With the threat of coding violation fees looming over unsuspecting drivers, driving around Metro Manila can indeed be quite an arduous task. However, without the number coding scheme in effect, it would be even more impossible to go out and not get stuck in traffic in Metro Manila, especially during rush hour periods. In fact, some may even think it’s best not to get your own car, but one cannot discount the comforts of driving a private car. In any case, with the number coding scheme, otherwise known as the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), currently being implemented in Metro Manila, it’s a little better so long as you pay attention to where you can and cannot go.  

The number coding scheme in Metro Manila is one of the government’s latest attempts to manage the increasing congestion on the roads in the region. It was launched a while back, in 1995, starting out as the odd-even scheme, before evolving into the color coding scheme known to the older generations. Now, it’s known as number coding—a road space rationing system, implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to reduce the traffic volume in Metro Manila. 

What is Coding Violation

Coding violation refers to the violation of the rules and regulations of the number coding scheme or UVVRP. It is one of the many types of traffic rule transgressions, and is one of the most violated ones, too. In fact, Baguio City had recorded about 15,679 coding apprehensions in the past seven months alone. If it’s this much in the Summer Capital alone, imagine how many more coding violations have been recorded in other cities, particularly in Metro Manila? And why does it seem like people are not afraid of violating the coding system?

One of the first reasons you might have thought of is that maybe the fines and penalties attributed to coding violations aren’t scary or hefty enough. Maybe it really isn’t, so let’s take a look at what it means to violate the number coding rules and regulations. 

Coding Violations Fees and Penalties

Generally, any person found to be violating the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the Number Coding Scheme shall be meted with the following:

Payment of coding violation fee

The standard fine ranges between ₱300.00 to ₱500.00, according to the single ticketing system of the Metro Manila Traffic Code and depending upon where the violation was committed. This penalty must be paid within seven days. Failure to do so within the given period will result in additional fines. It could be especially inconvenient when renewing your driver’s license. 

Confiscation of license and issuance of traffic ticket

In some places, the violator’s driver’s license used to be confiscated while the enforcers issued a ticket, which can be used to claim the license after the payment of the fine.

Other Fees and Penalties

In other places with number coding ordinances, there are different fines and penalties imposed on coding violations. These are as follows:

• In Alabang, in case you violate the rule, you will have a fine of ₱500.00 on the first offense, ₱750.00 on the second offense, and ₱1,000 on the third and succeeding offenses. Do note that these penalties and coding schemes were prior to the pandemic as such some rules may have changed. 
• In Cavite, any person found violating the UVRS or Number Coding Scheme shall be meted a fine of Three Hundred Pesos (₱300.00). For this purpose, the violator’s driver’s license shall be confiscated and issued a ticket, which ticket shall be used to claim the license after the payment of the fine.
• According to the new matrix, violators should pay the following: ₱500.00 each for number coding, tricycle ban and arrogance/discourteous conduct.

Payment Channels for Number Coding Violations

If you’re wondering where and how you are supposed to settle the fine for your number coding scheme violation, then the MMDA offers the following list of payment channels to choose from:

• MMDA Traffic Management Division
• Landbank Link Biz Portal
• Bayad Center
• SM Bills Payment
• PayMaya
• GCash
• GrabPay

Exemptions to the Number Coding Scheme

Like any other rule or law, the number coding scheme or UVVRP also comes with exemptions for special cases and vehicles. These exemptions mean that the coding scheme does not apply to certain vehicle types and on certain roads even though the scheme works in the city with jurisdiction over the area.

For more specific lists, you can refer to this complete guide to places and instances with coding exemptions:

List of vehicles that are exempted from the number coding scheme (except in Makati City)

• Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs – including tricycles
• Transport Network Vehicle Services
• Motorcycles
• Garbage, fuel, 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 and Hybrid Vehicles with LTO certification

Note: In Makati City, the following vehicles are also exempted from the number coding scheme:

• Ambulances, fire trucks, police patrol, military vehicles on official functions
• Diplomatic vehicles with diplomatic plates
• Government vehicles with government plates
• Official media vehicles with markings expressly showing their company while in official use
• Tow trucks duly accredited by the City of Makati
• Vehicles used by medical practitioners during emergency
• Vehicles with Senior Citizen Blu Card holders as drivers or passengers

In some places, the scheme doesn’t apply. These places include: 

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

Video: What is Number Coding?

Learn more about the expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or more popularly known as “number coding,” or for the previous generation, “color coding by watching this video posted by the MMDA:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For your reference, here are some common questions and answers that will help you gain more insight about the coding violation fees and the number coding scheme:

1. Can MMDA confiscate licenses for coding violations?

No. Only the Land Transportation Office (LTO) officers and their deputized agents may confiscate your licenses pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. That said, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcers cannot confiscate your licenses.

2. Does the number coding scheme apply only in Metro Manila?

No. In an effort to regulate vehicular activities in different areas, the UVVRP has also been stretched throughout different locations outside of Metro Manila. These places include Baguio, Cavite, Cabanatuan, and Dagupan, with all cities following the same daily conduction sticker or license plate restriction. 

Baguio, for instance, imposes the number coding scheme in the Central Business District which is crowded due to offices, businesses, and big schools situated within the area. There are selected areas that are limited to restrictions, too, which includes:

• Session Road
• Burnham Park
• Baguio City Market 

Cavite City has also been practicing the coding scheme, with its number coding scheme being implemented during weekdays from 6 AM to 7 PM on the following major thoroughfares within the territorial jurisdiction of the province:

• Aguinaldo Highway (Bacoor to Dasmarinas-Silang boundary)
• Governor’s Drive (Carmona to Trece Martires City – Tanza boundary)
• Molino-Salawag-Paliparan Road (Zapote, Bacoor to Paliparan, Dasmarinas)
• Molino Boulevard
• Daang Hari Road (Aguinaldo Highway, Imus to Molino, Bacoor)

3. What are the Number Coding hours?

Generally, the standard number coding scheme period applies so the restriction is effective from 7 AM to 10 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM. There are, however, special areas such as Makati City that still stick with the traditional 7 AM to 7 PM coding scheme with no window hours at all.

4. What are the Number Coding days?

As a driver or even as a car owner, knowing your vehicle’s plate number will lead to knowing your car coding days. After all the days when your car is coded depends on the last digit of your plate number. In particular, it is especially important to remember as it determines the day when you should avoid using it to avoid violating the number coding days. Plate numbers that end with 1 and 2 are not allowed to travel on certain roads every Monday. The same policy applies on plate numbers 3 and 4 every Tuesday, 5 and 6 every Wednesday, 7 and 8 every Thursday, and 9 and 0 every Friday.

Summary

As a driver or car owner, it is imperative to be aware of your vehicle’s plate number, especially the last digit, as well as the coding rules and regulations. This will help you avoid the inconvenience of settling hefty coding violations fees and penalties. It is also important to avoid using your car on days when it is coded to avoid having to face unnecessary troubles when renewing your driver’s license later on. Plus, it pays to know the coding violations fees in advance so you can avoid getting tricked if you’re ever faced with a coding violation later on. After all, a lot of enforcers tend to want to make profit out of most everything, thanks to the corrupt system which is effective in many places in the country.