The Hoy No Circula Saturday program remains a key environmental initiative by Mexico City’s SEDEMA to curb air pollution across the Valley of Mexico. These regulations are enforced not only throughout Mexico City’s 16 boroughs but also across 18 surrounding municipalities in the State of Mexico.
How Saturday Restrictions Work
Unlike weekday rules, Saturday traffic limits depend on a rotating calendar that evaluates vehicle verification holograms, license plate endings, and whether the current week is odd or even. The restriction is enforced strictly between 05:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
On odd-numbered Saturdays, vehicles bearing hologram 1 and odd-numbered plates must remain off the road. Meanwhile, cars with hologram 2 are barred from driving every single Saturday of the year, whereas 0 and 00 hologram vehicles enjoy full circulation privileges.
Exemptions and Penalties
To protect essential services and green mobility, certain vehicles are fully exempt:
- Electric, hybrid, and natural gas-powered vehicles.
- Vehicles registered for drivers with disabilities.
- Public transit, school buses, passenger transport, and funeral services.
- Public safety and civil protection units.
Failing to comply with these environmental driving restrictions results in hefty fines ranging from roughly 1,924 to 2,886 Mexican pesos, alongside the risk of having the vehicle impounded.