ULEZ Check

Check your vehicle meets London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone standards

What is ULEZ?

Introduced in April 2019, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was brought in to combat air pollution and improve air quality in and around central London. It currently covers the same area as the London congestion charge, but unlike the congestion charge, it is operational all day, everyday except Christmas (25 December).

ULEZ 2021, what’s changing?

ULEZ 2021 expansion map — Cars GT

To improve air quality for millions more Londoners, the Ultra Low Emission Zone will be expanding from 25 October 2021 to create a single, larger zone up to the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). The North and South Circular Roads themselves will not be included in the expanded zone.

Newer vehicles will generally not be affected as they tend to meet emissions standards. However, owners of older vehicles manufactured before 2006 (petrol) and 2017 (diesel) who commute or live within the newly inclusive area could find they’ve drawn the short straw as they’re levied with the daily charge every time they drive in the area.

When does the ULEZ charge apply?

The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year (except Christmas Day).

The daily ULEZ charge runs from midnight to midnight and applies to all vehicles types (excluding black cabs) that do not meet the ULEZ standards when driving within the ULEZ zone. The charge applies no matter how short the journey — ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras track and record vehicles entering the ULEZ zone.

If your vehicle does not meet ULEZ standards and you drive within the ULEZ area across two days, for example before midnight and after midnight, you’ll have to pay two daily charges.

How much is the ULEZ daily charge?

The daily charge is –

  • £12.50 for cars, motorcycles, vans, specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes), and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes)
  • £100 for lorries, buses, coaches and other heavier vehicles

You can pay the ULEZ charge on the Transport for London website by midnight on the third day following the journey or up to 90 days in advance.

Pay ULEZ charge

For more information and how to prepare, see ULEZ expansion.

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