We offer a ULEZ checker that can tell you if your car meets the necessary emission standards and if there are any fees for driving in an Ultra Low Emission Zone. It is a quick and reliable way to make sure you follow the rules and avoid fees you did not expect.
How Do I Know If My Car Is ULEZ Compliant?
Based on DVLA and Transport for London data, our ULEZ checker evaluates Euro emissions compliance using your vehicle's registration number. The tool checks whether your car is low-polluting and ULEZ-compliant. Only non-compliant cars pay daily fees in the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
While our findings are based on TfL emissions requirements, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. We suggest utilising the TfL website's vehicle checker for older cars or situations needing confirmation.
ULEZ-exempt vehicles may not get an accurate compliance result from our tool. These include vehicles registered before January 1 1973, historic tax class vehicles, certain speciality vehicles (tractors, agricultural machinery, and construction equipment), and Ministry of Defence vehicles.
What is the London ULEZ?
In 2019, Transport for London (TfL) launched a tiny Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in Central London to reduce air pollution by charging the most polluting cars a daily charge.
In October 2021, the zone extended to the North and South Circular roads. In order to reduce car emissions throughout the city, TfL expanded the ULEZ to encompass all of Greater London on August 29, 2023.
Non-compliant drivers must pay £12.50 per day to enter the ULEZ. Check your vehicle's status to prevent automatic fines if you do not pay this fee.
Where Does The ULEZ Charge Apply, And When Is It Active?
All of London's areas are in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), but the M25 highway is not. Every day of the year, 24/7, except for Christmas Day (December 25). To drive in the ULEZ zone during its working hours, you have to pay £12.50 per day if your car does not meet the needed emissions standards and you are not exempt.
Which Vehicles Need To Pay The ULEZ Charge?
The ULEZ fee is for cars, bikes, vans and speciality vehicles that weigh up to 3.5 tonnes, as well as buses that weigh up to 5 tonnes.
Are There Any Exemptions From The ULEZ Charge?
Trucks, vans, and other big vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, as well as buses, taxis, and coaches over 5 tonnes, do not have to pay the ULEZ fee. That being said, if these cars do not meet the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) emission guidelines, they will have to pay the LEZ charge instead. You can also check vehicle details for any discounts and exemptions for Congestion Charge that might apply.
Do Non-UK Registered Vehicles Need To Pay The ULEZ Charge?
Non-UK registered car owners must also follow ULEZ emission rules or pay the daily fee to drive in the zone. Transport for London (TfL) must register the car before it can enter the ULEZ, even if it meets the emission guidelines.
ULEZ Scrappage Scheme: Get Paid to Upgrade Your Car
Are you thinking about scrapping your car? Households in Greater London that own a car or motorcycle that does not meet ULEZ pollution standards can use the ULEZ Car and Motorcycle Scrappage Scheme.
If you meet the requirements, you can get the following financial help:
- £1,000 for scrapping a motorcycle or moped
- £2,000 for scrapping a car
The goal of this project is to help people switch to cleaner, more eco-friendly cars and trucks so that the capital's air quality gets better. Always check vehicle details before applying to make sure you qualify for discounts and exemptions for Congestion Charge or ULEZ.
FAQs about London's ULEZ
What is the ULEZ and how does it work?
London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) requires vehicles to fulfil tight emissions criteria to drive without a daily fee. The ULEZ is open 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Missing emission standards incur a daily fee of £12.50 for most cars, motorbikes, and trucks under 3.5 tonnes.
Which areas does the ULEZ charge apply to?
Since August 29, 2023, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has extended to include the M25 and all of Greater London. Thus, non-compliant drivers in this extended zone must pay a daily fee.
How can I check if I need to pay the ULEZ charge?
If you drive into the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) with a car that does not satisfy emissions requirements, TfL will charge you. It is not possible to enter the zone with a non-compliant car since ANPR cameras monitor it. Unless you pay the daily fee before midnight on the third day after your travel, you will get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £160, which may be reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
Enter your car registration number above to use our ULEZ checker and check vehicle details to prevent unexpected costs. You will know whether your car is subject to ULEZ.
Which cars are exempt from ULEZ charges?
Petrol and diesel cars exempt from ULEZ charges must fulfil Euro 4 or Euro 6 emissions criteria. ULEZ daily charges do not apply to low-emission and zero-emission vehicles like fully electric cars. Some older hybrids, especially those made before 2015, may not fulfil the rules and suffer a fee. Before entering the ULEZ, verify your vehicle's compliance.
How do I find out if my car is ULEZ compliant?
Use our ULEZ checker to quickly check vehicle compliance. We will inform you whether your car fulfils the Ultra Low Emission Zone emissions criteria by entering your registration number.
Our tool uses DVLA data and TfL emissions criteria to assess whether your car is exempt from ULEZ costs or must pay a daily fee to operate in the zone.
