Charges (if ULEZ standards NOT met) (Cars and motorcycles are not subject to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).)
What vehicles are allowed in the Low Emission Zone?
Ultra Low Emission Zone
- Cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes) and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes)
- Residents of the Congestion Charge area (the 100% discount of the daily ULEZ charge has ended)
How do I know if I have to pay ULEZ charge?
You may need to pay the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and/or the Low Emission Zone charges to drive in London. Your number plate (Vehicle Registration Mark) will tell us which charges you need to pay.
What age cars are exempt from ULEZ?
40 years ago
Classic cars may be exempt from the ULEZ if they fall into the historical vehicle tax class. This generally applies to any vehicle built more than 40 years ago. Be sure to check for your vehicle to see if this exemption applies to you. You may also have to register your vehicle in order to make sure it is not charged.
Does my car qualify for ULEZ?
Cars that are free to drive in the ULEZ must be Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) compliant. That means low emission and zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars will not be charged. Hybrid cars aren’t automatically exempt, as some models made before 2015 may not be ULEZ compliant.
How do I know if I’ve driven through low emission zone?
Other than ULEZ signage throughout the chargeable area, there are no toll booths or barriers. The only way you will know if you have driven through the ULEZ area without paying is when the official letter comes through your letterbox!
Do I need to pay congestion charge and ULEZ today?
You can pay in advance, on the day of travel or by midnight of the third day after travel. You need to pay a daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 07:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. No charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day bank holiday (inclusive).
How do I check if I entered the congestion charge zone?
How do I know if I’ve entered the congestion charge zone? The congestion charge zone is signposted as you enter with a white ‘C’ in a red circle. This will be displayed on signposts and on road markings.
What cars will be exempt from ULEZ in 2022?
Is my car ULEZ compliant?
- Vehicles that meet Euro 6 – introduced in September 2015 for cars and September 2016 for vans – are exempt, as are some models that met the standard earlier.
- Almost every petrol car registered from 2005 and some registered between 2001 and 2005.
- Petrol cars registered after 2006.
Will my car be affected by ULEZ in 2023?
It was expanded in October 2021 to cover the areas within the North and South Circular roads. But from 2023 it looks set to expand to cover all of Greater London. This means that from that date onwards, all vehicles driving within the ULEZ will need to meet emissions standards or face a daily charge.
How can I avoid paying ULEZ?
To make sure you never need pay, the easiest way is to simply ensure that your car meets what’s called ‘Euro Emissions Standards’. For petrol cars, they must be of Euro 4 standard or higher, for diesel cars it’s Euro 6 or higher. Handily, all petrol cars on cinch are compliant with the ULEZ restrictions.
What cars are not exempt from ULEZ?
Heavy vehicles including lorries, buses, coaches and specialist vehicles will need to meet Euro 6 emissions standards to avoid paying the ULEZ charge. This includes heavy-duty diesel engines produced since December 2012.
What reg cars are ULEZ compliant?
ULEZ-compliant petrol cars
- To be ULEZ-compliant, petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards.
- This includes virtually every petrol car registered since January 2006.
- Cars that meet more recent Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards are also exempt from the charge.
What petrol cars meet ULEZ standards?
ULEZ compliant petrol cars for sale
Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards to be ULEZ compliant. Most, if not all, petrol cars registered since January 2006 meet these standards. Petrol cars that meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards are also exempt from paying charges.
Do Low Emissions pay Congestion Charge?
Since 25 October 2021, only zero-emission vehicles – such as EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles – have been exempt from the Congestion Charge. From December 2025, however, even drivers of zero-emission cars will be required to pay.
What are the rules for low emission zone?
LEZs do not actually forbid higher-emission vehicles from entering, but daily charges to enter the zone are enforced – and failure to paymay result in heavy financial penalties. To find out if your vehicle makes you liable for a charge, read our daily charges section below.
Are petrol cars affected by low emission zone?
Is my car exempt from ULEZ? Drivers of older, more polluting petrol and diesel cars are affected. Drivers of petrol cars with engines that are compliant with Euro 4 emissions regulations, which were introduced in 2006, will escape the ULEZ charge.
How do I know if my car is exempt from Congestion Charge?
If you already have an account, sign in to Pay to drive in London to check if a discount or exemption applies to your vehicle – and what charges you would need to pay.
This tool checks for:
- Congestion Charge.
- Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
- Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
- Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV Safety Permit.
What happens if you accidentally go into the congestion zone?
They don’t care if you strayed in, because once the the zone, you’ll have to pay and knowing that, you may as well drive around in it where you want.
How do I know if my diesel is Euro 6?
Euro standards for cars
You can find out whether your car meets Euro 6 standards, by entering its details into the emissions look-up tool on the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) website or by contacting the manufacturer.
Do people who live in the ULEZ have to pay?
Yes, ULEZ charges apply 24/7, every day of the year, excluding Christmas Day.