Quezon City Coding Hours 2026: Complete Guide to Number Coding Schedule, Window Hours, and Exemptions

If you drive in Quezon City, understanding the number coding scheme is not optional, it is the difference between a smooth commute and a traffic violation fine. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about Quezon City coding hours in 2026: the daily schedule, coding window hours, which vehicles and roads are exempt, penalties for violations, and when coding is suspended.

What Is Number Coding (UVVRP)?

Number coding, officially called the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), is a road space rationing system introduced in 1995 by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). It restricts private vehicles from using major roads during peak hours based on the last digit of their license plate number.

Quezon City, being one of the largest and most traffic-congested cities in Metro Manila, fully implements the MMDA UVVRP scheme on its major roads from Monday to Friday. The goal is simple: fewer cars on the road during rush hours means smoother traffic flow for everyone.

Quezon City Coding Hours 2026

For 2026, Quezon City follows the standard MMDA coding schedule:

Coding is enforced Monday through Friday only. It does not apply on Saturdays, Sundays, or declared public holidays.

QC Number Coding Schedule by Plate Number (2026)

Vehicles are restricted based on the last digit of their license plate number. Here is the complete weekly schedule:

Example: If your plate ends in 5 or 6, you cannot drive on major QC roads on Wednesday between 7:00 AM–10:00 AM and again between 5:00 PM–8:00 PM.

Quezon City Coding Window Hours Explained

The window hours are the midday break in the coding scheme when even restricted vehicles can legally use major roads. In Quezon City, window hours run from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.

This means a coded vehicle can drive freely during:

• 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM (window hours)
• 8:01 PM to 6:59 AM the next day (after coding ends for the evening)

The window hours are designed to allow motorists to run midday errands, attend appointments, or complete deliveries without penalty. If you need to travel on your coding day, plan your trips within this window.

Important: Quezon City’s window hours differ from Makati City, which enforces coding continuously from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM with zero window hours. If your route passes through Makati, be aware of this stricter policy.

Major Roads in Quezon City Where Coding is Enforced

Number coding in QC applies specifically to major thoroughfares, not all roads. Key roads where coding enforcement is active include:

• EDSA (Quezon City segment)
• Quezon Avenue
• Commonwealth Avenue
• C.P. Garcia Avenue (University Avenue)
• Aurora Boulevard
• Katipunan Avenue (C-5)
• East Avenue
• Timog Avenue
• Tomas Morato Avenue
• Mindanao Avenue
• Elliptical Road

Interior roads within barangays and subdivisions generally do not enforce the coding scheme. If you are unsure about a specific road, verify with MMDA or the QC Traffic Management Division before traveling.

Vehicles Exempt from Number Coding in Quezon City

Not all vehicles are subject to the number coding scheme. The following are permanently or conditionally exempt under MMDA guidelines:

Permanently Exempt Vehicles

• Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) — jeepneys, buses, UV Express
• Motorcycles (generally exempt in most Metro Manila cities)
• Taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS/Grab)
• Government vehicles on official duty
• Police, military, and law enforcement vehicles
• Fire trucks and emergency rescue vehicles
• Ambulances and medical emergency vehicles
• Garbage and waste collection trucks
• Fuel tankers and trucks carrying essential goods (MMDA approved an exemption resolution for these in early 2026)
• LTO-certified Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
• LTO-certified Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
• Vehicles carrying perishable goods (fruits, meat, dairy, etc.)
• Media vehicles on official coverage

Conditional Exemptions Specific to Quezon City

• Alternative fuel vehicles — Owners of vehicles using alternative fuels may apply for a coding exemption at Quezon City Hall. The exemption is not automatic; an application must be filed and approved.
• Vehicles transporting PWD (Persons with Disability) — Must display a valid PWD ID and the appropriate vehicle sticker.

Note: For vehicles carrying persons with disabilities or perishable goods, exemptions are not automatic. Owners must file an application with the MMDA for evaluation. The government carefully reviews each case to prevent the exemptions from undermining the program’s effectiveness.

Penalties for Coding Violations in Quezon City

If you drive your coded vehicle on a major QC road during restricted hours without a valid exemption, a traffic enforcer can pull you over and issue a violation ticket on the spot.

The fine amount can vary depending on the specific road and whether the apprehension is made by MMDA enforcers or Quezon City Traffic Management Division personnel, as each LGU processes its own violations.

Payment must be made within seven (7) days of the violation. Unpaid violations can result in additional fines and may affect your vehicle registration renewal.

How Apprehension Works

1. The enforcer observes the vehicle during restricted coding hours on a covered road.
2. The vehicle is flagged down.
3. The motorist is informed of the violation.
4. A ticket is issued with instructions on where and how to pay or contest the violation.

