Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques transmitting a recommended bit rate query. A method that may be performed by a user equipment (UE) generally includes participating in a voice call with a base station using a channel and a bit rate for the voice call, measuring one or more channel quality metrics for the channel during the voice call, determining whether to transmit a query message to the base station to request a change in the bit rate based, at least in part, on the measured one or more channel quality metrics, at least one of a handover indication received from the base station or a change mode request received from the base station, and a prohibit timer, and taking one or more actions based on the determination.