of the coding scheme on your daily life.
For those seeking convenient city living, Federal Land offers a range of ready-for-occupancy (RFO) condominiums across key Metro Manila cities like Pasay, Taguig, Manila, Makati, San Juan, and Quezon City. Imagine bypassing rush hour traffic and enjoying more relaxed mornings simply by living closer to where you work and play.
Explore more about convenient city living on the Federal Land website, a leading real estate developer in the Philippines.
