This Saturday, the Hoy No Circula Saturday initiative will be in effect, a program spearheaded by the Mexico City Environment Secretariat. Its primary goal is to reduce vehicular traffic and curb pollution levels in the Valley of Mexico. Motorists should pay close attention to the finishing digits of their license plates and their verification holograms before heading out.
Geographic Scope of the Program
The Hoy No Circula initiative isn’t confined to Mexico City alone. It extends to numerous metropolitan municipalities in the State of Mexico as well. The municipalities affected include:
- Atizapan of Zaragoza
- Coacalco de Berriozábal
- Cuautitlan
- Cuautitlán Izcalli
- Chalco
- Chicoloapan
- Chimalhuacan
- Ecatepec de Morelos
- Huixquilucan
- Ixtapaluca
- Peace
- Naucalpan de Juárez
- Nezahualcoyotl
- Nicolas Romero
- Tecámac
- Tlalnepantla de Baz
- Tultitlan
- Chalco Valley
License Plate Regulations for Hoy No Circula
The core of the Hoy No Circula scheme is straightforward: it aims to keep a portion of vehicles off the streets to minimize emissions and traffic congestion. Saturdays operate under specific rules that differ from the Monday to Friday regulations. Importantly, not all vehicles are subject to restrictions on the same weekend, which means the hologram type, license plate ending, and the week’s parity (even or odd) all come into play.
Timing of Restrictions
It’s crucial to note that the Hoy No Circula restrictions are not in effect 24/7. For Saturdays like February 14, 2026, restrictions apply from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Outside these hours, you’re free to drive, provided there are no other environmental contingencies affecting circulation.
Specifics for February 14, 2026
This particular Saturday is the second of the month, classified as an “even week.” As such, vehicles with a hologram 1 and license plates ending in an even number must remain parked during these hours. Conversely, cars featuring holograms 0 and 00 enjoy unrestricted access to the roads.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are specific exceptions that allow certain vehicles to operate even when others are bound by the restrictions:
- Vehicles powered by electric, natural gas, or hybrid technology
- Vehicles registered with plates for people with disabilities
- Public transport vehicles (including funeral services)
- Vehicles designated for school transport or passenger services
- Public safety and civil protection vehicles
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Disregarding the Hoy No Circula regulations can result in significant financial penalties. Fines range from 20 to 30 times the Measurement and Update Unit (UMA), which is approximately between 1,924.40 pesos and 2,886.60 pesos.
Final Thoughts
As you plan your travels this Saturday, remember to verify your vehicle’s hologram, the last digit of your license plate, and which week (even or odd) it is on the calendar. The Hoy No Circula Saturday program aims not only to reduce emissions from the most polluting vehicles but also to encourage better trip planning and alternative mobility solutions.
Photo | Ryotando