On Monday, March 24, 2025, Mexico City will enforce its longstanding Hoy No Circula vehicle restriction program, impacting many drivers in the metropolitan area. Vehicles bearing yellow stickers or holograms 1 and 2, along with plates ending in 5 and 6, will not be permitted to circulate.
The Hoy No Circula program is an established initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and reducing air pollution, operating daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, a total of 17 hours. Drivers are urged to comply with these regulations, which apply in all 16 alcaldías of Mexico City and 18 municipalities in the State of Mexico.
As the number of vehicles on the road continues to grow, local authorities are keen on ensuring the effectiveness of the Hoy No Circula. Vehicles exempt from the restrictions, such as those with holograms 0 or 00, electric vehicles, hybrid cars, and motorcycles, can circulate freely. Additionally, classic cars, emergency vehicle access, vehicles for persons with disabilities, and cars with tourist permits are also exempt.
In February this year, a review of the Hoy No Circula initiative indicated a steady rise in overall compliance among motorists, with authorities providing heightened support through outreach programs that raise awareness about vehicle restrictions. This has been vital in ensuring that drivers understand their circulation days, whether they check via the official portal dedicated to Hoy No Circula or through local news media.
For those who may inadvertently breach these regulations, it's important to note that the penalties can be quite steep. The fine for violating the Hoy No Circula program ranges from 20 to 30 times the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (UMA), which translates to approximately 2,075 to 3,113 pesos. Vehicle impoundment is also a possibility until such fines are settled. This plays into the enforcement strategy by the authorities aimed at maintaining compliance.
A potential increase in the strain on air quality has prompted discussions by the Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe) to re-evaluate the existing measures. In severe pollution occurrences, a double Hoy No Circula may be enacted, further extending circulation restrictions on specific vehicle types, particularly those with holograms 2 and a portion of cars bearing hologram 1. This restricts vehicles based on their license plate endings, either odd or even, to ramp up pollution control efforts.
Thus, the Hoy No Circula program persists as a critical strategy for environmental preservation in Mexico as authorities adjust restrictions according to air quality reports. As citizens navigate these rules, some key municipalities in the State of Mexico affected by these regulations include Atizapán de Zaragoza, Coacalco de Berriozábal, Ecatepec, and Naucalpan de Juárez.
For those preparing to travel on March 24, verifying circulation eligibility is essential. By entering the necessary details on the official Hoy No Circula website, drivers can quickly ascertain if their vehicles are subject to restrictions.
In sum, staying informed about circulation restrictions during the Hoy No Circula will mitigate the inconvenience posed by non-compliance and also contribute positively towards improving air quality in Mexico City and its neighboring municipalities. It exemplifies how urban regulations manage to push for environmental protection amidst rising vehicle usage, making it a topic of enduring relevance.