Where exactly is the ULEZ zone in London?
On August 29, 2023, the ULEZ extended to all London boroughs. Any driver of a non-compliant car in Greater London must now pay the ULEZ penalty.
How do I check if my vehicle meets Euro 6 standards?
Find out whether your car passes Euro 6 emissions criteria using our ULEZ tester. Euro 6-compliant cars made after September 2015 may drive in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for free.
Vehicle registration paperwork may include compliance information. The fastest and most accurate option is to input your registration number into our ULEZ check tool. It will validate the ULEZ exemption if your car satisfies Euro 6 standards.
Does my motorcycle meet Euro 3 emissions standards?
Euro 3 emissions make your motorbike ULEZ-compliant and free to ride in the Ultra Low Emission Zone. Enter your vehicle's registration number into our ULEZ checker to verify status.
Is my motorcycle compliant with Euro 5 regulations?
The EU will exclusively sell Euro 5 bikes from 2021. All motorcycles sold after this date are Euro 5 and ULEZ compliant.
Check your registration papers or contact the manufacturer to validate your motorcycle's emissions level if you bought it before 2021.
ULEZ requires Euro 3 compliance for motorbikes but Euro 6 for vehicles. Motorcycles made before 2000 that satisfy Euro 3 may still be free from ULEZ.
Which new areas were included in the 2023 ULEZ expansion?
TfL created London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2019, but originally confined it to the North and South Circular Roads. On August 29, 2023, the ULEZ extended to encompass all London boroughs up to the M25.
ULEZ-compliant vehicles are exempt from fees in this expanded zone. If your car does not satisfy emissions standards, you must pay the entire ULEZ daily penalty.
Use our ULEZ checker to verify your vehicle's compliance. Enter your registration number to quickly check whether your vehicle satisfies emission standards and if you must pay for driving in Greater London.
When did the ULEZ expansion take place?
Since August 29, 2023, driving a car that does not satisfy emissions standards in any Greater London borough will incur a daily ULEZ fee. The extended Ultra Low Emission Zone encompasses Greater London.
How can I tell if I've entered the ULEZ zone?
All Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) entrances are marked with signs. Drivers entering the ULEZ region should look for green signs with "ULEZ" in a white circle at every border.
What is the current ULEZ daily charge?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fees in London depend on the vehicle type, emissions standard, and ULEZ boundaries. Most non-compliant automobiles, motorbikes, and vans pay £12.50 per day for ULEZ as of September 2021.
The price applies 24/7/365, including weekends and public holidays, except on Christmas Day. Any non-compliant vehicle entering the ULEZ day or night must pay the daily penalty.
How does Transport for London (TfL) enforce ULEZ regulations?
TfL enforces Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards via an automated camera network across the whole zone. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras record vehicle registration numbers entering, leaving, or driving in the ULEZ.
A database checks a vehicle's number plate to see whether it fulfils emissions guidelines. TfL sends the registered owner a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if the vehicle is non-compliant and the daily ULEZ penalty is unpaid. The typical penalty is £160, but £80 if paid within 14 days.
What are the ways to pay the ULEZ charge?
There are many handy ULEZ payment methods. TfL's free AutoPay system can automatically cover ULEZ, LEZ, and Congestion Charge payments. This helps drivers avoid late payments and penalties.
TfL's online ULEZ payment platform lets you pay for particular travel dates swiftly and securely.
Which vehicles qualify for a ULEZ exemption?
Due to their low or zero emissions, certain cars are exempt from ULEZ. This includes:
Fully electric vehicles
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles that meet the required emissions standards
- Euro 6-compliant diesel vehicles
- Euro 4-compliant petrol vehicles
- Electric motorcycles and scooters
These cars may drive in the ULEZ without a daily fee since they meet or surpass TfL emissions criteria. You should verify your vehicle's compliance status using an official ULEZ checker to validate exemption eligibility.
How much can I get from the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
London Mayor Sadiq Khan proposed a £2,000 ULEZ scrappage subsidy on August 22, 2023, to assist citizens in replacing non-compliant automobiles.
Any London home with a non-compliant vehicle or motorbike may utilise this service. The award supports ULEZ-compliant vehicle cleaner changeover. The initiative should cost £160 million.
What are the latest details of the ULEZ scrappage scheme for 2023?
The government-backed 2023 ULEZ scrappage project encourages the replacement of older, higher-emission cars with cleaner, lower-emission ones. The plan gives financial incentives to individuals and families who scrap non-compliant cars and upgrade to ULEZ-compliant ones to enhance London air quality.
Does my van need to pay ULEZ, LEZ, or the Congestion Charge?
Your van's emissions standard determines ULEZ liability. In the Ultra Low Emission Zone, you must pay a daily fee if your vehicle is not Euro 4 or newer for petrol vans and Euro 6 for diesel vans. Checking your vehicle's compliance might prevent unwanted costs.
