Beginning Monday, January 13, 2025, Medellín will reactivate its "Pico y Placa" vehicle restriction policy. This measure, aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, applies to Medellín and the surrounding metropolitan area. The restrictions will follow the same schedule and rules as in the latter half of 2024.

Key Details of the 2025 Measure

• Schedule: Monday to Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Applicability:
• For private vehicles, restrictions are based on the last digit of the license plate.
• For motorcycles, restrictions are determined by the first digit of the plate. Only 2- and 4-stroke motorcycles are affected.
• Exemptions: Vehicles powered by cleaner technologies, such as electric, hybrid, and natural gas vehicles, are exempt, provided their transit license is up to date.

Fines and Enforcement

Drivers violating the "Pico y Placa" restrictions will face a fine equivalent to 15 daily minimum wages (SMLDV), approximately $711,750 COP for 2024. Additional costs may arise if the vehicle is impounded, including towing and storage fees.

Rotation from January 13, 2025

• Monday Plates ending in 0 and 2.
• Tuesday: Plates ending in 6 and 9.
• Wednesday: Plates ending in 3 and 7.
• Thursday: Plates ending in 4 and 8.
• Friday: Plates ending in 1 and 5.

Example: If your license plate ends in 0, you are not allowed to drive your vehicle in Medellín on Mondays between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Important Notes

1. There will be no educational grace period; enforcement begins immediately.
2. The policy does not apply on weekends or public holidays.
3. Taxis follow a biweekly rotation schedule that has been in place since 2016.

Exemptions for Clean Technology Vehicles

Electric, hybrid, and natural gas-powered vehicles are exempt from the "Pico y Placa" restrictions. The exemption is automatically verified through the National Traffic Registry (RUNT), requiring no additional paperwork from drivers. This system ensures faster processing and avoids unnecessary delays for eligible vehicles.

Upcoming Updates

In February 2025, the Medellín municipality will announce updated rotation rules for the "Pico y Placa" restrictions, which will be effective for the first semester of the year.

A digital driver's license from Colombia is considered equivalent to a physical driver's license. Colombian traffic officers must accept your digital license in place of a physical one.

Requirements to obtain a digital driver's license

• You have a physical driver's license.
• You have a digital cédula (ID-card).

Steps to obtain a digital driver's license

1. Enter the page https://carpetaciudadana.and.gov.co/ and log in or register first (if applicable).
2. Enter the "Mis Categorías“ section.
3. Click on the option “Licencia de Conducción Digital".
4. Download the digital driver's license.

Costs

The digital driver's license is free to obtain.