If you’re driving in Caloocan City, the number coding scheme is enforced from Monday to Friday at 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There is a window hour from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, so you can travel during this time, at midday, even if your vehicle is coded for the day. Like in the other cities in Metro Manila, the number coding restrictions in Caloocan City do not apply on weekends and holidays, and some vehicles are also still exempt, regardless of the day.
The number coding system in Caloocan City is part of the Expanded Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP)—the metro-wide traffic reduction program implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and enforced locally by the Public Safety and Traffic Management Department (PSTMD). Its goal is simple: reduce traffic congestion by limiting the number of private vehicles on the road during peak hours. If your plate number ends in a restricted digit for the day, you cannot drive during coding hours on major roads. If you still drive despite this, you may face fines, delays, and stress.
Caloocan City Number Coding
The number coding scheme enforced by the Caloocan City PSTMD and the MMDA is a city-wide traffic management counterpart of the metro-wide UVVRP. It was first introduced in the mid-1990s by the MMDA (then through earlier traffic authorities) as a response to worsening congestion, and has since evolved into today’s expanded standardized system with fixed time windows and broader exemptions. It’s the same system almost everywhere, with the authorities restricting vehicles based on the last digit of their license plate during specific hours. The rationale is practical: by limiting vehicle volume during rush hours, the UVVRP helps ease traffic flow, reduce travel time, and improve overall road efficiency in dense urban areas like Caloocan.
Usually, the actual enforcement is handled locally by offices like the city PSTMD, though MMDA regulations and local government ordinances have also given LGUs the authority to implement and adapt the coding scheme depending on road conditions.
Caloocan City Coding Hours
The Caloocan City coding hours follow the standard Metro Manila UVVRP schedule, making it easier for drivers who travel across cities.
- Morning: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Window Hours: 10:01 AM – 4:59 PM (allowed to travel)
- Days: Monday to Friday only
- No Coding: Weekends and holidays
Number Coding Schedule (By Plate Number)
Here’s your guide on the coding days, when you can’t drive your car on specific hours:
- Monday: 1, 2
- Tuesday: 3, 4
- Wednesday: 5, 6
- Thursday: 7, 8
- Friday: 9, 0
Note: If your plate ends in 1, you cannot drive during coding hours on Monday.
Roads Covered by Number Coding in Caloocan
Number coding is enforced on major roads and high-traffic corridors, including:
- EDSA (Monumento area)
- Rizal Avenue
- Samson Road
- Zabarte Road
- Quirino Highway
- Mindanao Avenue Extension
- C-3 Road
- 5th Avenue
These roads are often congested, especially during rush hours, so strict enforcement is expected.
Roads Where Coding Does Not Apply
Coding is generally not applied on:
- Inner barangay roads
- Residential streets
- Smaller local access roads
However, once you enter a main road or highway, coding rules immediately apply. Don’t take chances—many drivers get fined right after merging into major roads.
Common Traffic Hotspots in Caloocan City
Expect heavy traffic in these areas:
- Monumento Circle
- Zabarte Road & Quirino Highway junction
- Samson Road & Sangandaan
- Mindanao Avenue Extension
- Bagong Silang corridor
Note: If your car is coded for the day, it‘s best to avoid these zones entirely during the day lest you get stuck beyond the window hours.
Practical Tips for Drivers
Traffic in Caloocan City can get overwhelming, especially along major corridors connecting to Quezon City and Bulacan. So, though coding can be frustrating, it’s still a much better option. Just follow these tips and work around it smartly:
- Plan your trips during window hours
- Check your plate number before leaving
- Use alternate routes (inner roads if possible)
- Leave earlier or later to avoid coding hours
- Stay updated via official MMDA announcements