Number Coding Hours Philippines 2026 – Complete MMDA Schedule & City Guide

Seathiele Darké

October 19, 2026 6:53 am

Knowing the number coding schedule can save you from traffic delays, unexpected rerouting, and possible fines when driving around Metro Manila. The basic rule is simple, but the exact hours can change depending on the city, road, vehicle type, and local traffic ordinance.

This guide explains the 2026 MMDA number coding schedule in simple terms, including coding hours, plate-number days, window hours, city differences, expressway rules, exemptions, fines, and common questions drivers ask before traveling.

Weekly Number Coding Schedule by Plate Number

The standard number coding schedule is based on the last digit of your vehicle’s plate number.

For example, if your plate ends in 5, your regular coding day is Wednesday. You can also use the LTO Plate Tracker to check your vehicle and plate information online.

Remember that being coded does not mean you cannot drive anywhere for the entire day. The restriction normally applies only during specific coding hours, and some cities have different local rules.

Before traveling, it is also useful to check for any active MMDA LTO suspension, holiday declaration, weather-related suspension, or special traffic announcement.

Standard MMDA Number Coding Hours

The standard MMDA schedule has two main restricted periods during weekdays.

The main times to remember are:

• Morning: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Window hours: 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM
• Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

During the midday window, coded vehicles can generally travel on roads covered by the standard scheme.

There is also no general grace period. If your vehicle is coded, driving at 9:59 AM or 5:01 PM can still fall within the restricted period. NCAP cameras and traffic enforcement systems can record the exact time of a violation.

Coding is normally suspended on weekends and officially declared Philippine holidays. Other temporary suspensions may also happen because of emergencies, severe weather, or special government declarations.

What is UVVRP? The Official Name Behind Number Coding

UVVRP stands for Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program. It is the official name commonly associated with the MMDA number coding system.

The program was introduced on November 6, 1995, as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion. The original schedule was shorter than today’s schedule, with restrictions from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

As traffic volume increased, the restricted periods were extended. The modern schedule generally uses:

• 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
• 5:00 PM–8:00 PM

The system uses the last digit of a vehicle’s plate number to determine its assigned coding day.

The MMDA’s traffic-management authority is connected with Republic Act 7924, or the MMDA Charter. However, individual local government units can impose additional or stricter traffic rules within their areas.

Color coding vs number coding – clearing the confusion

Many Filipino drivers still use the term color coding when talking about number coding. In everyday use, the two terms generally refer to the same traffic restriction.

The term color coding became popular in the late 1990s. As vehicle plate formats changed and the restriction became more closely associated with the last plate digit, number coding became the more common term.

The official program name is UVVRP.

Do not confuse this traffic rule with the separate plate identification system involving different plate colors such as:

• White
• Green
• Red
• Blue

Plate colors are related to vehicle identification, while number coding determines when certain vehicles may be restricted from covered roads.

Number Coding Hours by City

One of the most important things to understand is that number coding is not identical everywhere in Metro Manila.

Most cities follow the standard 7:00 AM–10:00 AM and 5:00 PM–8:00 PM schedule. However, local ordinances can create different rules.

Makati is the most notable example because it uses continuous coding from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, without the usual midday window. See our Makati Coding Hours guide for the city-specific schedule.

This means drivers should not assume that the standard MMDA schedule applies to every road in every city.

Number Coding Hours by City (NCR)

Here is a quick comparison of major NCR areas:

For example, Quezon City has its own traffic enforcement arrangements, while Pasig is closely associated with the MMDA Head Office.

In Pasay, airport-related roads around NAIA can have different traffic treatment.

For Taguig and BGC, drivers should pay attention to the specific road. BGC itself may have different treatment from corridors such as C-5, East Service Road, and MLQ Avenue.

Cities with no number coding (often overlooked)

Some Metro Manila cities are commonly identified as areas where number coding is not currently enforced in the same way as the standard MMDA schedule.

These include:

• Las Piñas
• Parañaque
• Valenzuela
• Navotas

However, drivers should be careful when crossing city boundaries.

