Number Coding hours in Metro Manila 2025: All you need to know

Driving in Metro Manila is a task in itself, there is no chance of reaching your destination before fighting the sea of cars. Yes, that’s how bad the traffic situation is here and to regulate matters and make things a little easier for all, the number coding scheme was introduced.

Therefore, it is a general practice here that before hitting the road every car owner checks if his/her ride is coded or not. However, it is not surprising to get confused and lost in this regard. If you are someone who wants to learn about the latest number coding rules and want to know window hours or the coding scheme, this article is for you. Here we have tried to mention all the details and answer all the questions concerning the number coding scheme in Metro Manila.

So, without any delay, let’s begin understanding Number Coding in Metro Manila, but first the basics.

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What is the Number Coding scheme?

Implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to reduce the traffic volume in Metro Manila, the scheme is expected to bring down the influx of cars on the road by 20% during the peak afternoon and evening hours.

Did you know? The number coding scheme is also known as the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP).

In simple words, it is a traffic management strategy to control the number of cars on the road to ease congestion.

Number coding scheme 2025 - Understanding its working

The number coding scheme is based on the vehicle’s licensed plate number. Yes, the last digit of your license plate determines the day your vehicle is restricted from hitting the road. Check out the table below to find out the prohibited day for your car.

The last digit of the license plate	Prohibited to drive the car
1 and 2	Monday
3 and 4	Tuesday
5 and 6	Wednesday
7 and 8	Thursday
9 and 0	Friday

Note that the above driving prohibition based on the license plate number is effective from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Example - If your license plant number ends in 8, you wouldn’t be allowed to drive the car on Thursday along EDSA and other major Metro Manila roads where the law is enforced. What if you still choose to drive? Well, in that case, be ready to get apprehended, ticketed, and pay a penalty fee.

Number coding scheme - Timing

One of the most common and obvious questions around the subject is - when does the MMDA number coding scheme start and when it is lifted? Here we’ll be answering both of these questions.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the expanded number coding scheme is implemented during the rush hours in the morning and evening, from Monday to Friday.

Morning rush hours	7 am to 10 am
Evening rush hours	5 pm to 8 pm

What about the weekends and holidays, is the number coding still applicable? No, it is not, MMDA suspends the scheme on such days.

Number coding scheme - Area of implementation

As per MMDA, the number coding scheme applies to all the cities and towns within Metro Manila. But there’s an exception, Makati City has its traffic code which we’ll discuss later in the article.

What about the major roads like EDSA and SLEX, are they part of the coding schemes or not? All the major roads in the cities are under the jurisdiction of MMDA and therefore follow the number coding scheme. The table below mentions all the roads and cities where the number coding is implemented.

Major roads that follow the Number Coding scheme - EDSA SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) C5 C6 Araneta Avenue Recto Avenue Quirino Avenue Quezon Avenue Rizal Avenue Taft Avenue Ortigas Avenue Bonifacio Avenue Shaw Boulevard Roxas Boulevard Aurora Boulevard Magsaysay Boulevard Marcos Highway Del Pan Major cities that follow the Number Coding scheme - Manila Pasig Makati Taguig Pasay Quezon City Caloocan  Muntinlipa Mandaluyong Marikina

But here’s a catch. Every city mentioned above has its own set of traffic rules and several coding rules on secondary roads. Therefore, a driver needs to check with the local government about the city’s traffic laws and number coding scheme.

City	Number coding & traffic rules
Manila	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm Some roads have no window hours
Makati	Number coding hours: 7 am to 7 pm Window Hours: No window hours for coded vehicle  A fine of PHP 300 for violators  Exemptions from the number coding scheme: Vehicles with driver/passengers with senior citizen Blu Card holders or involved in official duties or medical emergencies.
Pasig	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Pasay	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm Exemption: A few roads are exempted from the number coding scheme including Sales Road, Domestic Road, MIA Road, Ninoy Aquino Avenue along with some areas of Gil Puyat and Airport Road.
Quezon City	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Muntinlupa	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window Hours: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm Number coding here applies to - Ayala-Alabang National Road and Alabang-Zapote Road corner Buencamino and North Gate Number coding here does not apply to - Commerce Avenue
Marikina	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hours or coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm Number coding here applies to - A portion of Marcos Highway near Sta. Lucia East Mall and Ayala Malls Feliz
Caloocan	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window Hours: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm Samson Road has no window hours
Mandaluyong	It follows MMDA’s number coding scheme Window Hours: 10:01 am to 4:49 pm
Las Pinas	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Paranaque	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
San Juan	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Taguig	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Valenzuela	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Malabon	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Navotas	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm
Pateros	Number coding hours: 7 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 8 pm  Window hour for coded vehicle: 10:01 am to 4:59 pm

 

Number coding scheme violation - Fine charged

Like every traffic rule and road symbol/sign violation attracts a fine/penalty, the same is the case with a scenario where you violate the number coding scheme rules.

• The standard fine ranges from PHP 300 to PHP 500, depending on where the violation is committed.
• The penalty needs to be paid within 7 days of being charged; failure to do so will result in additional fines.

Number coding scheme exemptions - Special cases, vehicles & places

What do exemptions to the number coding scheme mean? Like any other law, this one too comes with its own set of exemptions where the coding scheme does not apply - to certain situations, places, and vehicles. Let us discuss each one by one.

Vehicle exempted from number coding system (not in Makati City) -

• Public Utility Vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Transport Network Vehicle Services
• Fire truck, garbage truck, and fuel truck
• Motor vehicles carrying perishable goods or essential commodities
• Government and media vehicles (must be marked)
• Electric and hybrid vehicle with LTO certification
• Doctors with valid and updated PRC licenses

Vehicle exempted from number coding system in Makati City -

• Police patrol and military vehicles on official duty
• Ambulance and fire truck
• Government vehicle with government plates
• Diplomatic vehicles with diplomatic plates
• Tow truck duly accredited by the City of Makati
• Official media vehicles with marking expressly
• Vehicles with drivers or passengers with Senior Citizen Blu Card holders
• Vehicles used during emergencies by medical practitioners

Places exempted from number coding system -

• Muntinlupa, expect Alabang - Zapote Road
• Marikina, expect Marilaque/Marcos Highway
• The NAIA Expressway
• Taguig, expect C-5, Manuel L.Quezon Avenue, East Service Road
• Skyway
• Domestic Road
• South Luzon Expressway
• MIA Road
• Ninoy Aquino Avenue
• Sales Road
• Some parts of Buendia
• Parts of Airport Road
• Tollways and sections of these toll roads that pass through Metro Manila

Bottom line

The number coding system of Metro Manila is quite confusing and it comes as no surprise that many drivers have a bucket full of questions in mind in this regard. The above-mentioned guide will help you understand the system better so that you can step out of the house and take your car for a spin without any stress. Also, it’ll prevent you from making a violation and getting charged with penalties by authorities.

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