The big question for many drivers this weekend is whether There is an environmental emergency today, March 28, 2026 And, consequently, if any extraordinary restrictions are activated in the Valley of Mexico. Between getaway plans, family visits, and errands, it's wise to be very clear on how the vehicle control program works to avoid an unexpected fine.
Is there an environmental emergency today, March 28, 2026?
According to the most recent reports, the Air quality in Mexico City and the State of Mexico is poormainly due to the presence of fine particles PM10 and PM2.5, common in the so-called ozone seasonThese levels are sufficient to raise the risk of additional measures, but have not reached the threshold that would require formally declaring a contingency.
In this context, the Megalopolis Environmental Commission (CAMe) and the Ministry of the Environment (Sedema) have confirmed that Phase 1 of the environmental contingency plan is not activated. Nor any other extraordinary protocol for Saturday, March 28. The traffic scheme therefore remains within the normal parameters of the weekend, without any increase in the number of restricted license plates.
The absence of contingency implies that There will be no double "Hoy No Circula" (No Driving Today) program.This mechanism is only activated when ozone or particulate matter levels exceed certain established limits, and its objective is to more aggressively reduce traffic volume. Since this scenario has not materialized, drivers are following the usual Saturday rules, although authorities recommend Stay tuned for official announcements in case the weather worsens throughout the day.
Even without reaching a state of emergency, health recommendations insist that vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly, or those with respiratory problems, Limit strenuous outdoor physical activity And try to avoid being outdoors during peak air quality hours. The goal is to reduce the health effects of these pollutants, beyond simply implementing traffic restrictions.
How does the "Hoy No Circula" program work on Saturday, March 28th?
El Saturday No Driving Today It is the weekend extension of the vehicle enforcement program that operates Monday through Friday. Its purpose is reduce polluting emissions removing the oldest or most polluting cars from the streets, although not all of them stay home on the same Saturday: the schedule is organized by even and odd weeks.
This March 28, 2026 corresponds to the fourth Saturday of the month, which in the official scheme is considered a "even week"Under this configuration, the program stipulates that certain holograms and license plate endings must suspend circulation during a specific time period. This combination of parameters—week of the month, hologram, and last digit of the license plate—defines who can and cannot drive.
The application schedule remains unchanged from other Saturdays: The restrictions are in effect from 5:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m.Outside of that section, at night and in the early morning, vehicle traffic is not restricted by the program, unless a contingency is declared later or an extraordinary provision is published, something that has not happened at the moment.
It's worth remembering that, although many drivers associate it only with the capital, the Saturday scheme applies to both Mexico City as well as in various municipalities of the State of MexicoIn fact, if your route crosses any of these areas, the program also affects you throughout the entire journey, not just the part located within Mexico City.
Which cars are not allowed to circulate today, Saturday, March 28th?
With the program running in normal mode and without contingency, the restrictions of this Saturday, March 28 They follow the established pattern for the fourth Saturday of the month. The vehicles that must remain parked between 5:00 a.m. and 22:00 p.m. are, in general, the following:
- All vehicles with hologram 2Regardless of the last digit of their license plate, these cars are not allowed to circulate on Saturdays in the areas where the program applies.
- Vehicles with hologram 1 whose license plate ends in an even number: 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8. This combination of hologram and license plate ending corresponds to a day off on a Saturday classified as an even week.
- Cars with foreign license plates that do not have a local verification hologram, which are equivalent to vehicles with hologram 2.
- Vehicles operating with temporary vehicle permits or without permanent plates, which are also considered within the group with greater restrictions.
In practice, this means that A significant portion of the private vehicle fleet is unable to circulate for much of the day. The idea is that the most polluting cars, or those with the least emissions control, are kept off the roads during peak traffic times, which helps to contain pollution spikes in the atmosphere.
On the contrary, Cars with hologram 0 and 00 retain permission to circulate Driving will proceed normally this Saturday, just as it does during the week, unless an environmental emergency is declared that expands the number of restrictions. These vehicles, which are generally more efficient or subject to stricter inspections, are exempt from the Saturday driving restrictions.
In which areas does the Hoy No Circula program apply?
The scope of the program is not limited to the country's capital. The Saturday "Hoy No Circula" program covers all 16 boroughs of Mexico City. and extends to a large part of the conurbation of the State of Mexico, forming a metropolitan area where it is mandatory to respect the restrictions if you want to avoid penalties.
In the case of the State of Mexico, the program reaches dozens of municipalities in the Valley of Mexico and metropolitan areas like Toluca or Tianguistenco, as well as towns with strong daily ties to Mexico City. Municipalities like Atizapán de Zaragoza, Coacalco, Cuautitlán, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Chalco, Chimalhuacán, Ecatepec, Naucalpan, Nezahualcóyotl, Tlalnepantla, Tultitlán or Valle de Chalco They are included in the list where vehicular traffic is controlled on Saturdays.