For example, a route from Parañaque to Pasay can move from one local traffic policy into another. Similarly, traveling from Valenzuela toward Caloocan can put you under a different city’s traffic rules.

The important point is that a coding-free city does not automatically make your entire route coding-free.

Cities outside Metro Manila with their own coding schemes

The MMDA’s authority is focused on Metro Manila, so its UVVRP schedule should not automatically be applied to cities outside NCR.

Some local governments have their own traffic restrictions.

For example:

• Baguio City has its own coding system with different days and hours.
• Cainta, Rizal can have local restrictions around areas such as Ortigas Extension and Cainta Junction.
• Antipolo, Rizal can have restrictions along routes such as Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway.
• Other LGUs may introduce temporary or permanent coding-style restrictions.

These local schemes may use different days, hours, roads, and exemptions. Always check the local rule before assuming that your Metro Manila coding day applies outside NCR.

Number Coding on Expressways – The Exception Most Drivers Miss

Major expressways are generally treated differently from Metro Manila surface roads under the standard UVVRP system.

Common expressways include:

This can make an expressway useful when planning a route on a coded day.

For example, Skyway Stage 3 can help drivers bypass parts of EDSA and other busy Metro Manila surface roads.

However, the exemption does not necessarily continue after leaving the tollway.

Once you exit an expressway and enter a city road where coding applies, the local rule can immediately become relevant. This is especially important around areas such as:

• Bicutan
• Pasay
• Magallanes
• Makati

Drivers using toll roads should also consider their Autosweep RFID and Easytrip RFID requirements.

Who is Exempt from Number Coding?

Number coding exemptions depend on the type and purpose of the vehicle, the city, and in some cases the required documentation.

Commonly exempt categories can include:

• Motorcycles in most NCR cities, except Makati
• Public utility vehicles (PUVs)
• Jeepneys
• Buses
• Taxis
• UV Express vehicles
• Tricycles
• TNVS vehicles
• Grab
• InDrive
• MOVE It
• JoyRide
• Lalamove vehicles with the required franchise
• Ambulances on duty
• Emergency vehicles
• Fire trucks on duty
• Marked government vehicles on official duty
• Garbage trucks
• Marked media vehicles during news coverage
• Fuel trucks carrying essential goods
• Food trucks carrying essential goods
• Diplomatic vehicles with diplomatic plates

Some exemptions require official documentation.

Electric vehicles (EVs) may qualify under Republic Act 11697, known as the EVIDA Law, subject to the applicable requirements and EVIDA sticker.

Full hybrid vehicles, including HEVs and PHEVs, can also qualify under the applicable EVIDA provisions.

Certain PWD vehicles may require an MMDA PWD Exemption Pass through the MMDA Traffic Adjudication Office.

Doctors and medical first responders may also qualify for an MMDA exemption pass when responding to medical emergencies.

Drivers should also know what is not automatically exempt:

• Mild hybrid vehicles (MHEVs)
• Senior citizens
• Provincial vehicles
• Government employees using personal vehicles
• Brand-new vehicles after an applicable plate or conduction-sticker number has been assigned

Having a provincial plate from Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, or another province does not automatically remove a vehicle from Metro Manila coding.

Number Coding Fines – What Happens If You Violate?

The penalty for a number coding violation can depend on the city and the applicable ordinance.

Makati uses an escalating fine structure for repeat offenses within the applicable 12-month period.

A violation can be identified by:

1. An MMDA traffic enforcer
2. An NCAP camera
3. Another authorized traffic-enforcement system

Drivers should check the payment instructions included with the violation notice. Depending on the violation, payment may involve the issuing LGU treasury office or applicable LTMS services.

Unpaid violations can remain on the relevant records and may create problems with vehicle or license transactions. For information about available penalty relief options, see LTO Penalty Waiver.

For existing violations, drivers can check available services through the LTMS Portal, the MMDA mayhulika violation checker, or SMS services such as 2600, where applicable. You can also use the LTO Violation Checker to review available vehicle violation information.

Related guides: Quezon City Coding Hours

FAQs

Is number coding the same as color coding?

Yes. In everyday use, number coding and color coding usually refer to the same MMDA traffic restriction, officially known as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP).

