The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is an area in London where you must pay a charge to drive. The charge only applies if you drive an older polluting car, van, motorbike or moped.
From August 2023, the ULEZ expanded to cover nearly the whole of London.
How can I check if my car is ULEZ compliant?
You need to pay the charge if you have either:
- a petrol car that does not meet Euro 4 standards (usually* registered after 2005)
- a diesel car that does not meet Euro 6 standards (usually* registered after September 2015)
*Do check if you have a older car as it may be compliant.
The charge applies to UK and non-UK registered cars.
Check to see if your car is compliant and if you need to pay the ULEZ charge
UK registered cars
TfL use the DVLA database to check if your vehicle is compliant. If your vehicle is not compliant and you don’t pay, you will receive a fine (PCN).
If your car is compliant you do not have to do anything. You are free to drive in the ULEZ. However, if you drive further into central London you may need to pay the Congestion Charge.
If your car is non-compliant, you do not need to register with TfL. You just need to ensure you pay the charge if you drive in the ULEZ.
Cars registered outside the UK
TfL advise that all drivers of a non-UK registered cars register their car with EPC PLC before entering the ULEZ, even if your car is ULEZ compliant.
Registration can take up to 10 days.
If you don’t register, you could be fined for non-payment of the separate LEZ (a larger zone for lorries and coaches). Fines for the LEZ are £500-£2,000 per day! EPC PLC have chased fines for non-payment.
If you do not want to register. Or, if you drive a car that does not meet the ULEZ standards, park outside the ULEZ and use public transport.
How much is the ULEZ charge?
£12.50 per day. You can drive in and out of the ULEZ zone multiple times per day but you only pay once.
What hours does the ULEZ charge apply?
The ULEZ charge is payable every day from midnight to midnight, except 25 December.
How to pay the ULEZ charge?
You have until midnight, three days after your visit, to London to pay the ULEZ Charge.
Pay online
Pay online via the official TfL website. Only use the official TfL website to ensure you pay the correct amount:
This is the official payment website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-to-drive-in-london
Pay via the TfL Pay to Drive in London app
TfL has a Pay to Drive in London app to pay the charge. It’s available from the Apple app store or Google Play. The app is free to download.
Pay by phone
Call TfL Pay to Drive in London service on 0343 222 2222 from within the UK, or +44 343 222 2222 from outside the UK.
Open: Monday—Saturday 06:00—00:00 (6am-midnight)
You will need:
- the vehicle registration number
- country of registration
- your credit/debit card details.
What is the fine for non-payment?
If you don’t pay in time, you will receive a fine (Penalty Charge Notice) of £180. This is goes down to £90 if you pay within 14 days.
Where is the ULEZ zone?
The ULEZ is a bigger area than the Congestion Charge zone in central London.
From August 2023, the area expanded to include the whole of London.
The M25 motorway is not in the ULEZ, including the section that falls within the boundary.
Is Heathrow airport in the ULEZ?
Heathrow is within the ULEZ. The charge does not apply to cars parked at the airport, however you will need to pay on the days you drive to and from the airport car park (if your car is not exempt).
If you don’t want to pay the charge, use public transport to travel to the airport.
Do I need to pay the charge if I park my car in the ULEZ?
No, the charge only applies if you actually drive your car in the ULEZ. You will need to pay to drive to and from your parking spot, but not on the days when your car is parked.
Last updated: 26 January 2024