Skip to main content
2026 Member Event

Understanding ULEZ: Ultra Low Emission Zone

  • Updated

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is a London-wide initiative aimed at reducing air pollution by encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles. It applies to most vehicles driving within the zone and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays (except Christmas Day).

 

Where does ULEZ apply?

As of August 2023, ULEZ covers all London boroughs and the City of London, extending far beyond the original central zone. The M25 motorway is not included.

If you drive within this area and your vehicle doesn’t meet the required emissions standards, you’ll need to pay a daily charge.

 

How ULEZ works

ULEZ is enforced using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. These cameras check your vehicle against a database to determine if it meets emissions standards.

If your vehicle doesn’t comply:

  • You’ll be charged a daily fee.
  • Failure to pay may result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.

Check whether your vehicle is subject to ULEZ charges. 

 

ULEZ charges

ULEZ charging days run from midnight to midnight, every day of the year (except Christmas Day).

The daily charge is £12.50 and applies to:

  • Cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes)
  • Minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes)

Buses, coaches and minibuses over 5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) do not need to pay the ULEZ charge.

The following vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW also do not need to pay the ULEZ charge. However, these vehicles will need to pay the London-wide LEZ charge if it does not meet the LEZ emissions standards.

  • HGVs
  • Lorries
  • Vans
  • Removal lorries
  • Other specialist vehicles

Check whether your vehicle is subject to ULEZ charges.

For more detailed information, please refer to the TfL ULEZ website.

 

How to pay

You can pay the ULEZ charge using one of the following methods:

 

Related articles