Navigating vehicle restrictions in Mexico City can feel overwhelming if you don't know the system. The Hoy No Circula program restricts vehicle circulation based on license plate numbers, emissions hologram types, and sticker colors. Designed to curb severe air pollution and manage urban traffic, the program operates Monday through Saturday across Mexico City and selected municipalities in the State of Mexico. Understanding how these limits apply to your car helps you avoid steep fines and unexpected delays.
The restrictions apply daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. If you're caught driving a vehicle banned on a specific day, traffic authorities can issue a heavy fine and send your car to the corralón (impound lot). This guide breaks down the weekday calendars, Saturday rotations, hologram exemptions, and rules for out-of-state or foreign vehicles so you can drive with confidence.
Weekday Restriction Schedule
The core weekday schedule relies on the final digit of your vehicle's license plate and the color of its verification sticker. These rules generally apply to vehicles with Hologram 1 and Hologram 2 classifications.
The weekly rotation breaks down as follows:
- Monday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 or 6 (Yellow sticker) cannot drive.
- Tuesday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 or 8 (Pink sticker) cannot drive.
- Wednesday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 or 4 (Red sticker) cannot drive.
- Thursday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 or 2 (Green sticker) cannot drive.
- Friday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9, 0, letters only, or temporary plates (Blue sticker) cannot drive.
Keep in mind that these prohibitions run continuously during the daytime window. If your car matches the restricted digit and sticker for that day, it must stay off public roads until 10:00 p.m.
Saturday Driving Rules
Saturday restrictions follow a different pattern based on whether the weekend falls on an odd or even week of the month. Vehicles with Hologram 2 are completely banned from driving on every single Saturday. For vehicles with Hologram 1, the rules alternate:
- First and third Saturday of the month: Vehicles with odd-numbered final digits (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) cannot circulate.
- Second and fourth Saturday of the month: Vehicles with even-numbered final digits (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) cannot circulate.
- Months with five Saturdays: On a fifth Saturday, restrictions typically apply only to vehicles with foreign plates, temporary permits, or specific administrative classifications, subject to local announcements.
Checking the calendar before heading out on the weekend prevents unexpected disruptions to your travel plans.
Understanding Holograms and Exemptions
Not all cars face the same level of restriction. Your vehicle's emissions verification hologram determines your exemption status:
- Hologram 00 and 0 (Double Zero and Zero): Vehicles carrying these holograms are generally exempt from weekly and Saturday restrictions. They can circulate every day, provided an environmental contingency is not active.
- Hologram 1: Subject to the standard weekday schedule based on plate numbers and alternating Saturday bans.
- Hologram 2: Faces the strictest rules. Alongside the standard weekday plate ban, these vehicles cannot drive on any Saturday and face tighter limits during high-pollution alerts.
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Fully exempt from the program. Battery-powered and qualifying hybrid cars can circulate freely every day of the week.
Rules for Out-of-State and Foreign Vehicles
If you are driving a car registered outside of Mexico City or the State of Mexico, standard local holograms won't apply to you. Out-of-state vehicles face a blanket morning restriction from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on weekdays, Monday through Friday. After 11:00 a.m., they must also follow the standard numerical plate restrictions that match local vehicles. Furthermore, out-of-state cars are automatically treated as Hologram 2 on Saturdays, meaning they cannot drive on weekends unless they hold a special exemption.
Travelers visiting the region temporarily can apply for a free Tourist Pass (Pase Turístico) online through the official CDMX portal. This pass exempts eligible out-of-state or foreign private vehicles from standard program limits for a short duration. You can request a 7-day pass twice every six months, or a single 14-day pass once every six months. Note that the Tourist Pass becomes invalid during declared environmental contingencies.
Environmental Contingencies and Emergency Protocols
When ozone or particulate matter levels spike due to weather conditions or heavy emissions, the Megalopolis Environmental Commission (CAMe) declares an environmental contingency (contingencia ambiental).
During a contingency, authorities activate enhanced restrictions often referred to as Doble Hoy No Circula (Double No-Drive Days). Under this emergency framework:
- Additional groups of vehicles with Hologram 0 and 00 are ordered off the road based on their plate numbers.
- Commercial and private transport limits tighten significantly.
- Weekend restrictions may expand unexpectedly.
Checking local news or official meteorological feeds each morning ensures you stay informed if an emergency protocol goes into effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I violate the Hoy No Circula rules?
Traffic police can stop your vehicle, issue a financial fine measured in measurement units (UMA), and have your car towed to an official impound lot. Retrieving your vehicle requires paying both the fine and the towing fees.
Are foreign-plated cars from the United States subject to these rules?
Yes. Vehicles with foreign plates must obey the morning weekday restrictions and Saturday bans unless they have registered for a valid Tourist Pass.
How do I get a Tourist Pass for my car?
You can request the pass online via the official government portal by entering your vehicle's registration details. It is free of charge, but cars registered in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and neighboring megalopolis states are ineligible.
Do motorcycles have to follow Hoy No Circula?
Standard motorcycles generally have distinct rules or exemptions compared to passenger cars, but they must still comply with local traffic laws and emissions checks where applicable. Always verify current local updates for two-wheeled transit.
