Key takeaways
- The daily ULEZ charge is £12.50, and it applies 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day.
- If you don’t pay, you’ll get a £180 penalty charge notice, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
- Failing to pay can result in a £180 penalty, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
- Petrol cars generally need to meet Euro 4 and diesel cars Euro 6 to be compliant.
- Use a ULEZ Checker tool to see if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is an initiative that was set up in 2019 to reduce air pollution in London. If your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ emission standard and is not exempt, you’ll need to pay £12.50 per day to drive within London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The charge applies 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day.
Still wondering about the ULEZ requirements, how to pay it, and the emission standard for each vehicle? Check out this guide before you drive in London!
What is ULEZ?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone is a zone that operates across all London boroughs and basically restricts older vehicles with higher emissions from entering. With these vehicles restricted, the air is cleaner, and emissions have been reduced significantly over the years.
When a vehicle is non-compliant with the ULEZ standards, they have to pay a fee. In short, if your car isn’t clean enough, you’ll need to pay to drive within the zone.
Do I Have to Pay the ULEZ Charge?
Yes, only if your vehicle does not meet the required emissions standards and you drive within the ULEZ. Vehicles that meet the standards or qualify for an exemption or discount do not have to pay the standard daily charge.
ULEZ Emission Standards by Vehicle Type
The emissions standard you need to meet depends on the type of vehicle and, for cars and vans, whether it uses a petrol or diesel engine.
- Petrol cars: Euro 4 or higher
- Diesel cars: Euro 6 or higher
- Motorcycles and mopeds: Euro 3 or higher
A vehicle’s registration date can give you a rough indication of whether it may meet the required standard, but it is better to check the vehicle itself because the applicable emissions standard can vary.
Vans Up to 3.5 Tonnes
Vans up to 3.5 tonnes are subject to the same ULEZ emission standards as cars. Petrol vans need to meet Euro 4, while diesel vans need to meet Euro 6 to avoid the ULEZ charge.
Who is Exempt or Discounted?
Some vehicles and drivers can qualify for an exemption, temporary grace period, or discount from the ULEZ charge. These include:
- Vehicles registered in the disabled or disabled passenger vehicle tax class
- Certain NHS patients who qualify for reimbursement
- London-licensed taxis
- Certain community transport minibuses
- Other specific vehicle types and circumstances recognised by TfL
How to Check if Your Vehicle is ULEZ Compliant
Sadly, not all people know if their vehicle is ULEZ compliant. However, you do not need to worry, as you can use the Smart Car Check ULEZ check service and get it done within seconds.
Step 1: Enter the Registration Number
Click the form and then enter the registration number of your vehicle. You can find it on your vehicle’s number plate or registration document (V5C).
Step 2: Submit the Details
Once the details are entered, click the button to submit the form.
How Much is the ULEZ Charge?
The standard ULEZ charge is £12.50 per day for a non-compliant vehicle. The amount you can pay depends on how many days you drive in the zone.
£12.50 × 7 days = £87.50
The charge applies to each day you drive within the zone, so the total cost depends on how often you use the vehicle in the ULEZ.
Penalty Charge Notice: £180
You can receive a £180 penalty charge notice (PCN) if you drive a non-compliant vehicle in the ULEZ without paying the required charge. The penalty can be reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days.
Does the ULEZ Charge Apply Twice If I Drive Across Midnight?
Yes, you will have to pay for the ULEZ charge twice if your journey crosses midnight. ULEZ charging days run from midnight to midnight. If you enter the zone before midnight and continue driving after midnight, you are driving during two separate charging days, so a charge can apply for each day.
Example:
If you enter a ULEZ zone at 23:45 on Monday and exit at 00:15 on Tuesday, you must pay two charges- two £12.50 daily charges if your vehicle doesn’t meet ULEZ standards—because your journey spans two charging days (Monday 00:00–23:59 and Tuesday 00:00–23:59).
Do Parked, Foreign-Registered or Larger Vehicles Pay?
Parked Vehicles
You do not pay the ULEZ charge simply because your vehicle is parked inside the zone. The charge applies when a vehicle is driven on public roads within the ULEZ and does not meet the required emissions standards. For example, if a non-compliant car is parked on a private driveway inside the zone and is not driven, the ULEZ charge does not apply for that day.
