which cars can circulate and which rest on March 28

This Saturday the Hoy No Circula Saturday scheme is launched again, the program with which the Secretariat of the Environment of Mexico City (SEDEMA) restricts the circulation of some vehicles to contain pollution in the Valley of Mexico. Once again, those who plan to use the car should carefully check the finish of their license plate and the verification hologram before going out on the street.

The restrictions are not limited to the 16 municipalities of CDMX, but also extend to several metropolitan municipalities of the State of Mexico. The program also operates in:

• 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

Also, remember that if your route passes through any of these locations, the Saturday No Circulation Day also applies.

What cars and license plates does Hoy No Circula Saturday affect?

The logic of the program is to reduce the number of cars in circulation to reduce emissions, but on Saturdays specific rules are applied that complement the scheme from Monday to Friday. Not all vehicle owners are forced to leave their car on the same weekend: the hologram, the finish of the license plate and whether Saturday corresponds to an odd or even week are the parameters that determine who stays parked and who can drive.

It is also essential to consider that the Not on Saturday Circulation Today It does not apply 24 hours a day. The application hours go from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., so that outside of that time frame—at night and early morning—the program does not limit vehicle traffic, as long as no environmental contingency or other extraordinary provision that adds additional restrictions is declared.

In the case of March 28, 2026, the calendar indicates that it is the fourth Saturday of the month, which is why it is classified as an “even week.” Under this configuration, vehicles with hologram 1 and license plates ending in an even number are those that must remain out of circulation during program hours.

If your car fits that combination, you’ll need to keep it stored until after 10 p.m. On the contrary, cars with hologram 0 and 00 retain permission to circulate without restrictions within the framework of Today No Circula Saturday. Those with hologram 2 cannot circulate under any circumstances on Saturdays.

In addition to the previous assumptions, it is important to remember that there are a series of exempt vehicles that can circulate without being affected by these limitations. These are:

• Electric, natural gas or hybrid technology vehicles
• Units registered with plates for people with disabilities
• All those intended for urban public transport services (including funeral services)
• Those dedicated to school or passenger transportation
• Those assigned to public security and/or civil protection

Those who decide to ignore the provisions of Hoy No Circula are exposed to a considerable financial penalty. The fine for violating the program ranges from 20 to 30 times the Measurement and Update Unit (UMA), which is equivalent to approximately 1,924.40 pesos at the minimum and up to 2,886.60 pesos at the maximum. Added to this economic impact is the possibility that the vehicle will be immobilized and the time that will have to be invested in resolving the situation before the authorities. Which cars and license plates are affected by Hoy No Circula Saturday?

In conclusion, if you are going to travel by car this Saturday through CDMX or through the suburban municipalities of the State of Mexico included in the program, it is advisable to check before starting what hologram your vehicle has, what the ending of your license plate is and if the calendar shows an even or odd week. Hoy No Circula Saturday focuses on removing the most polluting cars from circulation, but at the same time it requires better planning of trips and evaluating mobility alternatives when the vehicle must rest.

Photo | Vanessa Krebs

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