On March 19, 2025, the Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe) has activated the Doble Hoy No Circula program in Mexico City and the State of Mexico due to critical air quality issues affecting the region. This initiative aims to mitigate the concentration of pollutants and improve environmental conditions in the densely populated Valle de México.
The restrictions imposed today will be in effect from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, targeting various categories of vehicles based on their environmental holograms.
Vehicles classified with Hologram 2 are prohibited from circulating throughout the day. Additionally, cars featuring Hologram 1 will also be restricted, specifically those with license plates ending in 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9. Vehicles displaying Holograms 0 and 00, which have a red sticker and license plates ending in 3 and 4, will not be permitted to operate as well.
Moreover, vehicles lacking a verification hologram—such as older cars, demonstration vehicles, new models, vehicles with tourist passes, foreign plates, or those with lettering plates—face similar restrictions as cars with Hologram 2. For delivery services, LP gas vehicles without a dry disconnection valve must restrict their movements by 50% if the last digit of their license plate is an odd number.
Local or federal cargo transport operations are also limited, barred from traveling between 6:00 and 10:00 AM, unless they are registered with the CDMX or Edomex Self-Regulation Program. Taxis with Holograms 00, 0, 1, or 2 will be restricted from 10:00 to 10:00 PM, contingent on their license plate number.
These regulations are applied across the 16 boroughs of Mexico City and the following 18 municipalities in the State of Mexico: Atizapán de Zaragoza, Coacalco de Berriozábal, Cuautitlán, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Chalco, Chicoloapan, Chimalhuacán, Ecatepec de Morelos, Huixquilucan, Ixtapaluca, La Paz, Naucalpan de Juárez, Nezahualcóyotl, Nicolás Romero, Tecámac, Tlalnepantla de Baz, Tultitlán, and Valle de Chalco.
Those who do not comply with the restrictions may receive a fine ranging from 20 to 30 times the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (UMA), which currently equates to an approximate total fine of 2,075 to 3,113 pesos. This highlights the city's commitment to enforcing regulations aimed at safeguarding the environment.
For exemptions, certain vehicles—such as electric and hybrid cars, as well as those owned by individuals with special permits—are not subject to the Doble Hoy No Circula rules. Moreover, motorcycles are excluded from these restrictions, ensuring they can circulate without penalties.
The CAMe advises citizens to remain vigilant and consult daily air quality reports to stay informed about potential restrictions as the program's activation is closely aligned with environmental conditions. Such measures might be temporarily suspended on holidays or during mandatory rest periods, yet emergency activation remains a possibility should pollution levels exceed set limits.
As spring approaches, air quality concerns are expected to escalate, thereby prompting the proactive measures reflected in the Doble Hoy No Circula activation. It raises the question: can collective action from residents lead to a significant improvement in air pollution levels?
Ultimately, the activation of this program underscores the ongoing challenges cities face in managing air quality and public health, especially within densely populated urban areas. Local authorities call for public collaboration in adhering to such measures as part of their shared responsibility towards environmental preservation.