Foreign-Registered Vehicles
Foreign-registered vehicles are also subject to ULEZ requirements when they are driven within the zone. The vehicle must meet the applicable emissions standards or the relevant daily charge must be paid. The same basic ULEZ rules therefore apply whether the vehicle is registered in the UK or abroad.
Vehicles Over 3.5 Tonnes or 5 Tonnes
Heavier vehicles can fall under London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rather than the ULEZ. The LEZ is specifically designed for larger and heavier vehicles, and this includes certain vans and minibuses, coaches, and specialist heavy-duty vehicles.
The applicable scheme depends on the vehicle’s type, weight, and use. If you operate a larger commercial vehicle in London, check the LEZ requirements separately rather than assuming the standard £12.50 ULEZ charge applies.
Do I Still Pay the Congestion Charge and LEZ?
Yes. The ULEZ, Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) are separate road-user charging schemes, so you may need to pay more than one charge depending on your vehicle, where you drive and when you travel.
The LEZ applies mainly to heavier vehicles such as larger vans, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles. The Congestion Charge is separate and applies to eligible vehicles driven in central London’s Congestion Charge zone during its charging hours.
If you drive through more than one charging zone, check which charges apply to your vehicle before travelling.
How and When Can I Pay the ULEZ Charge?
If your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ emissions standards, you need to pay the daily charge for each charging day you drive within the zone. You can pay after your journey or in advance, with several payment options available through TfL.
When to Pay
You must pay the ULEZ charge by midnight on the third day after the journey. You can also pay up to 90 days in advance if you know when you will be driving in the zone. For example, if you drive in the ULEZ on Monday, you have until midnight on Thursday to pay the charge.
Payment Methods
Always use TfL’s official payment services when paying a road-user charge. You can pay the ULEZ charge. You can pay the ULEZ charge through several TfL payment methods:
- Online: Use TfL’s official Pay to Drive in London service.
- Pay to Drive in London app: The official TfL app lets you pay ULEZ, LEZ and Congestion Charge fees and manage your vehicles and payments.
- London Road User Charging account: Create an account to manage your vehicles, payments and charging activity.
- Phone: You can pay by calling 0343 222 2222. International callers can use +44 343 222 2222.
Auto Pay
If you regularly drive in London, Auto Pay can automatically record the charging days for your registered vehicles and collect the applicable ULEZ and LEZ charges. You can manage Auto Pay through your London Road User Charging account. TfL also allows Auto Pay to be set up through the Pay to Drive in London app.
Pay the ULEZ Charge On Time
The ULEZ charge is £12.50 per day if your vehicle does not meet the required emissions standards and no exemption or discount applies. The charge is based on each charging day you drive within the zone, so crossing midnight can result in two daily charges.
Before driving in London, check whether your vehicle meets the ULEZ requirements and make sure you pay by the deadline if a charge applies. You can also set up Auto Pay if you regularly drive within London’s charging zones.
FAQs on How Much is the ULEZ Charge
How much is the ULEZ charge per day?
The ULEZ charge is £12.50 per day for cars, motorcycles, vans and other eligible vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards. You only pay once per charging day, regardless of how many times you drive within the zone that day.
How long do I have to pay the ULEZ charge?
You must pay by midnight on the third day after you travel in the ULEZ. You can also pay up to 90 days in advance if you know when you will be driving in the zone.
What happens if I don't pay the ULEZ charge?
If you drive a non-compliant vehicle in the ULEZ and do not pay the required charge, you can receive a £180 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). This is reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days.
Do I have to pay ULEZ if my car is parked?
No. You do not have to pay the ULEZ charge if your vehicle remains parked and is not driven within the zone that day. The charge applies when a non-compliant vehicle is driven within the ULEZ.
Do I pay the ULEZ charge twice if I cross midnight?
You may need to. ULEZ charging days run from midnight to midnight, so driving before midnight and after midnight means you have travelled during two separate charging days. A £12.50 charge can therefore apply to each day.
Are vans subject to the ULEZ charge?
Yes. Vans up to 3.5 tonnes can be subject to the ULEZ charge if they do not meet the required emissions standards. Heavier vehicles may instead fall under London’s separate Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rules.
