You're running late. It’s 5:55 AM in Bogotá, the sky is that specific shade of Andean grey, and you’re staring at your license plate. Does it end in a 1? Or maybe a 7? Honestly, if you live in this city, the pico y placa Bogotá hoy rules are probably the single biggest source of morning anxiety, right next to whether the TransMilenio is actually running on time.
Traffic in Bogotá isn't just a "thing." It's a living, breathing monster that eats about 132 hours of your life every year. That’s why the Mayor's office—the Alcaldía—keeps tweaking the rules. They aren't trying to annoy you, even if it feels that way when you're stuck on the Autopista Norte. They’re trying to keep the city from reaching a literal standstill. But let’s be real: keeping track of which numbers can circulate on which days feels like trying to solve a calculus problem before your first tinto.
The current math of Bogotá's streets
Right now, the system is based on a specific split that changed back in early 2023 and has largely stuck around because, well, it kind of works. Sort of.
On even-numbered days (the 2nd, 4th, 10th, 22nd, etc.), cars with plates ending in 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0 are allowed to be out and about.
On odd-numbered days (the 1st, 3rd, 15th, 27th, etc.), it's the turn for plates ending in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
It sounds simple until you realize that months have 31 days. When the 31st rolls around, and then the 1st happens the next day, the same group of people gets stuck two days in a row. It’s frustrating. It’s Bogotá.
The restriction kicks in at 6:00 AM and lasts until 9:00 PM.
That is fifteen hours. You basically can't use your car for the entire daylight portion of your existence unless you have a permit or a very specific type of vehicle. If you're caught? You’re looking at a fine of approximately 650,000 pesos, plus the cost of the tow truck (patios), which is basically a weekend trip to Cartagena down the drain.
Why the "Pico y Placa Solidario" is a literal lifesaver
Look, if you absolutely must drive, there is a legal "cheat code." It’s called the Pico y Placa Solidario.
Basically, you pay the city for the right to ignore the restriction. You can buy it for a day, a month, or six months. It’s not cheap, but if your job depends on your car, it’s cheaper than the fines. The prices aren't fixed, though. The Secretary of Mobility uses a formula that looks at your car’s price, its environmental impact (CO2 emissions), and where it’s registered.
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If you drive a huge, older SUV that guzzles gas, you’re going to pay a "pollution tax" on top of the base rate. If you have a tiny hatchback, it’s more reasonable.
How to actually get it done
Don't trust third-party websites. Seriously. Go straight to the official Secretaría de Movilidad portal. You’ll need to do a "social sensitivity" module—which is basically a short video and quiz about being a good citizen—and then pay via PSE. Once the payment clears, your plate goes into a database that the transit cameras (the ones nicknamed "cámaras salvavidas") recognize.
Exceptions that still exist (for now)
Not everyone has to play this game. If you've gone electric or hybrid, you're winning.
- Electric vehicles: 100% exempt. Drive whenever you want.
- Hybrids: Also exempt. This is why you see so many Toyota Corollas and Suzuki Swifts with hybrid badges these days; it's the ultimate Bogotá hack.
- School buses and tourism vans: They operate under different rules.
- Diplomatic vehicles: Obviously.
- Car pooling: This used to be a free way out—if you had three people in the car, you were exempt. The city ended this. Don't try it. You will get a ticket. The only way to be exempt for free now is basically to be a doctor on call or have a disability permit properly registered with the city.
The chaos of holiday weekends and the "Pico y Placa Regional"
This is where people usually mess up. When you’re coming back into Bogotá on a Monday holiday (Puente), the rules change entirely.
Between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, only cars with even plates can enter the city limits.
From 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, only odd plates can enter.
If you show up at the Soacha border or the Séptima entrance at 3:00 PM with an odd plate, the police will literally make you park on the side of the road and wait for an hour. It’s a mess. Plan your return for early morning or late at night. Honestly, late at night is better because the traffic at the Girardot-Bogotá corridor is legendary for all the wrong reasons.
Real talk: Does it actually help the traffic?
Experts like Darío Hidalgo have been vocal about this for years. While pico y placa reduces the number of cars by about 50% on any given day, it doesn't solve the underlying issue: we have too many cars and not enough road space.
In fact, some studies suggest that these restrictions actually encourage people to buy a second car—usually an older, cheaper, and more polluting one—just so they have a plate that works on the "off" days. This is the "Perverse Incentive" of urban planning. If you're thinking about doing this, remember that insurance (SOAT) and the técnico-mecánica for two cars might end up costing more than just paying the Solidario for one car.
Actionable steps for your commute
Stop guessing.
- Check the calendar: Before you go to bed, verify if tomorrow is an even or odd day. Don't rely on your memory; the 31st-to-1st transition ruins everyone's week.
- Verify your Solidario status: If you paid for the day, check the email confirmation. Sometimes the system lags, and you don't want to be arguing with a transit cop on the Calle 80 at 7:00 AM.
- Waze is your best friend: Set your license plate number in the Waze settings. The app will actually alert you if you're about to drive into a restricted zone or if your plate isn't allowed that day.
- Consider the SITP/TransMilenio: It’s not perfect, but on your restricted days, using the "Colonia" or "TuLlave" card is significantly cheaper than a fine. Plus, with the new electric bus fleet, the air isn't as bad as it used to be.
- Calculate the trade-off: If you find yourself paying for an Uber or Didi twice a day, three times a week, just pay the monthly Pico y Placa Solidario. It averages out to be more cost-effective and saves you the stress of waiting for a ride in the rain.
Managing your mobility in Bogotá requires a strategy, not just luck. If you're driving a non-exempt vehicle, your best bet is to stay off the roads during the 15-hour window or ensure your "contribution" to the city is paid up and registered in the system. Otherwise, the "cámaras salvavidas" will find you, and they don't accept excuses about "not knowing it was an odd day."