EDSA Coding Window Hours 2026: Schedule, Rules & Fines Guide

EDSA Coding Window Hours in 2026 are from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, Monday through Friday. During these hours, drivers can use EDSA even when their license plate number is restricted for the day. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforces number coding from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The EDSA coding system follows the last digit of your vehicle's license plate. Drivers must also watch for different rules on nearby Makati City roads, where regular window hours do not apply. This guide explains the full coding schedule, allowed driving times, fines, exemptions, and the status of the proposed odd-even scheme.

Traffic rules reviewed: October 22, 2026.

EDSA Coding Window Hours 2026: Quick Information

What Are EDSA Coding Window Hours?

EDSA coding window hours are the times when a vehicle may travel despite having a restricted plate number for that day. Under the standard MMDA number coding system, this window runs from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. Drivers can also travel outside the morning and evening coding periods.

For example, suppose your plate number ends in 2. Your coding day is Monday, so you cannot use EDSA during the morning and evening restrictions. However, you may drive at 12:00 PM because that falls within the permitted window hours.

The important point is that window hours do not cancel your coding day. They only give drivers time to travel between the two restricted periods. Local restrictions may still apply when leaving EDSA and entering city streets.

Official schedule confirmation: In a January 5, 2026 advisory reported by DZRH News, MMDA confirmed the regular morning and evening coding periods, midday window hours, and overnight permitted driving hours. This helps clarify outdated online claims that EDSA has no midday window under the standard UVVRP.

EDSA Coding Hours and Window Hours Schedule

The MMDA uses two daily restriction periods to reduce vehicle traffic during busy commuting hours. On a vehicle's coding day, it cannot use roads covered by the standard scheme during those periods.

These times follow the standard Expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP). They apply to regular weekdays, except when an official advisory changes or suspends the schedule.

Drivers should avoid planning trips too close to the start of restricted hours. Heavy traffic can delay a journey and leave a coded vehicle on the road after the permitted window closes.

EDSA Number Coding Schedule by Plate Number

Your coding day depends on the last digit of your license plate. The MMDA restricts two plate-number endings each weekday.

For example, a car with plate number ABC 1234 has a last digit of 4, so its coding day is Tuesday. It cannot travel on covered EDSA lanes between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM or between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM that day.

A plate ending in 9 has Friday as its coding day. On other regular weekdays, that vehicle is not restricted by the standard number coding schedule, although other traffic regulations still apply. For a clearer explanation of how plate digits determine coding days, read our Metro Manila number coding guide.

EDSA Coding Today: How to Check Your Plate

To check EDSA coding today, look at the current weekday and compare it with the final digit of your license plate. If your number matches the day's restrictions, plan your journey around the coding hours.

For example, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 7 or 8 follow Thursday's coding schedule. On a regular Thursday, these vehicles cannot use MMDA-covered EDSA roads during the morning and evening restriction periods, but they can travel during permitted window hours.

Before traveling, check the MMDA's latest public advisories. Public holidays, severe weather, or special government announcements may temporarily change normal enforcement. You can also use our Metro Manila Coding Hour Checker to check your plate number against the city and road rules stored on our website.

EDSA Coding Time Checker

Check your plate's last digit, travel day, and planned driving time using the EDSA Coding Time Checker below. The tool follows the regular MMDA coding schedule and can also compare Makati's local-road restrictions.

Note: The checker is a planning guide. It does not automatically verify public holidays, emergency suspensions, or live MMDA announcements.

Does EDSA Have Window Hours in Makati?

EDSA generally follows the MMDA schedule, but drivers must be careful when traveling into Makati City. Makati has separate number coding rules for its local roads. These restrictions normally run continuously from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM without a midday window.

The difference matters when leaving EDSA. For example, a coded vehicle may be allowed on an MMDA-controlled EDSA segment during the midday window but still face restrictions after turning onto a Makati road covered by the city's ordinance.

The standard MMDA coding schedule includes midday window hours from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, while Makati applies a separate 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM restriction without a midday window on covered city roads. Because published guides differ on the treatment of some EDSA sections within Makati, drivers should confirm the rules for their specific route with MMDA or Makati traffic authorities. This is especially important near connecting streets, service roads, and exit ramps.

