Mexico City and its surrounding areas have a strict “Hoy no circula” (“Today you can’t drive” or “Day without a Car”) program. The program is intended to reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions.
The graphic shows the major rules for most vehicles. With few exceptions, these rules apply to all tourist vehicles as well as Mexican-plated vehicles.
Area subject to “Day without a Car” rules, November-2013. All rights reserved.
As of November 2013, the “Hoy no circula” program applies to the Federal District and the following 18 adjoining municipalities in the State of Mexico (see map):
- Atizapán de Zaragoza
- Coacalco de Berriozabal
- Cuautitlán
- Cuautitlán Izcalli
- Chalco
- Chimalhuacan
- Chicoloapan
- Ecatepec de Morelos
- Huixquilucan
- Ixtapaluca
- La Paz
- Naucalpan de Juárez
- Nezahualcóyotl
- Nicolás Romero
- Tecámac
- Tlalnepantla de Baz
- Tultitlán
- Valle de Chalco Solidaridad
No responsibility or liability is assumed for any situation arising from the information contained within this post, which is believed to be accurate at the time of writing. For more details about the growth of Mexico City, and its urban issues and management strategies, consider buying a copy of Geo-Mexico: the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico, available from all good bookstores, as well as via amazon.com or this webpage.
2 Responses to “Mexico City’s “Today you can’t drive” (Day without a Car) program, “Hoy no circula”.”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
I found your article about Hoy No Circula and the map. The map indicates that the restricted zone does not include the entire state of Mexico. Other info we have seen indicates the restricted zone includes all of the state of Mexico. Can you clarify and/or provide websites that might be able to clarify? Thank you for any help.
Good question! The following recent press article – http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/edomex/2013/impreso/viable-el-8220hoy-no-circula-8221-en-toluca-7280.html – indicates clearly that there is not yet any “hoy no circula” program in the Valley of Toluca, so clearly the program does not (yet) apply to the entire Estado de México.
The map remains correct, see http://comisionambiental.wordpress.com/2013/11/01/el-programa-hoy-no-circula-en-el-valle-de-mexico-opera-de-manera-normal/ [dated 1 Nov 2013] from the Comisión Ambiental Metropolitana webpage. Note that a couple of municipalities in the State of Mexico are reportedly not currently enforcing “Hoy no circula” (on the grounds that traffic police have been overzealous in hassling motorists) – but obviously, you can’t rely on that still being true in the future!
Have a safe and enjoyable trip!