Here we are, we have a flat, our furniture is 80% in and now is time to liven our place with a bunch of plants. We jump on the car ready to head to the Coyoacan Viveros, TIDAL is selected and Google maps are set. Two turns from the house and BAM! the police is behind us and asking us to park, we keep our cool, we just bought the car and it still has the provisional permit, this is the 4th time someone is asking to check our papers only this time, it seems we’re infringing the law, “Uy Señorita, Hoy No Circula! “obviously these words are received with blank stares from my husband and me, What? What do you mean? The car is straight out of the Agency, What?
Long story short, 15 mins later, we’re sheepishly heading back home after convincing the cop we had no idea of this program, and promising we’ll drive straight back home and jump on an Uber. We were lucky the policeman realised we had no concept of what he was saying and he let us leave with a warning but we’re here to avoid you trouble so keep reading to understand the history and logic behind this government program.
Let’s face it, Mexico has some of the worst traffic and pollution levels in the world. Throughout the years, the government has tried lots of different initiatives, some more successful than others to try and cap the levels of “Inversion Termica” and leave our air slightly more breathable.
Enter the Hoy No Circula Programme which basically caps the amount of cars that can drive through the city on a given day of the week, based on the plates number and an emissions test (Verificacion) that will dictate how often you’re able to drive your vehicle. If you have decided to purchase a car in Mexico, you will need to pass the “Verificacion”(an analysis of your car’s pollutants emissions) every 6 months. Every Delegacion has a number of verificentros (Linked here) where you can go and get the test. Price is about 500MXN.
Once the test is done, a sticker will be affixed to your vehicle indicating whether is exempt from the program or not. Based on the result of their emissions test, vehicles are assigned to four classes.
Class "00". Class "0" (generally, cars less than 9 years old and meeting more stringent emissions requirements) are exempt from the Hoy no Circula program.
Class "1" vehicles are subject to the Hoy no Circula program.
Class "2" vehicles meet weaker emissions requirements, but are subject to both Hoy no Circula and an environmental contingency program.
Class 2 vehicles also include all vehicles that are older than 8 years old and that do not have an extension as permitted under the Class 00 program.
In Case you…
...Just bought my car from the Agency!
Congratulations! Any vehicle less than 10 years is usually exempt from the Hoy no Circula, nevertheless don’t forget to head to the Verificentro so you can get the coveted Holograma 0.
...Are purchasing a used car in Mexico
Always be very careful the car’s papers are in order and properly paid, Mexico has a property car tax called Tenencia that, if unpaid, will prevent you to pass the emissions test.
...Have a collectible (Auto Antiguo)
If you have a car 30 years or older first Lucky You! You will need to apply for a special License Plate that is around 20,000MXN but you will be exempted of the Hoy No Circula program.
...Are handicapped, diplomat or purchased a solar/electric car
Solar or electric cars are exempted from the program, so are diplomatic cars and handicapped plates.
...Have Foreign Plates
Cars from Canada, USA, or other Mexican states that don’t have a reciprocal agreement with Mexico City (basically all states except for Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Michoacan, Morelos, Puebla, Querétaro and Tlaxcala) will need to pass the Verificacion voluntarily. If you decide against it, you will not be allowed on the road from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. You will also not be able to drive from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on one of the five days from Monday through Friday, depending on the last digit of the license plate. Lastly you are prohibited from operating on Saturdays.
There you go, happy driving!
Why do you care? Traffic police in Mexico is always looking for excuses, avoid getting impounded!
Who: Any car owner or anyone about to purchase a vehicle
When: Before you purchase your car, check if the Verificacion has been passed & the Tenencia is is order
Additional Info: Check all Verificentros here