EDSA vs. Makati Coding Window Hours

Important: The treatment of particular roads and access points within Makati can require checking road-specific jurisdiction. Do not assume every EDSA ramp, service road, or adjoining street follows the same schedule. When planning a route through Makati, verify the current local ordinance and relevant MMDA instructions.

Can You Use EDSA at Noon on Your Coding Day?

Yes. Under the regular MMDA schedule, you can use EDSA at 12:00 PM, even when your license plate matches the day's restricted numbers. Noon falls inside the standard midday window from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM.

For example, a vehicle ending in 5 may use an MMDA-covered EDSA segment at 1:30 PM on Wednesday. However, the driver should check the rules before entering Makati's locally regulated streets, where continuous daytime restrictions may apply.

The key is to check your entire route, not just the road where your journey begins. A permitted EDSA trip does not automatically make every nearby city road available to a coded vehicle.

EDSA Coding Fine: What Happens If You Violate the Rules?

Driving on EDSA during restricted coding hours can result in a traffic citation. Under the Metro Manila Traffic Code's single-ticketing framework, the standard number coding penalty is reported as ₱500. Some older guides still list ₱300, while separate local violations may carry different amounts.

The ₱500 penalty is listed in the MMDA traffic violation schedule included in a March 31, 2026 memorandum from the University of the Philippines Diliman. The schedule shows a ₱500 fine for first, second, and third UVVRP offenses under the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023. Drivers should still follow the amount and payment instructions on their official citation, especially when a separate local ordinance applies.

A violation involving a separate traffic offense, such as unauthorized EDSA Busway use, has different penalties. Makati's local coding penalties may also differ from the standard MMDA fine. For more details about payment methods, deadlines, and how to contest a ticket, read our Coding Violation Fee in Metro Manila 2026 guide.

Source: UP Diliman — MMDA Traffic Violations and Penalties (PDF)

Can EDSA Traffic Cameras Catch Coding Violations?

The No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) allows traffic authorities to record violations using cameras without stopping drivers on the road. The Supreme Court issued its decision on June 3, 2026, and released it publicly on July 9, 2026. The Court dismissed petitions involving earlier NCAP ordinances and lifted the remaining temporary restraining order, but it did not rule that the challenged ordinances were valid.

NCAP resumed in Manila, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, and San Juan on October 5, 2026. Although Parañaque and Valenzuela were initially included in the rollout, both cities postponed their local implementation. MMDA also uses camera-based enforcement on major roads, including EDSA, but coverage may vary by location and violation type. Drivers should check the latest MMDA or local government notices before relying on enforcement information.

If you receive an official violation notice, check its details and follow the authorized payment or dispute procedure. Do not send money or personal information through an unfamiliar link claiming to be an MMDA payment portal.

Sources: Supreme Court NCAP Decision | GMA News October 5, 2026 Update

Vehicles Exempted From EDSA Number Coding

Not every vehicle is covered by the same number coding restrictions. Under the expanded UVVRP, several vehicle categories are generally exempt.

These include:

• Public utility vehicles and authorized TNVS vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Ambulances and fire trucks
• Marked government vehicles performing official duties
• Authorized emergency vehicles
• Garbage collection vehicles
• Petroleum delivery trucks
• Marked media vehicles
• Vehicles transporting essential or perishable goods

Qualifying electric and hybrid vehicles also receive number coding exemptions under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). Vehicle owners should confirm that their model and registration meet the relevant classification requirements.

The Department of Energy's October 9, 2025 statement confirms the statutory exemption and explains how recognized electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicle categories are classified. Drivers can check model recognition through the EV Industry Portal mentioned by the DOE.

Exemptions do not mean a vehicle can ignore all other road rules. For instance, the EDSA Busway has separate access restrictions even when a vehicle is exempt from standard number coding.

Is the EDSA Odd-Even Coding Scheme Active in 2026?

