If you need to drive in the capital and want to know more about London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), this guide will tell you everything about ULEZ compliance.
ULEZ is a scheme that aims to improve air quality in London by discouraging the use of polluting vehicles. The charge applies to non-compliant vehicles, including cars, vans, motorcycles, buses and lorries.
To check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant, you can use the ULEZ checker tool. This will tell you whether your vehicle meets the emissions standards necessary to avoid paying the ULEZ charge.
If your vehicle is not ULEZ compliant, car drivers will need to pay a daily charge of £12.50 to enter the ULEZ area.
However, some vehicles are exempt from the ULEZ charge, including electric vehicles, certain classic cars and motorcycles, and vehicles with a disabled persons’ badge – though there is a deadline for this.
Here we take a closer look at ULEZ compliance and what EVERY driver needs to know.
What is ULEZ and why is it important?
ULEZ is the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, a traffic restriction scheme designed to improve air quality in London. ULEZ compliant vehicles must meet certain emissions standards to enter it.
The standards are based on Euro emissions standards, and only vehicles that meet or exceed these standards will be allowed to enter.
ULEZ is important because it helps to improve air quality in London – a major problem in cities, and this is one way to help reduce the amount of pollution that vehicles produce.
ULEZ compliant vehicles are those that produce less pollution than non-compliant vehicles, so by restricting entry to the zone to these vehicles, the overall amount of pollution in the city is reduced.
In addition to improving air quality, ULEZ also helps to reduce noise pollution.
That’s because non-compliant vehicles tend to be louder than compliant vehicles, so the overall noise level in the city is reduced. This can help to make London a more pleasant place to live and work.
What year car qualifies for ULEZ?
All cars are subject to the rules – there is no specific year for exemptions (except for historic cars – see below).
ULEZ compliant cars must meet laid down emissions standards. The current criteria for ULEZ compliance is that a car must emit no more than 0.08g/km of NOx and meet the Euro emission standards.
Cars that meet these standards include:
- All petrol cars registered after 1 September 2015: The engine must be Euro 4 compliant
- All diesel cars registered after 1 September 2015: The engine must be Euro 6 compliant
The above rules also apply to vans, minibuses, motorcaravans and ambulances. Other exempt vehicles include:
- All electric cars
- All hybrid cars with a Euro 6 engine.
It is worth checking the TfL site because some older petrol and diesel engines will comply with the rules.
For example, many petrol cars registered after 2005 with DVLA (and some from 2001) should be compliant.
For diesel cars, those that are registered after September 2015 should meet the standards.
Certain older vehicles are also exempt from the ULEZ charge, including:
- Classic cars that were registered before 1 January 1973
- Motorcycles and mopeds that were registered before 1 July 2007
- Vehicles with a disabled persons’ badge (until October 2025).
You can find the full list of exempt vehicles on the TfL website.
The list includes military vehicles, some mobile cranes and specialist agricultural vehicles.
If your car does not meet these standards, you can still drive in the ULEZ area but will need to pay a daily charge.
There are a few key things to know about ULEZ compliance for vehicles:
- The ULEZ is enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle, rather than the age of the car.
- Petrol cars that meet ULEZ standards were generally first registered with the DVLA after 2005.
- Diesel cars must have been registered with the DVLA after September 2015.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that these are general guidelines – there may be some exceptions.
How to check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant
ULEZ compliance is mandatory for all vehicles that wish to enter the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London. The best way to check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant is to use the online tool.
To use the online tool, you will need to provide your vehicle registration number, make and model. Once you have done this, the tool will tell you if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant or not.
If your vehicle is not ULEZ compliant, you will need to pay the fee or take action to ensure that it meets the required standards. This may involve making modifications to your vehicle or changing to a different type of vehicle altogether.
If you are unsure about anything, or have any questions, the best thing to do is to contact the ULEZ team directly. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action to take.
The charges for non-compliant vehicles
If your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ standards, you will need to pay a daily charge to drive in the zone. The amount of the charge depends on the vehicle type:
- For cars, vans and motorcycles, the charge is £12.50 per day.
- For buses, coaches and lorries, the charge is £100 per day – the fee for the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
Again, these charges apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – but not Christmas Day.
There are a few ways to pay the charge. You can pay online, by phone or at a pay station. You will need to provide your vehicle registration number and payment details. We recommend you download the app.
It’s also worth noting that the ULEZ charge and applies from midnight to midnight. If you drive within the ULEZ area on two consecutive days, you will be charged for two days.
Is ULEZ just like London’s Congestion Charge?
ULEZ is similar to London’s Congestion Charge in that it is a charge for driving in a designated area. However, there are some key differences between the two:
- ULEZ applies to all vehicles, regardless of whether they are registered in London or not
- ULEZ charges are based on the emissions of the vehicle, rather than the age of the car
- ULEZ is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Congestion Charge hours are Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm.
What is London’s Congestion Charge?
London’s congestion charge is a daily fee charged for driving in the Congestion Charge Zone.
This covers an area of approximately 21 square kilometres and includes most of the city’s tourist attractions, as well as business districts such as the City of London.
The charge is £15 per day for cars and motorcycles, and £24.00 per day for buses, coaches and lorries.
Is it the same as ULEZ?
No, ULEZ is different to the London congestion charge in several ways.
The main point is that the Congestion Charge in London only applies to vehicles that enter the zone.
That means that if you do enter, you will have to pay the Congestion Charge AND the ULEZ fee.
There are some discounts and exemptions available and the details of these are on the TfL website.
FAQs about ULEZ compliance
What is ULEZ?
ULEZ means Ultra-Low Emission Zone. It’s an area of London where vehicles have to meet certain emissions standards or face paying a daily charge.
Why was ULEZ introduced?
ULEZ was introduced to improve air quality in London. Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution can have serious health effects, including respiratory problems and heart disease.
Who does ULEZ apply to?
ULEZ applies to all vehicles, regardless of whether they are registered in London or not.
What are the ULEZ standards?
Vehicles must meet certain emissions standards to be compliant with ULEZ. These standards vary depending on the type of vehicle.
How much does it cost to drive in the ULEZ?
The amount of the charge depends on the vehicle type. For cars, vans and motorcycles, the charge is £12.50 per day. For buses, coaches and lorries, the charge is £100 per day.
How do I pay the ULEZ charge?
You can pay online, by phone or at a pay station. You will need to provide your vehicle registration number and payment details.
What happens if I don’t pay the ULEZ charge?
If you don’t pay the ULEZ charge, you may be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The amount of the PCN is £160, although this is reduced to £80 if you pay within 14 days.
What are the hours of operation for ULEZ?
ULEZ is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – except for Christmas Day.
How long will ULEZ be in operation?
ULEZ was scheduled to be in operation until 2025 – but there are plans to expand the ULEZ area.
Are there any exemptions to ULEZ?
Yes, there are some exemptions to ULEZ. These include vehicles used for Blue Badge holders, emergency services and vehicles used for essential maintenance work.
