London's ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) explained

Driving in London has never been considered easy, and with the continued operation of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge, it’s getting more expensive to do so too.

The scheme has been designed to improve London’s air quality, so if your vehicle doesn’t qualify and you drive into the zone regularly, either upgrading to a ULEZ-exempt vehicle or considering the rising popularity of car-sharing could prove worthwhile. Literally millions of drivers could face fines they were completely unaware of, and that’s where we come in. We’ve put together an easy guide in order for vehicle owners to know first of all if they have to pay at all, and if they do, when to pay and how.

What is the ULEZ?

ULEZ stands for the new Ultra-Low Emission Zone covering all 32 London boroughs. It was introduced in order to help limit this pollution, along with particulate matter from combustion engines in the capital. The zone targets diesel vehicles, in particular, but it’s worth checking your vehicle’s status anyway just to be sure.

It is important to note that the ULEZ charge is applicable as well as the Congestion Charge if you enter Central London.

What is the ULEZ charge in London?

While the goal of the ULEZ is to encourage the use of cleaner vehicles, if you’re driving a non-compliant vehicle, then you’ll need to pay a daily fee to enter the zone. It’s important to remember that these charges are based on a “charging day” which runs from midnight to midnight. If you drive a non-compliant vehicle within the zone across two days (for example, driving in at 11:00 PM and leaving at 1:00 AM), you will be liable for two daily charges.

Cars, Motorcycles, and Small Vans (up to 3.5 tonnes)::£12.50 per day.
Buses, Coaches, and Lorries (over 3.5 tonnes): These vehicles are generally covered by the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rather than ULEZ, with charges reaching up to £300 per day if they do not meet the required standards.
Penalty for Non-Payment: If the daily charge isn’t paid by midnight on the third day following travel, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180 is issued (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days).
Christmas Day: The ULEZ does not operate on December 25th, making it the only day of the year you can drive a non-compliant vehicle for free.

What are the standards?

Transport for London (TFL) states it prefers the use of vehicles that meet the new emission standards. However, here are the ULEZ standards explained if you’re unsure:

The ULEZ standards are distinguished via Euro emission tiers. These tiers were introduced back in 1992 as a range of emission controls to help limit air pollution in the capital. Manufacturers must meet these standards in order for their vehicles to be approved for sale.

Motorcycles and mopeds: Must meet Euro 3 standards
Petrol cars and vans: Must meet Euro 4 standards (generally those registered after 2005)
Diesel cars and vans: Must meet Euro 6 standards (generally those registered after September 2015)
Heavy vehicles: Lorries, buses, and coaches must meet Euro VI standards

What does ULEZ-compliant mean?

ULEZ-compliant cars are those that meet the emissions standards required for London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone. If you’re unsure as to whether your vehicle falls within compliance or not, it’s always worth checking. Whether your car is exempt from the charge is dependent on vehicle size, type and its emission levels. Find out if your car meets said requirements by using the TfL vehicle checker.

Where is the ULEZ zone in London?

The ULEZ area now covers all of Greater London, encompassing every borough from Hillingdon in the west to Havering in the east, and Enfield in the north to Croydon in the south. This massive expansion, which took place in August 2023, means the zone now reaches right up to the border of the M25.

When and how to pay ULEZ

Charges apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except for Christmas Day). You must pay the charge by midnight on the third day following your journey. If your trip is well planned, you can pre-pay the charge up to 90 days in advance.

If payment isn’t received within this time frame, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be sent to you equalling £180, which is halved to £90 if you pay within 14 days. A daily fee of £12.50 will be charged for cars, motorbikes and small vans, while £100 will be sought for buses, lorries and heavier goods vehicles that do not meet LEZ standards. There are a number of ways in which you can pay the charge:

You can pay online or by calling TFL on 0343 222 2222.
You can pay through an AutoPay function, which will automatically bill you every month for any ULEZ charge or congestion charge incurred — something you can set up here.
You can also download the TFL Pay To Drive In London app to pay any charges. The app itself is free to download.
Or there’s the option of setting up a London Road User Charging account, which you can do here.

What happens if you live within the ULEZ zone?

Residents living within the ULEZ no longer receive a “grace period” or discount for non-compliant vehicles. If you live in the zone and drive a vehicle that doesn’t meet the standards, you must pay the daily £12.50 charge. However, there are still some active grace periods for specific groups:

Disabled Tax Class: Vehicles with a ‘disabled’ or ‘disabled passenger’ tax class are exempt from the ULEZ charge until October 24, 2027
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs): Registered WAVs also have a grace period until October 24, 2027
Electric Vehicles: Fully electric vehicles are % exempt from the ULEZ charge

Drive ULEZ-compliant without the cost of ownership

Navigating London’s expanding emission zones doesn’t have to mean a permanent dent in your finances or the stress of upgrading your own vehicle.

By choosing car-sharing, you can bypass the £12.50 daily charge and the overheads of traditional car ownership while still enjoying the freedom of the open road. Whether you need a compliant car for a quick essential trip or a weekend away, hiring a vehicle from a trusted neighbour in your local community can be great!

Ready to get started? You can browse and hire a car near you to find a ULEZ-compliant vehicle in minutes, or if you own a compliant car, you can list your car and earn some extra income. If you have any questions, feel free to visit our contact page to speak with our support team.