The separate plate color system should not be confused with the number coding schedule.

Do provincial vehicles follow Metro Manila coding rules?

Yes. A provincial registration does not automatically exempt a vehicle from Metro Manila coding.

A vehicle registered in Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga, or another province can still be subject to the MMDA UVVRP when it enters a covered area on its coded day.

Does number coding apply on expressways?

Major expressways such as NLEX, SLEX, Skyway, SCTEX, TPLEX, CALAX, CAVITEX, NAIA Expressway, NLEX Connector, C-5 South Link, CCLEX, STAR Tollway, and MCX are generally exempt from the standard UVVRP.

However, once you leave the expressway and enter a city road, the applicable local coding rule can resume.

Can I drive during window hours if my car is coded?

In most Metro Manila cities, yes. The normal window runs from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, Monday through Friday.

The major exception is Makati, where coding runs continuously from 7 AM to 7 PM.

What if the holiday falls on a Monday — is coding lifted?

If Monday is officially declared a national holiday or special non-working holiday, number coding is generally suspended for that day.

Therefore, plates ending in 1 and 2 would normally be coded on Monday but would not be restricted when the coding suspension applies.

Does coding apply during elections?

Number coding may be suspended during applicable elections, plebiscites, or referenda when the relevant authorities announce the suspension.

The purpose is to allow voters to travel to their voting precincts without the normal coding restriction.

What’s the difference between MMDA coding and EDSA Odd-Even?

They are separate traffic rules.

The MMDA UVVRP uses the last plate digit and assigned weekday. The EDSA Odd-Even Scheme is an additional restriction associated with EDSA and uses an odd/even plate concept based on the applicable date.

Drivers traveling on EDSA should therefore check whether both rules affect their vehicle.

Are motorcycles exempt from number coding?

Motorcycles are generally exempt in most Metro Manila cities, but Makati is an important exception.

Makati’s local rule includes motorcycles, so riders traveling through Makati during the 7 AM–7 PM restriction can be affected.

What is the fine for first-time number coding violation?

In many Metro Manila cities, the fine can be around ₱300–₱500.

Makati has a separate penalty structure of ₱1,000 for the first offense, ₱2,000 for the second, and ₱5,000 for the third within the applicable period.

Where can I check today’s coded plates and any active suspensions?

Check the latest MMDA and local traffic announcements before traveling. A daily coding checker can help identify the plate numbers scheduled for coding, while official suspension notices can confirm changes caused by holidays, weather, emergencies, or special declarations.

The Complete Coding Hours Hub

Number coding becomes easier to manage when you know four things: your plate’s coded day, the exact time, the city you’re driving through, and whether an exemption or suspension applies.

The standard MMDA schedule provides the foundation, but local rules in Makati, Taguig/BGC, Pasay, and other areas can change the way the restriction works.

For further information, drivers may also review:

• Makati Coding Hours — continuous 7 AM–7 PM coding and local exemptions.
• Coding Window Hours — the standard 10:01 AM–4:59 PM midday period.
• Number Coding in Manila — Manila-specific roads, schedule, and exemptions.
• What Number Is Coding Today? — daily plate-number information.
• Is Number Coding Suspended Today? — suspension information for holidays, weather, emergencies, and special declarations.
• Plate Number Color Coding — the separate plate identification system.
• LTO Fines and Penalties — traffic violation penalties and payment information.
• How to Check LTO Violations — available LTMS, SMS, and MMDA lookup methods.
• Doble Plaka Law (RA 12209) — motorcycle plate and registration-related rules.

Conclusion

The 2026 number coding system is easier to follow once you understand the basic weekday schedule and the two main daily restriction periods. For most covered Metro Manila roads, coding runs from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, while the 10:01 AM–4:59 PM window allows coded vehicles to travel in areas following the standard schedule.

The biggest thing to remember is that Metro Manila does not operate under one identical rule everywhere. Makati has continuous 7 AM–7 PM coding, motorcycles have different treatment depending on the city, expressways have different rules, and local suspensions can change the normal schedule. Checking the current city rule before a trip is the safest way to avoid an unnecessary coding violation.