Quezon City also operates a No-Contact Apprehension system using traffic cameras on select roads. This means you can receive a violation notice even without being stopped by an enforcer.

When Is Coding Suspended in Quezon City?

The number coding scheme is automatically suspended — no separate announcement required — on the following occasions:

Regular Suspensions

• All official national public holidays declared by Malacañang, including:
  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (Holy Week)
  • Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9)
  • Labor Day (May 1)
  • Independence Day (June 12)
  • Ninoy Aquino Day (August 21)
  • National Heroes Day (last Monday of August)
  • Bonifacio Day (November 30)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
  • Rizal Day (December 30)
• All weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
• Special non-working holidays declared by Malacañang (MMDA typically issues a confirmation notice 24 hours before)
• Election days

Event-Based Suspensions

• SONA (State of the Nation Address) — The 2026 SONA in July will suspend coding specifically in Quezon City, since the Batasang Pambansa complex is located in QC. Other Metro Manila cities maintain their usual coding during SONA.
• Holy Week — Coding is typically suspended from Maundy Thursday through Black Saturday.
• Christmas season — Coding is usually suspended December 24–26.
• Typhoon and calamity declarations — Coding is lifted when PAGASA raises a storm signal warning.
• APEC summits, state visits, and major events — MMDA may implement special traffic rules that override coding on affected routes.

Recent example: For the 2025–2026 holiday season, the MMDA suspended coding from December 23–25, 2025, and from December 29, 2025 to January 2, 2026, under an Office of the President memorandum.

Always check MMDA’s official Facebook page or X (Twitter) account for real-time updates on suspension announcements.

Quezon City vs Other Metro Manila Cities: Coding Comparison

Understanding how QC compares to neighboring cities helps you plan routes on your coding day.

Special Note: NLEX Balintawak Entry and QC Jurisdiction

Many motorists using NLEX assume expressways are coding-free. While the mainline toll sections of NLEX, SCTEX, and other expressways are not covered by number coding, entry and exit points within QC jurisdiction are a different story.

The NLEX Balintawak entry is located within Quezon City. If you enter at 7:30 AM on a Monday with a plate ending in 1 or 2, you are technically within a coded area and subject to QC coding rules. Plan your expressway entry accordingly.

Tips for Driving in Quezon City on Your Coding Day

1. Use the window hours. Schedule your errands, meetings, and deliveries between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM when your coded vehicle can legally travel on major QC roads.
   
2. Check for holiday or event suspensions. Before your trip, verify whether coding has been suspended due to a holiday, SONA, or special event. MMDA posts announcements on social media.
   
3. Know your coding-free roads. Interior barangay roads and private subdivision streets are generally not covered by the UVVRP. Use them to navigate around major thoroughfares on your coding day.
   
4. Consider alternative fuel vehicles. QC allows alternative fuel vehicle owners to apply for a coding exemption at city hall — worth exploring if you plan to purchase a new vehicle.
   
5. Monitor the No-Contact Apprehension system. You do not have to be stopped in person to receive a coding violation. Camera-based enforcement is active on select QC roads.
   
6. Pay fines promptly. Violations must be settled within seven days to avoid additional penalties.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

Does number coding apply in Quezon City on weekends? No. Coding is not enforced on Saturdays, Sundays, or declared public holidays anywhere in Metro Manila including Quezon City.

What roads in QC are coding-free? Interior barangay roads, subdivision streets, and roads not designated as major MMDA thoroughfares are generally not covered. However, always verify specific roads before assuming they are exempt.

Are motorcycles subject to coding in Quezon City? Motorcycles are generally exempt from the number coding scheme in Quezon City and most Metro Manila cities. The notable exception is Makati City, which applies coding to motorcycles as well.

What is the difference between coding hours and window hours? Coding hours (7:00–10:00 AM and 5:00–8:00 PM) are when coded vehicles cannot use major roads. Window hours (10:01 AM–4:59 PM) are the midday break when coded vehicles may travel freely.

Can I drive through Quezon City on EDSA during window hours if my car is coded? Yes. During the window hours of 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, your vehicle may use any major road in Quezon City including EDSA without penalty.

What happens if I get caught violating coding in QC? You will receive a violation ticket with a fine of ₱300 to ₱500. You must pay within seven days, or additional charges will apply.

Final Thoughts

Quezon City’s number coding scheme in 2026 follows the standard MMDA UVVRP framework: restricted hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays, with a generous midday window from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. Understanding the schedule, knowing which roads and vehicles are exempt, and staying updated on suspension announcements will help you navigate QC’s roads efficiently and legally.

For the latest coding updates, always check the MMDA official Facebook page or the LTO portal for real-time advisories.

Last updated: May 2026. Traffic policies are subject to change. Always verify the latest schedule from MMDA or the Quezon City Traffic Management Division before traveling.