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Pico y Placa in Colombia 2026 — Driving Restrictions by City

Pico y placa is Colombia's traffic restriction system that bans certain vehicles from the road during peak hours based on the last digit of their license plate. If you drive in Colombia, you need to check this every morning or risk a 500,000 COP fine.

What Is Pico y Placa

The system was introduced in Bogota in 1998 to reduce traffic congestion. Most major Colombian cities now have their own version. The rules differ by city — Bogota is the most restrictive with all-day bans, while Medellin only restricts during peak hours.

The restriction applies to private vehicles. Public transit, taxis, emergency vehicles, and diplomatic vehicles are exempt.

Bogota — Most Restrictive

Bogota has the strictest pico y placa in Colombia. Vehicles are restricted for the entire day, not just peak hours.

  • Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (full day restriction)
  • Days: Monday through Friday
  • Rotation: Two plate digits restricted per day, rotating every semester
  • Example schedule: Monday (plates ending 0, 1), Tuesday (2, 3), Wednesday (4, 5), Thursday (6, 7), Friday (8, 9)

Bogota's pico y placa means you effectively cannot use your car one full weekday per week. Many Bogota families own two cars with different plate endings to get around this — or they rely on TransMilenio, the city's bus rapid transit system.

Medellin — Peak Hours Only

Medellin's pico y placa is less restrictive than Bogota's, applying only during morning and evening rush hours.

  • Morning: 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
  • Evening: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Days: Monday through Friday
  • Rotation: Two plate digits restricted per day

Outside peak hours, you can drive freely regardless of your plate number. The restriction is manageable — most expats simply adjust their schedule to avoid driving during those windows.

Cali

Cali has its own pico y placa schedule, typically similar to Medellin with peak-hour restrictions.

  • Morning: 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
  • Evening: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Days: Monday through Friday
  • Rotation: Two plate digits restricted per day, schedule set by the city

Other cities with pico y placa include Bucaramanga and Barranquilla, though enforcement is lighter outside the three major cities.

Fines for Violating Pico y Placa

  • First offense: Approximately 500,000 COP (~$139 USD)
  • Vehicle immobilization: Your car may be towed and held until the fine is paid, adding towing and storage fees
  • Repeat offenses: Same fine amount but accumulation of comparendos (citations) can affect your ability to renew vehicle registration

Transit police (policia de transito) actively enforce pico y placa, especially in Bogota. Camera enforcement is also used on major corridors. The fine is not negotiable at the point of infraction.

How to Check Daily

  • Waze: The Waze app shows pico y placa alerts for your registered plate number. Set up your vehicle in the app settings and it will warn you automatically.
  • City websites: Bogota (bogota.gov.co), Medellin (medellin.gov.co), and Cali publish current schedules
  • Google: Search "pico y placa hoy [city name]" for today's restricted digits
  • Radio: Local radio stations announce the day's restrictions during morning broadcasts
  • Apps: Several Colombian apps (Pico y Placa Colombia, AutoPico) track restrictions across all cities and send daily notifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pico y placa apply to foreign-plated cars?
If you are driving a Colombian-registered vehicle, yes. Foreign-plated vehicles (such as cars driven across the border) are generally exempt, but this varies by city and enforcement can be inconsistent. Check with local transit authorities if you are driving a foreign-plated car.
Does pico y placa apply to motorcycles?
In Bogota, motorcycles are exempt from pico y placa. In Medellin and Cali, motorcycles have their own pico y placa schedule, typically restricting riding during peak morning and evening hours based on the last digit of the plate.
What happens if I get caught?
A transit police officer will stop you and issue a comparendo (traffic citation). The fine is approximately 500,000 COP ($139 USD) and you may also be subject to vehicle immobilization, meaning your car is towed and held until you pay the fine. Fines increase if not paid promptly.
Are taxis and rideshare exempt?
Yellow taxis are exempt from pico y placa because they operate under public service licenses. Rideshare vehicles (Uber, InDrive) are NOT exempt because they are registered as private vehicles. Rideshare drivers must observe pico y placa restrictions.
Does pico y placa apply on weekends?
No. Pico y placa applies Monday through Friday only. Weekends and national holidays are unrestricted. Some cities also lift restrictions during vacation periods (semana de receso) but this varies year to year.