Quito 'Pico y placa' Schedule for Friday, June 12, Avoid Fines

Quito's 'Pico y placa' traffic restriction continues to be a key tool for managing congestion in the capital. This measure, enforced Monday through Friday across the Metropolitan District, restricts vehicle circulation based on the final digit of a license plate, targeting peak hours to improve traffic flow on the city's most congested routes.

The municipal government upholds this policy as part of its urban mobility strategy, aiming to reduce vehicle load, shorten travel times, and enhance circulation along major corridors. The restriction is lifted on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, allowing unrestricted travel on those days.

The 'Pico y placa' system operates during two daily windows: from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For example, on Fridays, vehicles with license plates ending in 9 or 0 are prohibited from circulating. This staggered approach distributes traffic load throughout the week.

Exemptions are available for individuals with disabilities and the elderly, who are permanently excused from the restriction and can drive at any time without additional procedures. The Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) conducts street-level checks, issuing fines for non-compliance. Penalties escalate from 15% of the unified basic salary ($69) for a first offense, to 25% ($115) for a second, and 50% ($230) for a third. Vehicles left in impound lots for over three years face declaration of abandonment and subsequent scrapping.