The proposed EDSA odd-even scheme was canceled in June 2025. It had been introduced as a traffic management proposal connected with planned EDSA rehabilitation work. The government later suspended that plan and continued the existing number coding system.

Under the proposed system, odd-numbered plates would have been restricted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while even-numbered plates would have been restricted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The proposed restrictions were different from regular weekday number coding.

The important difference is that the odd-even proposal was not the regular UVVRP system. As of the sources reviewed for this guide, no verified official advisory establishes that the canceled odd-even proposal has replaced the normal EDSA schedule. The Philippine Information Agency's June 1, 2025 report confirms the cancellation and continuation of regular number coding.

Always check MMDA announcements before relying on older odd-even articles.

How to Avoid EDSA Coding Violations

A little planning can help drivers avoid unnecessary penalties and travel delays.

1. Check your plate number. Look at the last digit and identify your coding day.
2. Know the restricted times. Avoid EDSA between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM and between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM on your coding day.
3. Use the midday window. Schedule permitted trips between 10:01 AM and 4:59 PM.
4. Allow extra travel time. Do not assume that you can exit a busy road in just a few minutes.
5. Check city-specific rules. Makati streets may have different restrictions.
6. Read official advisories. Check for holidays, weather-related suspensions, and temporary traffic changes.

Drivers should also remember that number coding does not replace regular road safety rules. Lane restrictions, traffic signals, speed limits, and Busway regulations still apply during window hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time are EDSA coding window hours?

The standard EDSA coding window is from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM. Vehicles can also travel outside the morning and evening restriction periods, including after 8:00 PM.

Can I drive on EDSA at 12 PM on my coding day?

Yes. Under the standard MMDA schedule, 12:00 PM falls within the midday window hours. Make sure your route does not enter a road with a separate local restriction.

Can I drive on EDSA at 3 PM on my coding day?

Yes. At 3:00 PM, the standard midday window is still open on MMDA-covered EDSA roads. Remember that the evening coding restriction begins at 5:00 PM, so allow enough time to complete your journey.

Can I cross EDSA during coding hours?

Crossing EDSA at an intersection does not automatically exempt a vehicle from normal number coding. You must follow the restrictions that apply to the road you are traveling on. The proposed 2025 odd-even scheme had a separate crossing provision, but that proposal was canceled.

Is Skyway exempt from number coding?

Yes. The standard MMDA number coding system does not apply on the Skyway toll expressway itself. However, restrictions may apply after you exit onto EDSA or a covered city road, so check your entry and exit route.

Is there EDSA coding on Saturday and Sunday?

No. The standard MMDA number coding scheme does not apply on Saturdays or Sundays. Other traffic restrictions and special advisories may still apply.

Is EDSA coding suspended on public holidays?

The standard number coding scheme is generally suspended on regular public holidays. For special non-working days and other occasions, check the latest MMDA announcement.

Does EDSA coding apply to motorcycles?

Motorcycles are generally exempt from the regular Expanded UVVRP number coding restrictions. Motorcycle riders must still follow all other applicable traffic and lane rules.

Is EDSA coding enforced after 8 PM?

No. Under the standard schedule, the evening coding period ends at 8:00 PM. From 8:01 PM, a coded vehicle may travel again, subject to other traffic regulations.

How much is the EDSA coding violation fine?

The standard fine is commonly reported as ₱500 under the Metro Manila single-ticketing framework. Confirm the applicable amount and payment details with the enforcing authority, especially for violations covered by a separate local ordinance.

Are EDSA and Makati coding hours the same?

Not always. EDSA generally follows MMDA's morning and evening restrictions, while Makati's local roads normally enforce continuous coding from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM without window hours. Verify road-specific rules when traveling through Makati.

Final Thoughts

EDSA coding window hours in 2026 run from 10:01 AM to 4:59 PM, giving drivers time to travel between the morning and evening restrictions. Before leaving, check your license plate's last digit, confirm your coding day, and plan your trip around the MMDA schedule.

Remember that Makati's local roads may follow different restrictions, and traffic rules can change through official announcements. Use our EDSA Coding Time Checker to plan your trip, and check the latest MMDA updates to avoid unexpected fines and delays.