For many drivers who live in a neighboring state or who are just passing through the region, a key fact is that The restriction applies even if the journey is exclusively for transit.In other words, if you cross any of these areas during the program's hours and your car is subject to the rest period, you could be penalized even if your origin and destination are outside the Valley of Mexico.
Therefore, it is recommended to check in advance if the municipality you will be driving through is included in the program and, if so, verify that your vehicle's hologram and license plate number allow you to pass without issue. A simple adjustment to your schedule or route can prevent fines and complications with the authorities.
What happens with the Double No Driving Day and Phase 1 of the contingency plan?
The call Double No Circulation Today It is a special scheme that is activated only when the CAMe decrees a Environmental contingency phaseThis is usually due to very high levels of ozone or particulate matter. In these cases, the number of restricted vehicles increases significantly, also affecting cars that would normally be allowed to circulate.
To this Saturday, March 28, 2026, no contingency has been declaredTherefore, the Double No Driving Day program remains deactivated. Although recent reports warned of conditions conducive to activating Phase 1 due to poor air quality, Concentrations of pollutants have remained below the limits which would force a tightening of measures.
Had a state of emergency been declared, the restrictions would have been considerably broader. In addition to the vehicles with hologram 2 and hologram 1 with even endingThe circulation of certain cars would also have been banned. hologram 0 and 00 linked to specific sticker colors and license plate numbers, as well as vehicles with provisional permits, without plates, demonstration vehicles, with tourist passes or with foreign registration.
In those special circumstances, even the taxis with holograms 00, 0, 1 and 2 Their operations may be limited to specific time periods, precisely to reduce emissions as much as possible during peak pollutant concentrations. None of this applies today, but It's good to know about it in order to be prepared. if air quality worsens in the coming days.
Vehicles exempt from the Saturday No Driving Day
Despite the restrictions, the program includes a series of Exemptions for vehicles considered less polluting or that provide essential servicesThese exceptions allow certain units to continue operating without being affected by the rest schedule, even on days of high mobility demand such as weekends.
Among the main exempt vehicles are the electric, hybrid, or natural gas-powered carsThese cars are considered cleaner alternatives to traditional combustion engine vehicles. They are not subject to the usual driving restrictions of the "Hoy No Circula" program, either on weekdays or Saturdays, and can therefore circulate freely during the program's hours.
Also excluded from the restrictions are vehicles with license plates for people with disabilities, as well as the urban public transport, included buses, minibuses and funeral service unitsThe logic is to guarantee the mobility of the population that depends on public transport and to ensure the continuity of basic services, regardless of the environmental situation of the day.
Similarly, the following are considered exempt: Vehicles intended for public safety, civil protection and emergency servicesThese vehicles and special units must be able to respond to incidents at any time. They are authorized to operate even if the rest of the vehicle fleet is limited by the regular schedule or a potential emergency.
Fines and penalties for not respecting the program
Ignoring the Saturday "Hoy No Circula" rules can be costly. Authorities are considering significant economic sanctions for those driving on restricted days or times, with the aim of discouraging drivers from violating the rule and reinforcing the program's effect on air quality.
In Mexico City, the fine for violating the program ranges between 20 and 30 times the Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA), which is equivalent, in approximate figures, to between about two thousand and close to three thousand pesosThese amounts may vary slightly with the annual updates of the UMA, but they remain within that range as a reference value.
In addition to this financial penalty, there is the possibility that the vehicle is to be impoundedThis comes with the additional costs involved: transportation, accommodation, and potential surcharges if the car isn't retrieved immediately. Furthermore, the driver will need to spend time completing paperwork and obtaining clarifications from the relevant authorities before recovering their vehicle.
In the State of Mexico, the scheme and schedules are equivalent in the areas where the "Hoy No Circula" (No Driving Today) program is in effect, and the fines can also be high. Beyond the financial impact, the authorities insist on the collective impact of complianceEvery car that stays at home helps reduce total emissions and contributes to protecting the health of millions of people who live and work in the region.
Saturday, March 28, 2026, therefore presents no declared environmental emergency, but with a level of pollution that requires continued vigilance. Meanwhile, Saturday's "Hoy No Circula" program operates normally. And restricting circulation to vehicles with hologram 2, those with hologram 1 with even-numbered license plates, as well as foreign vehicles and units with provisional permits, the authorities recommend planning trips well, checking hologram and license plate before leaving and closely following official reports on air quality, since any change in atmospheric conditions could translate into new measures throughout the season.
